FEEDING
08:56:43 the food-begging behaviour starts
1/ 08:57:53 Natalio in - feeding - 08:58:10 Natalio out (with one little - fish?)
09:29:06 the begging display begins
2/ 09:43:47 Zica in -regurgitating - 09:43:57 Zica out
12:12:57 the begging display begins, 12:16:30 two of them calmed down, one storklet is still begging, nodding, 12:18:16 more intensive begging ... 12:21 storklet is silent and everyone is observing something - one flying black stork?
13:48:40 the begging display begins (is someone flying out there again?) ... they have been observing someone for several minutes (15:50:20)
14:14:06 the begging display begins
3/14:18:30 Zica in -regurgitating - 14:18:38 Zica out (8 sec)
14:32:43 the food-begging behaviour starts
4/ 14:35:27 Natalio in - feeding - 14:35:34 Natalio out
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youtube chat info - thx to everyone , especially to @Светлана-ни and @паніСвітланаК and our Maria Lewandovska 
NEST ACTIVITY LOG 15/07/2026
08:45 – One of the storklets is observed jumping and actively preening a sibling's feathers (jokingly referred to in the chat as the "hairdresser").
08:57 – The male, Natalio, arrives. Feeding: fish.
09:43 – The female, Zika, arrives. Feeding: fish.
14:18:30 – Zika arrives. Feeding: fish.
14:29 – Camera zoom-in on the nest (duration: 14:29:16 – 14:29:45).
14:35:27 – Natalio arrives. Feeding.
20:50 – 20:51 – Storklet 2 practices high, springboard-like jumps, almost leaving the nest.
21:00 – Storklet 3 (the youngest) is highly active and continues to practice jumping.
21:06 – Storklet 1 (the eldest) begins wing-testing and jumping exercises.
Discussion Summary & Observations
Chick Age and Fledging Status: T
oday, the three storklets are 72, 71, and 69 days old. Although they are fully of fledging age and actively practicing jumps, none of them have made their first flight yet.
Parental Feeding Behaviour and Fledging:
Responding to a common speculation in the chat that parents should reduce feedings to "starve" the chicks into flying, it was clarified (by me = marika.solo)) that this is a widespread myth. Black stork parents do not intentionally restrict food to force fledging. On the contrary, fledglings require substantial fat reserves before leaving the nest, as their initial hunting attempts are highly inefficient, making these reserves a crucial survival buffer. Once their flight muscles and feathers are fully developed, instinct takes over and they will fly.
Distinguishing the Storklets:
Observers discussed how to tell the three chicks apart before fledging. Storklet 3 (the youngest) can be identified by its back, which has not yet fully molted/faded (20:53:50). It is currently the most active jumper, whereas Storklet 1 (the eldest) is observed to be the most relaxed and "lazy" with its training.
Evening Activity:
While some chatters expressed that the storklets becoming significantly more active and energetic in the late evening, this is basic survival logic! (by me - (marika.solo): In Spain's Extremadura region (with nearby Alcántara currently pushing temperatures well over 30°C), sitting out the scorching midday heat in a quiet siesta is essential to avoid heat stress. Just like humans, the birds naturally shift their energy-intensive activities - like jump training - to the cooler morning and evening hours.
Environmental Context:
A discussion about the intense darkness of the night camera stream highlighted that the quarry lake is located in an area completely free of light pollution. Combined with the current new moon, it results in pitch-black nights.
4x
