Black Stork nest in Portugal

[garina do mar]

Three! Yes. You said it!

I think the other Blac Stork, femail I suppose, has spent today more time on the nest than on any other day. Yet they have returned one after the other most times of the returnings during the day. But last time it seemed to me that the first seemed to return at 19:55 and the second at about 20:42.

One question: What do you think, what if there are Ruppells or some other eagles flying near the nest, could they threaten the Black Stork's nestlings? Black Storks leave their chick alone quite soon.. Is there reasn to be worried?

I think you're right about her staying in the nest. And she didn't find necessary to bring more branches and moss, just to fix everything.
About Ruppell and other birds, they live together there since many years so they are used to each other

[Olga]

garina do mar:

About Ruppell and other birds, they live together there since many years so they are used to each other

Good! This was just what I thought that it must be this way! It could even be possible that Ruppels and Black Storks are able to nest on a same rock, the other bird's nest might be just behind the corner in the same 'apartment house'.

[Olga]

I see from my pics that the other Black Stork went into the nest about at 21:33, was there at 22.30 and he still is there next to her. Moon is bright, brilliants glitter on the river. There are they both in the dark shadow, sleeping in calm. It's 23:40

firefox 2009-03-08 23-37-13-07.jpg

[garina do mar]

Yes, I think you are right. In Portuguese they have the same name: the blackbird (turdus merula) is called Melro and the monticola solitarius is called Melro Azul.

grifos 090223 3 1537.jpg

http://www.avesdeportugal.info/monsol.html

One more from the bird

[garina do mar]

A Silver river bathes the BS nest

[lynx.pardallus]

Beautiful "melro" (Turdus merula)

After all it's a "melro-azul" (Monticola solitarius)

[garina do mar]

BS are both in the nest
They didn't left yet this morning. One is preparing the nest, the other "taking care" but it seems that they do shifts in their jobs
Some images:
The first two from their waking up and the last one from their "working" morning

[Olga]

Good morning Yes, they have been on the nest the all the morning. Th other one makes short walks nearby, was streching wings, but then goes back on the nest. She is adjusting branches, moss and sticks. Shun is shining!

wmplayer 2009-03-09 09-47-06-43.jpg

wmplayer 2009-03-09 10-24-36-71.jpg

wmplayer 2009-03-09 10-40-17-81.jpg

[Olga]

Good morning, how are you.

wmplayer 2009-03-09 11-06-34-64.jpg

Now at 11:12 the male seems to have left for food.

What a wonderful morning..

wmplayer 2009-03-09 11-13-34-56.jpg

wmplayer 2009-03-09 11-20-18-29.jpg

[Olga]

I will follow him where ever he may go...

Both gone at 11:22 (09:22 in Portugal)

wmplayer 2009-03-09 11-21-41-57.jpg

[garina do mar]

The first BS left at 09:12 UTC, and the second one, after some minutes admiring the river left at 09:22 UTC. Time for breakfast

[lynx.pardallus]

Good morning
The departure of the second Black Stork, at 09h22 (UTC)

[Olga]

At 11:55 (09:55 Portugal) the other one seems to have returned. I think it is she - Have you noticed that the colour of the legs of the female are not as red as the legs of the male?

wmplayer 2009-03-09 11-56-17-40.jpg

colour_differences.JPG

[garina do mar]

Have you noticed that the colour of the legs of the female are not as red as the legs of the male?

For what I just saw: they mating again I think it is the other way: the female has legs more red then the male. And it was him who stayed in the nest after mating

[Olga]

For what I just saw: they mating again I think it is the other way: the female has legs more red then the male. And it was him who stayed in the nest after mating

Yes! You are propably right, it's other way round!

Great, beutiful I almost saw it, but missed, got only two pics of the mating.. at 16:13 (14:13 in Portugal)

I was on the door of my PC room, and saw: now!!
I jumped three meters to press the Fraps-key..

wmplayer 2009-03-09 16-13-15-37.jpg

wmplayer 2009-03-09 16-13-21-82.jpg

[macdoum]

I see one stork in the nest. Standing, twitching tail-feathers. Maybe she's thinking about laying an egg ?? Hope she sits down for THAT. !!
Other stork standing nearby.
Carmel a member of SHOW

[garina do mar]

I see one stork in the nest. Standing, twitching tail-feathers. Maybe she's thinking about laying an egg ?? Hope she sits down for THAT. !!
Other stork standing nearby.
Carmel a member of SHOW

The problem is that the stork that is on the nest is the male

[Olga]

The problem is that the stork that is on the nest is the male

You are so sure about it. OK; I believe you! It is not too bad to be wrong too! So those who know more can correct the mistakes. That's the old way to learn! And repetition is the mother of learning, if someone does not learn at once, or forgets too soon like me..

[garina do mar]

The mating of 14:13 UTC (1/2)

[garina do mar]

The mating of 14:13 UTC (2/2)