The Eggs Have been Removed

Yesterday we removed three eggs, cleaned the box, and held the baby (pics to follow). She's a giant baby! (note: will use he/she interchangeably). Her eyes remain closed. She has quite a few feathers and a large, full, buddha tummy. She flapped her wings. Mary ann and Sutcliffe were understandably concerned, but after replacing the box, they both went in and fed the baby, and today, all is well. The three eggs were as follows: two empty (unfertilized?). one: fertilized, but no viable offspring. However, this giant baby is going to take all of her parents attention, I am sure! Here you can see Mary ann is getting suspicious. She's a smart bird.

When You're an Egg, The View is Always the Same

Yesterday, Mary Ann looked a bit "peak-ed" to me. Sutcliffe stood next to the entrance hole of the nest box most of the day, and she was quite near the front. Notably, it was a bit colder. Today, however, the furnace has really kicked up, and when I put greens out (watercress and dill weed) both parents were very pleased! Mary ann otherwise has been sitting on the eggs constantly. The world, if you are one of her eggs, is largely yellow, warm, and soft. Doesn't sound too bad!

Three Eggs!

Very exciting! We can count three eggs as of yesterday. The parents are very much covering the view most of the time, with Mary Ann into close to full time brooding behavior, so we can't tell if another one has been laid or not today: so three for sure, so far. Sutcliffe continues to scuttle about, but today, for the first time, Mary ann booted him out of the box. Perhaps this signals the end of egg laying, perhaps not. Of course we will keep you posted! As R noted earlier, a lovely flourish of trumpets is warranted!

Ta dada DAAA (trumpet flourish!)!!!!