Nest #4 status and archive, 2007-08

Nest #4. This pair was in our study last year and raised two chicks. The band number on the female is 00293. She is now 14 years old. She has used this nest for the last 4 seasons and her mate is likely the same bird. Her sub-colony is a flat area with no large rocks around for protection against the Skuas, however this nest has neighbors on all sides to help fend off attacks. The female laid her first egg on Nov 22, her second on Nov 24, then left the nest in the care of the male. The first chick hatched on Dec 27, the second on the 28th. On the 29th the female left the nest and did not return. The male gave the chicks what food he had, but it was not enough. Both chicks were gone by Jan 5th, 7 days after the mother left. We do not know what happened to her. It was very sad. Click on any picture to see a larger version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 18, both present, no egg Nov 19, both present, no egg Nov 20, both present, no egg Nov 21, both present, no egg
 
 Nov 22, first egg was laid today  Nov 23, both parents are near the nest  Nov 24, both parents are near the nest, second egg was laid today.  Nov 25, the second egg was laid yesterday and the female left.
       
Nov 26, the male and 2 eggs  Nov 27,the male and 2 eggs  Nov 28, the male and 2 eggs  Nov 29, the male
     
Nov 30, the male  Dec 1, the male Dec 2, the male Dec 3, the male
     
Dec 4, the male Dec 5, the male Dec 6, the male Dec 7, the male
Dec 8, the male Dec 9,the male Dec 10, the female Dec 11, the female
     
 Dec 12, the female Dec 13, the female Dec 14, the female Dec 15, the female
       
Dec 16, NO DATA TODAY Dec 17, the male Dec 18, the male Dec 19, the female
 
Dec 20, the male Dec 23, the male, no data for Dec 21,22 Dec 24, the male Dec 25, the female
     
Dec 26, the male Dec 27, Happy Birthday ! This chick was hatched today, the shell is still nearby. The male is on the nest. Dec 28, Happy Birthday! The second chick is hatching as we watch. The female in on the nest. Dec 29, Two chicks today. the female is on the nest.
   
Dec 30, the male Dec 31, the male Jan 1, the male Jan 2, the male
     
Jan 3, the male Jan 4, the male, one chick has died, this is a very sad day. Jan 5, the other chick has died, we are all sad. The female never returned, the male has no more food to feed the chicks. Jan 6, the male left the nest 5 sec after this last call. We will watch the nest to see if he returns.
Jan 7, the nest is empty Jan 15, Update.  Jan 19, This is what the nest looks like today, most of the rocks have been taken. We will never know what happened to the female.  
  We have not seen the male or the female back at the nest as of this day.  
 2007-08 Nest Check is completed. We will visit this nest next season to see if the male or the female returns.