Black Stork Nest in Karula 2022

[Swenja]

18:08 Kaia is here!





Karl II flies away from the curved branch.



Kaia covers the eggs.

[Swenja]

She rolls the eggs.



She finds the right position and



covers the eggs.

[Swenja]

Is that haze in the forest or does the camera fog up?



It's probably the camera that's fogging up

[Swenja]

21:31 Karl II comes home





21:32 Kaia goes onto the terrace.

[Swenja]

21:33 She flies away. Karl II covers the eggs.

Kaia is clearly visible!


21:34 night vision turns on.

[Swenja]

May 21

Good morning!

It has stopped raining.

[Swenja]

09:03 Kaia comes home. Karl II flies away.





He fetches nesting material.

[Swenja]

Karl II brings moss and a branch.



Karl II has too much momentum when landing.
He almost steps on Kaia.

[Swenja]

And he's gone again.



Back with a branch.



Kaia touches Karl IIs feathers. He'll preen up a little.



09:30 Karl II flies away.

[Swenja]

Karl II is back again with moss.

What are you doing Karl II? Don't step on Kaia!




He brings a branch, moss and grass.

[Swenja]

Back with another branch.



He brings dry grass and moss.



Karl II brings many branches.

[Swenja]

Karl II nibbles on Kaia.

[Swenja]

Karl II brings 3 branches again and build a fence.

[Swenja]

Karl II brings moss again.



Kaia talks to Karl II.


He flies away.

[Swenja]

Who is there?

[Swenja]

attempt to land
Kaia defends.





Stranger landed on the branch on the back right.



12:30 The stranger is still sitting on the branch.He preening his feathers.

[Swenja]

The stranger flies a farewell round in front of the nest.

I hope you stay away now and don't come back.






12:36 The stranger flies away through the forest.

[Swenja]

Kaia staggers. She didn't pay much attention to the one egg. And that's why she stumbled.

[Anne7]

Hi everyone

Swenja, thank you very much for the incredibly good and fast documentation!
Wonderful and very clear images! It’s a joy to see your posts.

I was also following the intruder event, but by the time I had taken the necessary screenshots, your images had already been posted. My images would only disrupt the chronology and be an unnecessary repetition of what you posted. I’m far too slow, as usual...
You are very fast and very accurate!

I hope that the unwelcome visitor will stay away! In less than a week we can expect the hatching. Poor Kaia, all this stress must be very unpleasant and tiring. Lots of adrenaline!





Yes, that stumbling/staggering ... I've noticed repeatedly that it seems to happen when one of the eggs is lying on top of her toes, often after she just got up. At a certain moment Kaia wants to move, but hardly dares to lift that foot. She can't walk very well that way of course, stumbles and startles. (That is just how I interpret it.) I have also observed this happening with Karl II, a few times.

Unfortunately, I have very little time for the forum at the moment. Hopefully there will be some more “free time” soon.

[Anne7]

Anne, Swenja
it's probably the call of an ural owl (?)

Many thanks, Balistar.
Yes, you are certainly right. It sounded exactly like that.
Sorry for replying late.
And thanks for your pictures/observations too!

I don't know if Ural owls are a big threat to (small) BS chicks? Hopefully not!
Kaia was very alarmed in any case. These are large owls.

I read that Ural owls mainly feed on rodents (such as voles) and other small mammals, but that they (occasionally) also prey on smaller birds (pigeons, swallows, starlings ...).