Christine, Terry, Judy......This is unbelievably fascinating! Yes, it appears that this young male wants to be the new provider and is starting to establish territory. Hopefully he can teach the chicks to fish.

I just about jumped when I saw y'all had 5 on the nest! We will see, eh?
smiles,
carolyn

Never a dull moment, Carolyn.

To those with more experience: should we post a link to this development on the enmax FB page? I can do so easily but don't want to create any problems.

I've been recording for over an hour; just after the adult brought in a fish. One of the chicks was at the 1 position mantling and was quite aggressive towards the parent. There was a whole lot of squawking, mantling and flapping going on when the 2nd adult brought in a fish. The other 2 chicks were scrambling trying to get the fish and the successful one dragged it across the nest to the other side and started eating. The adults didn't stay in the nest very long. The 3rd chick on the left side of the nest seemed to be picking and pulling at something but I didn't get a good view of what it was. There is enough fish in the nest for 6 chicks but I guess the 3rd chick will have to wait until the other 2 have had their fill before it can eat. It looks like the 2 who have been eating are taking a rest or have had enough. The 3rd chick on the left snuck over between the other 2 with the fish. They were all looking up and squawking. I have uploaded some videos from Sunday and a few from this morning to my YouTube channel and you can view them by clicking the link in my signature line. I'm still recording and will post the videos of the recent feeding frenzy soon.

Thanks, Kay!!


4;52pm they seem a bit edgy. the chick from 7 has moved in to the middle of the nest and seems to have finished his fish. the others are 'mantling their food and looking all around

@ 4:54pm

I was away, but video going. Except for the half hour before 242pm when the adult landed.

I have played it in slow motion. The adult at the 10:30 position is not Mom. Not sure who it is yet. I will make some comparison of head markings after I post all this. It is a bit confusing.
2:42pm
Adult male at 10:30 - chick standing close to him chick at 7:30 corner has fish from earlier delivery by Mom

2:46pm
Adult male loses balance - The chick next to him at 9:00 must have taken the fish at this time. Chick next to male moves toward center nest - male follows. Chick has a large fish - evidently got from the male

3:10pm
Chick moves to 4:30 position - fans out protecting fish.

Sassyk, I'm still trying to catch up here - did it look to you as if both of the adults brought fish? If the male (who is smaller and has a white chest) brought a fish to the chicks of the female he's trying to court, that would be a very interesting development.

Terry, I'm not a regular here either, but my thought is to wait until Kay's video is ready so they can see who did what. Thanks for the suggestion!

7:05 pm
Chicks are still on the defensive.

3:48pm

Male made an attempt to take the fish from the chick at 1:00 spot. A bit of a noisy confrontation - some wing flaps - chick kept the fish.

3:50pm
Mom inbound with a fish


3:50pm
Mom lands and the two adults stare at each other


Chick takes fish from Mom and now there are 2 adults 3 chicks and 3 fish
3:50pm

5:13pm still lots of fish left for the eater at 3oclock spot.

@ 5:11pm


5:17pm eater at 11oclock spot has moved down to about 6oclock spot.