nest check
Nest #4 - 2025
Banded Bird #76957 – Male
This bird was born in 2019. He returned to the Cape Royds in late 2023 at 4 years old to investigate the breeding colony. The next year he came back, claimed a territory, and successfully raised one chick with his mate! He must be a talented young parent.
The first photo was taken December 23rd, and the nest log started with one chick. These birds need names!
Jan 2, 2026
The female has returned and is keeping the chick out of the wind.
Jan 3, 2026
Both parents are here today watching over their chick, though the female is on the nest.
Jan 4, 2026
The female is still on the nest. It does not look like they switched yesterday, despite the male being present…
Dec 28, 2025
Both parents are at the nest today. The male warms the chick while the female gathers rocks to make the nest bigger and more protected from snowmelt.
Dec 29, 2025
The male is still on the nest. His feathers are beginning to be stained by the krill he’s feeding the chick.
Dec 30, 2025
The female has arrived and is taking care of the chick. The male is standing nearby, taking a break before he heads out to sea to find food.
Dec 31, 2025
The female is still on the nest. The chick is still young and needs her warmth to survive.
Jan 1, 2026
Happy New Year! The male is back on the nest. Their chick is growing well, though it is sleepy most days.
Dec 23, 2025
The male is sitting on the nest, warming and protecting a very tiny new chick!
Dec 24, 2025
No photo today due to a windstorm.
Dec 25, 2025
The male is on the nest, keeping a watchful eye on their small chick.
Dec 26, 2025
The female is on the nest today. She is a little dirty, and will need to wash her feathers when she returns to the sea.
Dec 27, 2025
The male is back on the nest. The chick is still small and not very active yet, so he has plenty of time to preen his flipper feathers.