Greetings. A quick 0900 stop at the Refuge Visitor Center, amid light snow
flurries, modest NW winds 8-12 and temps in the mid-30s, found the male
brooding facing S. Fresh waterfowl prey was visible at the S end of the
nest platform and white body feathers could be seen snagged on twigs about
the SE quadrant of the nest. The male was unusually still as he brooded and
for a few moments I doubted my ID as his back seemed quite spangled in the
morning light. He was frequently vocal, 0915, 0917 and 0919. Yet his size,
primary/tail overlap and upright brooding posture with carpal joint away
from his body said male. The return of the female at 0920 erased any doubt.
The male promptly left and the female ate from the carcass for several
minutes before brooding facing S at 0924. While the female ate, the older
chick, which today appeared lighter in color from the back than the younger,
stood erect, prepared to be fed. The younger was alert, but remained low in
the nest, apparently content, certainly not weak. When the female maneuvered
into position to brood at 0924, she was very careful with her right tarsus
and talons to move the younger chick toward her upper breast and to the
center of the nest cup.
The male returned for no more than 30sec at 0927 for no apparent purpose.
He perched near the carcass, but left without eating or apparently
interacting with the female.
The brooding female did much wiggling and squiggling until 0945 as she
brooded and gradually shifted SW and then back to the S. She also moved the
feather tracts on her back and neck periodically. After 1001 she became
very still and remained so. At 1028 she moved off the chicks and fed until
1035. Each chick ate substantial helpings of waterfowl with the older chick
receiving a third more morsels. The younger chick ate 9x and the viewers
present sighed each time the chick was fed! At no time during the feeding
was there any show of aggression between the siblings. They remained with
their backs to the lens for most of the feeding in similar erect posture,
side-by-side. The size difference between the chicks is very modest (and
perhaps diminishing). Time will tell. The female resumed brooding at 1035
facing SW. I left thereafter.
Today I brought my Nikon 990 digital camera to the Center. Good pics were
obtained form the digital monitor on the low panel with the camera on manual
settings, no flash. Results from the TV set are unsatisfactory.
Peter Doherty
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