Mom just flew out when I arrived. Babies pretty quiet. A lot of preening of those downy feathers. Getting rid of those and the adult plumage is coming in very nicely and quickly too. Doing a lot of branching. This is were the young are now moving to the edge of the nest and actually hopping out onto the branches around the immediate nest. Mom flew in but without food. She went to the big pine tree behind the neighbouring house. She had a rest and a lovely preening session. She then all of a sudden started vocalizing and flew up the street. She flushed a crow out of the pine trees up there and chased it off. The crows also have a family nearby. But are not tolertated to be near at all. They are a threat to the young merlins in the nest. The crows wasted no time in moving on however. No match for the speed and aggression of the mother merlin protecting her young.
She then dissappeared. The young were now hopping from branch to branch around the nest,yawning and being very busy. We had some people visit. Had some children today to and they wanted to view the merlins and asked questions. I let them look through the video camera and they were amazed. It was lovely to watch them now that they are getting more mobile. Fran & I had to be in Bracebridge for a bat workshop so we had to go. Was hard to pull ourselves away at this time of great change with the young eyas.
9:58
Packing up. We heard both parents up the street. They were in sight. A food exchange in mid air took place between male and female adult.It was spectacular. The young got so exited. One jumping in and out of the nest jumping up and down and actually getting airborn in the nest. Flapping it's wings to beat the band. A lot of excitement we hadn't seen before. Male flew down the street calling out all the way until he was out of sight. The female flew in behind the tree and was vocalizing. And the young were going crazy. Appears the male brings the food and gives it to the female while in flight. It really is a spectacular sight to see. This time female flew over and dropped the food into the nest for the little ones to fight over and left. Not much room in their now for Momma merlin. The young went nuts over this and were so loud and active. Tugging this way and that for who was going to get this tasty morsel.
10:10
We had to leave now. But all is quiet again. Not a lot of time taken to devour that little bird between 4 growing youngsters. Parents were still nearby and calling out to one another. Mom always sits in the tree briefly before flying in and dropping off the food in the nest. Is really getting interesting and active. Another hot day on the way with highs of 28 deg C. I feel one of the nestlings will be fledging real soon. Possibly in the next couple days. They all get very active and loud when parent's arrive with food. It is so incredible to be a part of such an experience.
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