Well, the Terns have started to hatch, with the first seen yesterday and others today.
I watched one emerging this morning from its shell in a trail-side nest.
The number of nests is greater than earlier thought, likely in line with last year.
150 nests, perhaps as many as 200, seems a reasonable estimate.
Now the race is on to reach fledging without food shortages or adverse weather.
The Gannets have two nests, one exactly where the earlier nest was lost to wave action.
In spite of several days of social and sexual activity at that nest and a Gannet usually sitting on it, there was no egg present at dawn today. Nor are any Gannets staying there through the night, only returning about sunrise each morning.
The other Gannet nest is active, occupied day and night, being steadily upgraded with new nest material (usually Rockweed) and most importantly, it contains an egg.
That nest is only about 25-30 yards from two of our visitor blinds so quite a few tourists are enjoying the dividend of the Gannet's elaborate social interaction whenever nest material is delivered or the pair exchange roles on the nest.
The chance of the nest surviving at water's edge is effectively zero. Even a very small tempest will wash it away.
The other nest isn't at risk from the sea and Gannets are known for their fearlessness when nesting so human activity shouldn't be a problem. (Activity, including research work, near the nest has been restricted.)
I suspect that these Gannets are inexperienced and starting their nesting a couple months late could affect their success.
And then there's always the risk of predation ...............
Regardless of the obstacles, the possibility of Gannets returning to their historical breeding range is appealing.
The RAZORBILL & MURRE hatches are well advanced and the PUFFINS aren't too far behind. So far, the food being delivered seems to be reasonable quality and it is of appropriate size.
There's not much happening with other species. SPOTTED SANDPIPER and SAVANNAH SPARROW young have yet to appear.
LAUGHING GULLS do fly-bys every day and two were seen to land yesterday in a potential nesting area on the Southern part of the island.
The BLACK TERN wasn't very evident today or yesterday. Perhaps it has tired of chasing ARCTIC TERNS seeking a mate. Or perhaps it has decided to nest by itself like two other Black Terns did in the past.
Now that's a species that I'd like to see established here.
Raptor activity has been relatively low although today I watched a PEREGRINE FALCON strike, wound & knock down a Tern over the water. It then made pass after pass trying to retrieve its meal.
It was interesting to see how single-minded it was, ignoring hundreds of other birds on the water, some within mere feet of the Tern, while focusing on the chosen prey.
The Tern was grabbed several times but the falcon couldn't maintain its grip on the water-heavy, struggling victim.
Time was on the falcon's side. Eventually, after dozens of attacks, the Falcon kept the Tern in its talons long enough to get to shore.
The other Terns were not well pleased.
I watched one emerging this morning from its shell in a trail-side nest.
The number of nests is greater than earlier thought, likely in line with last year.
150 nests, perhaps as many as 200, seems a reasonable estimate.
Now the race is on to reach fledging without food shortages or adverse weather.
The Gannets have two nests, one exactly where the earlier nest was lost to wave action.
In spite of several days of social and sexual activity at that nest and a Gannet usually sitting on it, there was no egg present at dawn today. Nor are any Gannets staying there through the night, only returning about sunrise each morning.
The other Gannet nest is active, occupied day and night, being steadily upgraded with new nest material (usually Rockweed) and most importantly, it contains an egg.
That nest is only about 25-30 yards from two of our visitor blinds so quite a few tourists are enjoying the dividend of the Gannet's elaborate social interaction whenever nest material is delivered or the pair exchange roles on the nest.
The chance of the nest surviving at water's edge is effectively zero. Even a very small tempest will wash it away.
The other nest isn't at risk from the sea and Gannets are known for their fearlessness when nesting so human activity shouldn't be a problem. (Activity, including research work, near the nest has been restricted.)
I suspect that these Gannets are inexperienced and starting their nesting a couple months late could affect their success.
And then there's always the risk of predation ...............
Regardless of the obstacles, the possibility of Gannets returning to their historical breeding range is appealing.
The RAZORBILL & MURRE hatches are well advanced and the PUFFINS aren't too far behind. So far, the food being delivered seems to be reasonable quality and it is of appropriate size.
There's not much happening with other species. SPOTTED SANDPIPER and SAVANNAH SPARROW young have yet to appear.
LAUGHING GULLS do fly-bys every day and two were seen to land yesterday in a potential nesting area on the Southern part of the island.
The BLACK TERN wasn't very evident today or yesterday. Perhaps it has tired of chasing ARCTIC TERNS seeking a mate. Or perhaps it has decided to nest by itself like two other Black Terns did in the past.
Now that's a species that I'd like to see established here.
Raptor activity has been relatively low although today I watched a PEREGRINE FALCON strike, wound & knock down a Tern over the water. It then made pass after pass trying to retrieve its meal.
It was interesting to see how single-minded it was, ignoring hundreds of other birds on the water, some within mere feet of the Tern, while focusing on the chosen prey.
The Tern was grabbed several times but the falcon couldn't maintain its grip on the water-heavy, struggling victim.
Time was on the falcon's side. Eventually, after dozens of attacks, the Falcon kept the Tern in its talons long enough to get to shore.
The other Terns were not well pleased.
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