It’s a while since the last post, but it has been a trying few days. Kicking off with the worst news, it appears the goshawk that took chick 3 on 25 June predated chick 2 on Nest 1A overnight at the weekend. Only chick 1 was present first thing Sunday morning. KF13 had repelled an attempt by the goshawk on the previous afternoon, but the absence of otherwise healthy chick 2 the following day suggests a return.

Since then the adults have been particularly vigilant with both of them on the nest more often than usual.

We’ll return to Nest 1A later, but disappointingly the camera at Nest 7 has developed internal condensation. Nothing can be done about the problem at this stage, so there will be varying levels of insight depending in part on the weather. A long hot spell would reduce if not eliminate the issue, but we are talking Kielder Forest, not the south! There will be showers or longer spells of rain until next Monday at least.

Today an intruder flew over the nest. As you can see reading a ring would have been impossible.

Fortunately it also flew outside the centre area and it was unringed, so nothing lost this time.

Generally it is clear which of the youngsters is exercising because of the size difference. Both have been active with 3B3/Ingram adding some jumps to her repertoire when wing flapping.

Now for some good news! Chick 1 on Nest 1A was ringed today.

At 37 days old chick 1 weighed 1610g and is thought to be female. She was fitted with colour ring 3B5 and was named Irthing after the river that forms part of the border with Cumbria.

Hopefully there’ll be more photos over the next day or so.

After being returned to her home 3B5/Irthing ate well.

She’s exercised a bit too, but mostly preened and dozed. And eaten some more!