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Recent Events

June 3

Sunday 15th: there was some concern amongst our visitors that H/D was not feeding the third, smallest, chick, but it seemed to be well enough. First thing on Monday, again chick three did not seem to be getting fed. However late in the afternoon it was fed until its crop bulged! It was noticed that H/D had two of her large, primary, wing feathers sticking out at an odd angle. Has she been involved in some sort of fight, perhaps with the crows? She doesn't seem to be upset or unwell at all. EP brought in a huge amount of cut grass during the afternoon, for the nest. He must have been following the tractors cutting the silage!

First thing Tuesday we saw H/D feeding herself before she settled down to  protect the chicks from the cold wind that was blowing across the nest. EP brought a fish late morning. Late afternoon the chicks had their first experience of  rain - it's been very dry here in Galloway for the last six weeks. The next day H/D was preening first thing, before her growing family started to demand food. Chick 1 being still asleep, chick 2 was fed first, then chick 3 got a share. This small chick is learning to get more demanding, and although it is getting less than its siblings, it does seem to be getting enough.

Thursday 19th, and first thing the two larger chicks were sleeping, with chick 3 alert and looking around. H/D returned to the nest shortly, but there was no sign of any fish. The morning passed peacefully, and all three chicks were seen being fed early in the afternoon on a trout. The male returned to the nest and took the remainder of the fish. Later on it was quite windy, and H/D was brooding the chicks to keep  them warm. Mid evening all three chicks got another meal. First thing Friday, H/D was again seen feeding all the chicks,  so chick 3 seems to be holding its own. The oldest chick, which is now 2 weeks old, is starting to develope feathers, and looks so much more mature tham chick 3,  although it's only four days older. This large chick is now starting to move around the nest, if somewhat clumsily. Late afternoon we again saw all three chicks fed.

The week ended with some very windy, wet and cold weather, although EP was still managing to catch fish, which we saw H/D feeding to the chicks in the morning. She then gathered them underneath her, out of the rain. EP brought more fish in the evening, so the bad weather doesn't seem to be affecting his ability to bring in food for his (rapidly) growing family.