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Recent Events

Chick No1 Hatched

At 07.48h our first chick broke out of its egg and revealed itself to the world!

After several days of fidgeting and nest preparation by H/D and EP the first signs of our egg actually hatching were yesterday afternoon ( 1st June 2009 ) at approx 16.20h when a V shaped crack was spotted across one of the eggs.

After an evening of close monitoring and top tension the chick finally broke through at approx 07.48h panting after its exertion. The chick seems big and strong and was even holding its head up which is great news! EP put in a flying visit to view the new arrival whilst a doting mum watched at the edge of the nest.

After about an hour the chick was seen again, poking its head above the greenery that is currently growing right in front of the camera,  looking fluffier and almost holding its head up looking over the edge of the nest cup and H/D moved the broken egg shell out of the nest cup to the side to make more space for the new arrival and the other eggs.

EP also stood to the side of the nest watching and observing and even attempted to sit on the remaining eggs and the chick but at the last minute changed his mind preferring to move sticks and dried seaweed around to the edge of the nest cup and the edge of the nest. After about 45  minutes he flew off and left H/D sitting and basking in the warm sunshine.

Although we are still waiting for the chick to feed the chick seems healthy and now we must just watch and wait for the other two eggs to hatch which we anticipate in the next few days.

Nail biting stuff.

 

Wanda Campbell

Seasonal Wildlife Attendant