Bird Cams

[whaleywanderer]

Just googled for info on the incubation period and it does appear now that too long has elapsed for the eggs to hatch.

'A carnivore, the white stork eats a wide range of animal prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and small birds. It takes most of its food from the ground, among low vegetation, and from shallow water. It is a monogamous breeder, but does not pair for life. Both members of the pair build a large stick nest, which may be used for several years. Each year the female can lay one clutch of usually four eggs, which hatch asynchronously 33–34 days after being laid. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and both feed the young. The young leave the nest 58–64 days after hatching, and continue to be fed by the parents for a further 7–20 days.'

[sws97sdg]

Perhaps the first eggs were not fertile, they carried on mating for several days/weeks after the first ones were laid, so perhaps the later eggs (they were not all laid at the same time were they?) will hatch later then the expected date, possibly

[Sparky]

I also read that weather conditions affect the eggs and Rottenbach has had a lot of cold, wet and windy days since they were laid.

[Belladonna]

Dad looking a bit fed up today, no preening for mum to be, and just turned his back on her looking very bored. Maybe its looking like one step further from "Not tonight darling, I have a headache!" with these eggs now!

[Tangoman]

My wife is a bit concerned - I think it was because, when asked what I was logged onto, I foolishly replied "Oh just a website for people who seem to like to watch foreign birds get laid"!!

[mike_dublin]

Got a very detailed email from www.lbv.de in regards to the storks in Röttenbach. The translated and slightly abbreviated reply is

Unfortunately it has to be assumed that the eggs were not fertilized well. Since Storks sit on the eggs continuously, just to avoid cooling down, the weather usually does not affect the period of incubation ...

Update from a local contact:

"Dear Röttenbacher Stork friends
... I expect now no longer hatching, but the end of the breeding.

Breeding (4 eggs) began before April 10. 32-34 days is considered breeding time, which makes it two weeks overdue. Today I can only recognize 2 eggs on the camera image. ... "

Possibly one of the two adult birds has a problem with fertility, last year this pair of storks also had no breeding success in a neighboring town.

[Belladonna]

What a shame. Not totally unexpected by now though, but upsetting that the storks still think it worth while to carry on hoping. We've not done too well on Bird Watch this season have we!

[debz1]

Poor storks. Sad that they are still sitting on the eggs after all this time

[Jonsey]

I thought that this may the case. On arriving back from Pollenca on Saturday I went straight to the web cam and could see the female (?) moving the eggs around quite briskly, definitely all four were still there. What is interesting, though, is the comment above (Mike Dublin) from www.lbv.de re the fact that this couple nested elsewhere last year? I've just checked up and found this in the National Geographic News - "The birds are loyal to their nests and return to the same ones every year. Male storks often arrive a few days before females, repair their nests, and then wait for the arrival of their mates."

[Belladonna]

It is making me very sad to see the female still sitting on the eggs day after day now. When do they actually realise that nothing will now hatch, and what happens to the eggs? Maybe they just finally abandon the nest, and the eggs get eaten by other birds? Hope I'm not logged on when that happens.

[debz1]

Originally Posted by Belladonna

It is making me very sad to see the female still sitting on the eggs day after day now. When do they actually realise that nothing will now hatch, and what happens to the eggs? Maybe they just finally abandon the nest, and the eggs get eaten by other birds? Hope I'm not logged on when that happens.

I agree it's really quite heartbreaking. They've been taking it in turns to sit on those eggs for over 60 days. That's nearly twice as long as the normal incubation period

[Rosie34]

I've stopped looking now as it just makes me depressed

[mike_dublin]

Originally Posted by Rosie34

I've stopped looking now as it just makes me depressed

Couldn't have that -
Das Storchennest auf dem Theresia

This page has a list with the webcams in the lbv.de area -
http://www.lbv.de/unsere-arbeit/voge...n-webcams.html

[sws97sdg]

I hope Victor is safely tucked away, there is a cat in the pen, amazingly, it is trying to grab the meat or the Ibis, but they are too quick!!

[Millipet]

Mummy stork seems to have now realised that the eggs are not going to hatch and was nowhere to be seen when I checked today