Garden Wildlife UK

Both thriving, growing well and very healthy.

Loch Arkaig

I wasn't able to see the smallest chick for some time.

"The two remaining chicks on Nest 2 continue to thrive. The smallest chick died one week ago today without obvious cause."

Now I know.

I hadn't viewed this nest as often as Poole Harbour so I missed a lot.

The four chicks at Poole Harbour are very active this morning, All have a full crop.

Poole Harbour

Mum and the four chicks lined up in the nest. Dad on branch just behined nest. Lovely family group

The true story at Loch of the Lowes.

https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/ne ... both-eggs/

Great shot just now at Poole Harbour. Shows the difference in size between all the chicks - first to hatch to last to hatch.

LF25 was incubating two eggs when another female landed on the nest trying to claim it for herself. Battle royal took place during which one of the eggs rolled out the nest. LF25 eventually repelled the intruder and returned to incubating the solitary egg which must have got hidden during the melee....

Loch of the Lowes

No birds, no eggs. What has happened?

Only one egg at Loch of the Lowes. This is a young pair, probably their first season. There were two eggs but one got damaged when a fish was being brought in. Damaged egg was eventually rolled out of the nest.

Another feeding time over at Poole Harbour. Chick Four is getting some food but I am not sure how much. It looks healthy enough but small. Still a concern.