LATEST NEWS

Update for Friday, May 3, 2024

The third hatch occurred at about 10:55 AM on Friday morning – or at least that’s when the new chick was first seen. It was still pink and wet, so it had to be a recent hatch. Astrid stayed tight on the clutch until finally getting up at about 12:30 PM. By that time the hatchling had dried off and looked as fluffy white as its siblings. Ares came in to babysit a minute after Astrid left and he got his chance to view the new member of the family for the first time. Astrid soon came back in with food. Ares left and she conducted a feeding. The new chick was still too weak to partake, but the other two vied well. The hatchling toppled over at one point during the feeding which is typical

Update for Thursday, May 2, 2024

Today, Astrid oversaw numerous feeding sessions with the two hatchlings. However, uncertainty still lingers regarding whether a third egg will hatch. Our current understanding suggests that the hatched eggs were numbers 2 and 3 in the laying sequence, implying that the first-laid egg, number 1, may be infertile. If the potentially pipped egg is indeed the fourth laid, there remains a chance of it being fertile, with several days remaining in its hatch window. At dawn, Ares brought a Black-billed Cuckoo to the nest. True to her nature, Astrid showed no interest in the offering, as she has never favored cuckoos. As a matter of fact they rank among her top three least favorite prey items, alongside Woodcocks and Bats. The presence of the cuckoo was surprising, considering they usually arrive later in May. Later in the afternoon, during a feeding session, Ares provided shade for the chicks and eggs while Astrid conducted a feeding. This showcased an excellent demonstration of cooperative chick rearing.

Update for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Just before 6:30 AM we could see that there was definitely a hole in a second egg. Sure enough. At 9:08 AM Astrid pulled a broken eggshell from underneath her. Twenty minutes later we saw the new hatchling for the first time but only a second as she promptly tucked it beneath her. It was still pink and wet. Ten minutes later it had dried out and fluffed up and was as pure white as the first chick. In the early afternoon, Astrid brought in some leftovers and conducted a feeding. The new nestling was seen to eat a small amount before toppling over. Ares got a few chances to babysit the chicks. As usual, before brooding them, he spent some time looking at them like they were from another planet. He understands eggs a lot better than he understands squirming babies. During one of the switches, we discerned what we believed to be holes in one of the other eggs. This has not been confirmed yet, but we believe we may have another pipped egg.

Update for Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Today, the first hatch of the season occurred between 12:38 and 12:45 PM, unveiling a freshly hatched, damp, rosy chick at precisely 12:45 PM. Astrid shielded the hatchling from view by promptly tucking it beneath her. Subsequently, she retrieved the fractured eggshell from beneath her and intermittently nibbled on it throughout the afternoon. Around 2:50 PM, Ares arrived at the nest and insisted on having a turn with the clutch. Witnessing the hatchling for the first time, he looked a bit confounded. He then took on the role of babysitter briefly. Later in the day, he brought in food, which Astrid duly accepted. After having a share she proceeded to conduct the first feeding of the chick. Despite its unsteady footing, the hatchling persevered and between tumbles, managing to partake in a few bites. Notably, there appears to be a potential pip on one of the remaining three eggs, although confirmation is pending.

Update for Monday, April 29, 2024

Astrid began shuffling the eggs at about 6:30 PM this evening. This is something she does to induce hatching. Possibly she was hearing a chick calling from inside an egg and perhaps feeling it move. At one point when she came off the clutch to dig in the corner of the box, we noticed what appeared to be a pip in one of the eggs. This means we may have a hatch as early as tonight or as late as tomorrow night. If it happens tonight, it would be the earliest hatch we’ve ever had at this nest.