Karula National Park 2/ Must toonekurg 4

[marika.solo]

MAIDEN FLIGHT 6:45:45-6:46:17 Bonus chick 710 L - to the large branch and back to the nest

[marika.solo]

the same route storklet repeated more times today

pooping on the nest floor before starting again

[marika.solo]

[marika.solo]

after approx. 20 min to next branch

[marika.solo]

after next cca 20 min back to the nest



who is this enemy?

[marika.solo]

The photo shows a distant view of this nest, with my favourite, male Eedi, his three chicks, and the adopted Bonus 2 (all the chicks fell victim to a white-tailed eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla).

14.07.2022 Eedi and chicks, including Bonus2


Pic from video by Kotkaklubi https://youtu.be/KAzVYnWBlOs?si=uUtjTHbJ-3tUo5aT

[marika.solo]

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August 02
Hello everyone

CHICK () +
- 1st chick: 72 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 2nd chick: 72 days old (hatched in the night 21./22.05)
- 3rd chick: 71 days old (hatched on 23. 05)
- 4th: on 24. 05; brood reduction by female on 28.05 - 4 days old

- one chick, Bonus 2, adopted on 18.06

MAIDEN FLIGHT
- on 26.07 at - 7203
- on 27.07 at - 7201
- on 29.07 at - 7202
- on 01.08 at - 710L / Bonus

Maiden Flights & Chick Age:
26 July: 1st chick (7203) – 65–66 days old
27 July: 2nd chick (7201)– 66–67 days old
29 July: 3rd chick (7202) - 67 days old

Note on fledging age: The chicks became fully flight-capable slightly earlier than the standard Baltic reference range (68–72 days). This earlier maiden flight (at 65–66 days) was primarily facilitated in my opinion by an abundant and consistent food supply throughout their development, promoting optimal feather growth and physical condition.

Leg Ring Identification:
Three of the chicks carry rings 7201, 7202, and 7203, while the adopted/foster chick (referred to as "Bonus") carries the distinct ring 710L.

1/ By tracking 35 chicks with transmitters, Polish researchers found that these young birds permanently left their nests at an average of 87 days of age, with a maximum of 108 days. Before their definitive departure for migration, the fledglings initially fly within an average distance of up to 200 meters, and as they get older, this distance increases to an average of up to 500 meters.(Dr. Anderwald)

2/ Survival rates are higher for chicks that spend more time at the nest after fledging, as they return to the nest and gradually gain independence while still receiving food from their parents. For another 2 to 4 weeks after becoming able to fly, they will return to the nest to rest or spend the night. (Dr. Strazds)

3/ Fledglings learn to search for foraging sites and acquire food on their own only after their definitive departure from the nest (migration). (prof. Zielinski)

[marika.solo]

youtube chat info - thx to everyone
YouTube comments do not reflect all nest events throughout the day, including chick feedings; therefore, the log is unfortunately incomplete.

Nest Activity Log 02/08/2026 (in the evening - whole day)
Log compiled from chat observations and structured with the assistance of Gemini AI.

Events Timeline
data mostly by user Natalia / @Наталья-б9с7й

Morning / Forenoon

• 06:00:00 – All four fledglings present on the nest.
• 06:00:45 – Fledgling 7203 jumps onto a branch.
• 06:11:08 – 07:16:48 – Departure and flight of fledgling 7201.
• 06:16:00 – Fledgling 7203 flies from the branch into the forest.
• 06:18:17 – 07:06:19 – Departure and flight of fledgling 7202.
• 06:20:00 – Fledgling 710L remains alone on the nest.
• 07:01:14 – A stork flies past in front of the nest from right to left.
• 07:04:42 – Fledgling 7203 returns and lands on the upper branch.
• 07:06:19 – Fledgling 7202 returns to the nest.
• 07:17:00 – Three fledglings present on the nest, one on the branch above.
• 07:19:27 – Fledgling 7203 jumps down from the branch into the nest.
• 07:20:04 – FEEDING #1 (4 fledglings present; 2 portions of fish delivered).
• 09:05:42 – Begging display starts.
• 09:06:37 – 09:06:54 – FEEDING #2 (An adult lands and feeds; all 4 fledglings present).
• 09:41:34 – 09:42:06 – Short flight of fledgling 7201. Light rain.
• 09:44:00 – Fledgling 7203 jumps onto a branch, flies into the forest at 09:45:06, returns to the branch at 09:46:00, and returns to the nest at 10:13:36.
• 10:13:14 – Fledgling 710L jumps onto a branch and returns to the nest at 10:13:33.
• 10:14:17 – FEEDING #3 (Fish delivered).
• 10:27:49 – FEEDING #4 (Parent arrives from the left, fish delivered).
• 12:38:38 – Fledgling 7203 jumps onto a branch.
• 12:49:00 – Fledgling 7203 jumps back into the nest.

Afternoon / Evening

• 15:09:00 – Fledgling 7202 moves closer to 710L.
• 17:28:26 – Fledgling 7203 jumps onto a branch and flies off into the forest shortly after.
• 17:45:03 – Fledgling 7203 lands back on the nest.
• 17:47:23 – 17:47:59 – Short flight of fledgling 7203 to the right.
• 18:14:00 – 18:14:29 – FEEDING #5 (Parent arrives from the camera side, feeds, and departs).
• 18:30:00 – Fledgling 710L flies onto a branch above the nest.
• 18:32:00 – Fledgling 7203 jumps onto the branch next to 710L.
• 18:36:00 – Fledgling 7203 flies off the branch into the forest.
• 18:51:47 – Fledgling 7203 flies back into the nest from the left; 710L remains on the branch.
• 19:15:48 – Fledgling 710L jumps down from the branch into the nest.
• 19:17:43 – 19:18:00 – Short flight of fledgling 7201 towards the camera.
• 20:08:31 – 20:09:29 – Short flight of fledgling 7201.
• 20:22:48 – Departure of fledgling 7201 to the right.
• 20:25:40 – Fledgling 710L departs to a branch of a neighbouring tree.
• 20:26:50 – Fledgling 7202 departs into the forest.
• 20:43:00 – 20:46:00 – Camera cuts off briefly; fledgling 7202 returns to the nest during this interval.
• 21:02:00 – Fledgling 710L observed on a higher branch of the neighbouring tree.
• 21:16:00 – 21:18:00 – Fledgling 710L moves along the branches of the neighbouring tree, then moves out of view behind the trunk.

(Note: The camera operated intermittently after 20:40).

[marika.solo]

09:05:42 - the begging display starts, 09:06:37 the adult stork lands, feeding - 09:06:54 out
a lot of nice sized fish, every chick is present

[marika.solo]

7202 aggressive behaviour towards Bonus/710L who seems to be very excited