Here, as a bit of light relief, is one of our frogs that also seems to enjoy mealworms. He snapped this one up directly the picture was taken. Animals never co-operate with the photographer!
Friday 17th May, 2002
The camera has been set on webcam mode for most of the day, so unfortunately an amusing incident this afternoon was not photographed. Beau came in with a rather large caterpillar, and tried to stuff it down the nearest available gape. After watching the poor chick struggling with it for a few seconds, he retrieved it and tried it in another mouth. This chick also failed to swallow it, and he continued forcing it on different chicks until one finally managed it. Dad looked on for a few more seconds, not quite sure if the food had gone for good, or whether he would receive a sac in return, until he was satisfied that all was finished, and then flew off.
Battler has been rather neglected of late owing to the new chicks in Box1, but continues to incubate diligently, something we had almost given up on a few weeks ago. Here are a few pictures to remind you what she does all day!
Returning - from a comfort break?
Just checking they're all there
Battler periodically leaves the nest for a short period, generally about 3 or 4 minutes. When she comes back she shuffles through the eggs to ensure they all get an even share of her body warmth.
Her mate periodically comes in to feed her and she still spreads her wings as she receives the food.
Only a few days to go now!
Back to Box1.
This image shows Beauty feeding her brood. Previously when she left the nest she did not return with food, but as the chicks get older and the weather gets warmer, she is leaving them more often and bringing some food back with her.
Interestingly, in these circumstances, she always seems to stand on the right of the nest when feeding them whereas Beau always stands on the left.
This image shows Beau returning with food which he gives to Beauty, who then feeds it to the chicks. When Beauty feeds them she usually stands well over them, so it is difficult to see how many chicks there are.
Beau, however, stands further back, and to the left. Here you can make out five gapes. Although we believe that 6 eggs have hatched, we have never clearly seen six chicks.