Today marks the 48th day since EH hatched.  Initially after the two chicks hatched, Jasper did not provide fish as he has done in the past. Often, the chicks were left alone while Bea set out to find food. The first chick, JK, died about one week after hatching. Crows have often been seen about the nest and tower, so we're thinking that maybe JK was attacked while Bea was away. 

EH, the second chick, is now 48 days old and has grown into a young juvenile. As either parent brings fish to the nest, EH is quite eager to receive and pester Bea as she still tries to feed EH. 

With Bea leaving the nest daily to find fish since Jasper occasionally brings food to the nest, the chick, EH, is left alone. The chick is lying in the shadow of the camera while a crow looks on. We are hoping the chick gets enough food to quickly grow to ward off any dangers from other birds.

 

Jasper has not been supporting Bea and the chick as Bea had left the nest for over 45 minutes today before she brought a fish in for EH. It's possible Jasper may be supporting a second nest.

Bea continues to leave the nest as Jasper only appeared once yesterday morning with a small fish. The chick is often left alone for periods of 15 minutes or more.

Jasper has returned with fish.  😊

 

Not sure where Jasper has been. He was last seen Tuesday, June 6th, in the afternoon with a fish at the nest. During June 6th, Jasper was not seen until late afternoon. This season has been different than the previous years, with Bea frequently leaving the nest flying about the area, bringing in more sticks and moss. Past seasons she has always stayed on the nest, never leaving her chicks.

Yesterday we did not see Jasper all day and Bea often left the nest and eventually brought in a small fish for her sole chick and herself. We're hoping Jasper has just been off sight of the camera and unsuccessful hunting. Bea will have a difficult time caring for the chick if she also has to find food while leaving the chick unattended. There are often crows in the area and on the tower's communication equipment. The crows may have played a part in the first chick's death. 

Bea and Jasper have lost their first chick JK. We had storms and high winds Friday and especially on Saturday. The chick, JK, most likely died from exposure as the temperatures also dropped into the mid 50's which is rare for May. 

So now the pair has the one chick, EH, and with no competition for food, EH has a better chance of survival.

Bea and Jasper's second chick hatched at 8:26:13 this morning, May 23, 2023. The pair had two eggs that were laid on March 12th and March 15th with incubation periods of 40 and 38 days.

The second chick's name is EH.

Bea and Jasper have their first chick hatch for 2023. The chick's name is JK. Last year Bea laid three eggs, but no chick hatched. We believe the chick hatched this morning as the pair seemed a bit apprehensive.

The chick's name is JK.

Today marks 4 weeks since the first egg was laid, and the second egg was laid three days later. So we possibly could see two chicks in about two weeks or so. The pair has not had chicks since the 2021 season.

Below, Jasper is incubating the two eggs.