Subdued by the weather or gone before the wind, either way it's
looking like the migration is mostly passed.
Yesterday, except for our resident species, I saw no warblers, one
flycatcher, 2 tree sparrows and one robin.
The Terns still return with inclement weather and today and yesterday
has seen perhaps 200 to 250 going through the motions of courtship and
breeding.
I have no reason to hope for any breeding success although I expect
that we may to see a few eggs,as with other years.
I've been asked if I thought the lack of Terns has allowed or
contributed to the Gannet nesting but after watching the Tern's
reaction for a couple of days I'm inclined to believe that the Terns &
Gannets can co-exist, at least when the Gannets are on the fringe of
the Tern colony. I watched Gannets landing 8 times yesterday after
long, level approaches directly over a concentration of Terns and the
Terns showed no notice.
The Gannet(s) were bringing in more nesting material yesterday. I
would like to hope for a 2nd nest but the site is only partly
observable and I'm and I rather think it was just additional material
beinging added to the original nest.
For the benefit of those unfamiliar with Gannet breeding (like me),
this is the time-line for this nest.
Egg laid: June 1st.
Incubation: 42-46 days. Generally 43 days.
Hatch date: July 12th - July 16th.
Brooding: Approximately 90 days. October 10th.
I understand (from on-line sources) that Gannets don't fledge in the
common sense of a first flight. Rather, too fat to fly, they leap
overboard and start their migration swimming and living off their fat
reserves until they lose weight, learn to fly and to feed themselves.
I have posted a photo of the nest and egg taken while the egg was
still wet.
http://www.pbase.com/image/143784585
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