Nesting birds         

Wild birds - Bringing their young ones out to this world in an hostile environment

Nesting series -  

This is the changing times, where birds previously living in jungle edges get more familiar with humans environments. The Little Heron, popularly thought to be  a Water bird, is one such bird. My home in Ayer Itam still has a strong rural setting. There is a Little Heron roosting in our garden. In Kuala Lumpur's open parks, like the one in Kiara, Little Herons are common sight. There is river flowing at the perimeter of the Park.

For this report, we saw the birds nesting within a busy industrial estate. No lack of heavy traffic, noises and urban predators like Crows and Orioles.  The source of food could be the monsoon drain next to Abdul Samad School.

This series on the fledging of the Little Herons was prompted and finished with assistance from Tou Jing Yi. Together we both kept a daily watch on the nest

For me, I am happy to jointly take up the role of recording and completing the report .

From the writing at the beginning, obvious that Tou started the project. Later paragraphs are written in Times New Roman, reflected the thoughts by Tou and those in Arial by Khong are filled in.

August 16th - Saturday

I always under the impression that Herons are rather shy bird and should be doing their nesting in trees providing well concealed spots. That was an inconclusive understanding. During my walk on that dark evening, I swear that it was a Heron's beak jutting out from this nest that I saw. Could it be a twig playing tricks with my eyes under the condition of fading lights. The very next morning, under the bright morning sun, I inspected the nest carefully. There was really a Little Heron in it. I was taken back that Little Herons, shy in nature, seen only in jungle edges had adapted to the environment in urban gardens. Now here in urban PJ, they were seen boldly having their nesting in wide open public areas.

Recalling my experiences in Ipoh, Heron built their nest within the shadows of low shrubs. Mainly in places besides the mining pool with very limited human access. Passer-bys could hardly catch a glimpse of such nests. I saw one of these nest, my first, last month. So implanted in my mind, Heron nest are built at places which are totally out of sight!!!
 

August 21st - Thursday

Now and accidentally, I stumbled upon my chances of compiling an updates on the progress made by this nest.

This day the bird was still incubating its eggs in the nest but another event was also in progress. The tree had started sprouting out new leaves. With new leaves changing the openness of naked branches. I could almost visualize that my view  for the nest getting blocked gradually. It would be time that the sight of the nest was less exposed to public viewing. My real concern for the day? I would not know whether it was good news or bad, but I felt sad. I passed the area of the nest attentively. I saw and picked up a broken egg shell. Most likely had fallen out from the nest during the time of strong wind. Heavy showers in late afternoon were common occurrences. The shell was picked at the parking bay right under the nest. .

The edges on the shell showed that the egg itself appeared neatly cracked  and not shattered. The egg had a bluish tint. As there was only one shell found, I prayed that  other eggs survived. I was looking forward to seeing signs of chicks. Cannot tell, perhaps another week or two, the chicks might be hatched. As for birds around the nest. Only one adult seen on the nest daily. The partner was  no where to be seen

August  22nd -Friday Day 1

On Friday, I made a routine check the nest. Once more, repeating yesterday's "fallen egg" incident, I saw a bluish object on the ground. I got nearer to the object was pleasantly surprised to confirm finding the second egg shell. A second egg shell from the nest? Was this a bad sign?..... but wait!

I carefully examined this second shell and did some rational analysis. This condition of this second eggs was very similar to that of the egg shell collected the day before. Then more clue, I found another smaller piece of puzzle from a spot some distance away, I call that piece "cap". The cap fitted the open portion of the egg shell. That meant the egg was not broken during a fall or before. The egg was opened in a specific manner. There was no traces of residue or stains on the inner surfaces of the egg shell. Except one yellowish patch, where the air cell  was. I was glad to conclude that the egg shell found the day before and this one were not washed away by the rain. They were, in fact, evidences of the chicks having actually being successfully HATCHED!!
 

August 24th - Sunday Day 3

I would not know which tree the nest was located. Guided by the little impression I have taken note after having seen Tou's picture. I searched for "that" tree on site. I could not locate any nest. Some details I missed, I asked the guard for permission to enter the compound for advance search. Yes, I hanged around the area of the guard house - But still no nest. Alternatively, I could leave for the road to survey the fig tree. Lucky for me, all the while I was there, my search was aided  by the Heron calling. Found the nest but no hatching.

To my surprise, the nest in the pictures was another nest on a different tree. Judging from the features in your pictures, the amount of  leaves present and branch structures, they looked so unfamiliar!!  Immediately I had to go out to the road area and verify that second nest after receiving your mail. Finally I did find it. Two nests were just roughly like 8-10 meters away from each other. This newly found second nest was more flimsy and could be left unattended. It was located much higher up in the canopy. I too, did not spot any adult in the nest. If the nest was really unattended, could this nest  actually served as a decoy "nest" to distract predators? Would it be a fake nest to sit in when the parent sensed danger to the incubating eggs in the "real" nest ? For example, in circumstances  when predators were around.

I remembered that 2 years ago, a young fledgling had been saved around this area of the second nest. That time the nest was never located. Therefore this nest might be the old nest belonging to other pair of Heron. Or could this pair in the past may potentially be the same pair? More maybe, the nest where the poor young bird fell off the past?

August  25th -Monday Day 4

I made a beeline for the tree after Tou gave me the much needed clarifications. It was not such straight forward sighting of the nest "original".

Took me a couple of minutes of searching among the leaves. Yes, in a much lower height than nest No.2. It was over 20 feet high, above the car park of a public road.

 Left - Note the density of the foliages on the tree, when compared to the picture taken by Tou, 9 days ago.

Picture below - other sectors of the tree where the parent stood guard was less dense. She was drawing my attention away from the nest.
As the nest can only be seen through windows of voids in the tree's structures. The available corridors and my standing positions determined that they were unlikely for me getting uninterrupted action shots. I did considered  shooting from afar. The further away from the tree I walked, the foliage concealed the nest better. So I walked around one quadrant of the tree trunk for potential placing. Do not need a genius to confirm that the spot at the flag staffs within the college compound was the best. The raised ground has advantage of elevating the camera for better angle and the line of sight for the nest, least obstructed. Negotiated with the guard to enter the area of the canteen. Sorry! No was the answer from upstairs. While appealing, the chief guard shouted over the walkie talkie "Sorry No! No! No!" One down, but looking at the bright side. There are 2 compromised spots along the pavements. Sandwiched between the parked cars and the fencing.
	Good for me, I could park myself and the camera without subjecting myself to be in the flow of the traffic. That wayward spot, I too, would not stand out as the odd person to draw attention. I was in for some good times.

After settling down, I got the feeling that the parent birds too, were waiting for me to sort out my logistic. I settled down. One bird flew in. I aimed and guess what I got! Both parents in the nest. I got  few shots before one bird left the nest. Shifted my position. In this new spot I could see movement within the nest. The second picture though faintly, will show the outline of the two beaks.  Confirmed that there are 2 hatchlings.  The babies moved, not around but moved their heads slightly with one parent standing on the nest. After a while, the movement stopped. The parent bird flew out to a spot 2 feet away to do guard duty.

Above  -the chicks caught in the picture.

August  26th -Tuesday Day 6

Above parent in the nest

Many attempts on alternative positions to place my tripod were again tested. All yielded little improvement. While I was busy at that, another parent stealthily moved in. I could see both parent in the tiny nest with the chicks. Imagine that. Oh! It was temporary, a change of guard duty.

Quietly, one parent was slowly inching away from the nest and then flying off. All I got for the day was one blurry picture of the chick's head in down.

August 27th - Wednesday Day 6

Wednesday morning. One parent was standing on the nest. Guarding it. Tried hard to peep. But I still could not detect any movements from the chicks. That parent on guard duty was not performing any chore as well. It was a scene of an adult bird's mere presence in the nest. I was wondering why? Something was not right! That was what I thought. [In the later days I found out the answer as to why there was no activities.] I left empty handed and nothing to report.

29th - Friday Day 8

I was out of town on Thursday. Early on Friday morning I was at the nest looking for progress. Remembering that poor showing on Wednesday - the parent stood in the nest but not having any activities from the Chicks?

 So on Friday, when I was there, I waited and waited. No signs of the parents and no movement within the nest. Then fear crept into me. Could it be a situation that nest was mugged? I met up with Tou who was walking towards the college. Reported to him my bad feelings that the nesting could have failed! Then in the afternoon, he sent this postings.

Came a reply from Tou in late afternoon. The dropping were found on the windscreen of the car.

30th - Saturday Day 9

This afternoon I saw 3 chicks in the nest. They were pleading for food. In their excitement all tried to get to best position. At the edges of the nest, I was rather concerned that one might reach too far and fell over.
Then later in the afternoon, towards the evening, mummy was there. The chicks rushed to mama as she approached the nest. Daddy also showed himself. Somewhere nearby, unconcerned but glooming himself and preening on a nearby perch. At the same time another a Little Heron [not seen] was heard, calling.

To answer Khong's doubts about the bird droppings, they are mostly being contributed by the chicks. I happen to see them letting  out the droppings. With the sound of a big splash and another loud landing was heard when it touches the ground. Mama was not in the nest when the chick releases the big bomb....

Quite happy to see a third chick, Robson's did mention they usually produce 3-5 eggs in a clutch. When Khong saw only 2, I have to convince myself that it might be producing less chicks in urban settings. But now, there were in fact 3 chicks (AT LEAST!)
 

 31st - Sunday  Day10

That was the day of the Merdeka Holiday. The vicinity where the college was located - very quiet and almost without traffic.

That was another day I frantically experimented with the various positions to peep through the foliages. The weather in the morning at the time I was there - dull. All the same, there was not much action for new information. After watching them for days and the experiences garnered, I could deduced and knew that the chicks would be resting after the morning session of feeding.

Left below -  photographed 3 chicks    Above - large eyes

Even though it was suppose to be resting time, I could see that on the 10th day, the chicks were getting their independence. Not only they could move their body, but they were shifting their position within the narrow confine of the nest.

They could come close to the edge and peeped out. From the picture above, can see their big eyes and head still in downs. For me, peeping through the twigs that made up the nest, 3 eyes staring back at the camera confirmed that they were the 3 chicks.

Since the weather was fine, I felt it was worth waiting. So, it was half an hour later before the chicks decided to make any moves. During that time I searched hard for the guardian who I suspect was hiding nearby. Could not see the parent. Note the wing feathers- above

The man cutting grass was inside the college compound. He did not take any rest and was blasting away. For the 2 hours I waited for him to end his chore. I was concerned for the chicks sentiments. The noises might influenced the normal routine of the chicks. I could see them stopping and remained absolutely still for long period of time.

There were other blocks of time, they seems undisturbed by my presence and the noises of the grass cutting machine. They did their chores of stretching.

Interesting observation too.

Chick No.3, crept out of the edge and remained on a twig outside the nest for a good 20 minutes. While outside, the chicks remained still mixed with doing some cleaning work on the down.

One parent flew in. Stay close the nest. No signal for feeding neither were the chicks excited. It was only after another 15 minutes before Chick No.3 decided to move back into the nest. The mother was all by herself with no visible instructions.

Among the pictures, [top picture] note the stage of the wing feathers in growth. A family portrait with the 3 chicks together.

 It seems to me that the chicks needed time to rest and to digest their meals before moving about. Hence previous mornings when I arrived after the feeding, I would not be seeing any action. The dropping from yesterday's feeding was nominal if the small amount of droppings cold be used as a yardstick. Tuesday's morning fresh dropping witnessed by me far exceed in amount that of the days before. 

September 2nd - Tuesday Day 12

After 11 days of noting their routine, this morning Tou & myself waited. First, for the chicks to rest and then to go into action again. This picture showing the mother [bottom- partially hidden] urging the chicks to leave the nest for their crawling exercises.

 Left edge - the mother with 2 chicks. Also note Chick No.3 on the right edge of the picture.

Again I was learning from past trips to this nest, this morning I waited for the sun to be out. For me to increase my chances of better lightings, I arrived at the nesting site around 8.20 am. A few minutes later, Tou came and joined me in the morning session.

Upon arrival I could see that one parent was leaving hurriedly. Denoting that I could have missed a feeding session.

Another remained close under the nest. To perform "guard duty" as I thought. Told myself "Don't expect much to be happening for a while".

I alerted Tou that we would be in for a half hour rest which the chicks were trained to have after each meal. It almost happened as I anticipated. A 20 minutes wait and a chick started appearing at the edges. The mother was still staying close under the nest.

The throat fluttering, just for short while. The way that birds normally do in hot weather.

Was it giving signals for feeding?

 The mother moved upwards. To the branches having same level with the nest. A routine move without raising any excitement. Without warning, the mother hopped into the nest and a frenzy feeding session started.

 The feeding motions were so swift that the camera could not record any clear image. After that, the mother moved away from the nest down one level, just a couple of feet away.

The chicks started moving out of the nest. One, then rested on the twig outside the nest. A short while later chick No. 2 followed out to the branches. Both perched outside.

Then Chick No.3 got out to another branch on the other side of the nest.

Chick No.1 practiced the hopping back into the nest. Rested, Chick No. 1 and No. 2 exchanged places. One moving out and another moving in. While they were resting under the shaded braches, they carried out some maintenance work on the plumage. Nibbling the fronds with their beak. Of course, disposing their feces outside the nest.

The interesting points this morning were:- The parent was there ready for feeding but waited for a long while. First unlike other passerine, the food that she could be having in storage was not fresh food. The chicks were fed regurgitated food.

Next, the chicks were with their mother around were not worked up nor noisy, asking for food.  The signal to provide food to the chick was handled in such a subtle manner.

Presumably the demand signals were not seen by me or was it the fluttering of the throat?

More points. The chicks were encouraged into different exercises. Like doing the tight rope walk on the branches. Making small hops from the branches and back into the nest. Scenario with other types of passerines, the chicks would be waiting for the wings to develop before they go into exercises involving flight. The Heron chicks started their concerns with moving about among the branches.

"I have forgotten to inform you that around 11.00 am, the chicks were still hanging outside the nest. Next check when it rained in the afternoon, they went back into the safety of the nest."
 

September 3rd - Wednesday Day 13

It was just passed 8.00 am. The sky was clear when I left the house but upon arrival, sky was gloomy and so was my mood.
 

 One chick came out for exercise and jumped across to a nearby branch for  continuation of his daily work-out. Another one was seen faintly, slightly moving within the nest but was not actively doing any work-outs. There was no other movement. Where was the 3rd?

 Mother was very near, just below the nest. I stayed for an hour. Interesting point for the day! The chick that left the nest could hop confidently from the branch back into the nest.

 The only point I picked up for the day. The dark sky was not helping in encouraging me to stay on longer. Hope that Tou could pick up odd observation this  afternoon or evening. 

I inspected the nest about 12 noon.  2 chicks were seen outside the nest. In the evening after 5.00 pm, I saw one chick on the nest with its face in the direction of the campus. The second one [only head seen] facing the "left" in the direction of the road junction. I failed to spot the 3rd chick as well. Let's try to look for them tomorrow. I prayed that the 3rd chick could be in the nest remaining still. As before, the chicks had kept still for long period of time. So this day's finding - hard to spot the third chick.
 

September 5th - Friday Day 15

I missed one day of recording,  Thursday 4th September.

This morning, one chick was lying in wait at the edge of the nest.

 Look at the picture on the right! Clear markings on the wing's feather and the greenish tinge too,

Left above - The picture above zoomed on to the upper part of the breast. Not able to see the complete bird. Seeing this segment alone, could swear that this could be part of an image from an adult. [but note the tell tale signs of the downs] So, it was notable and good progress. A splash of colors had started showing on the chicks.

Back to Fridays event, after a while of waiting, I saw the mother coming in from the direction of the compound of the factory across the road. Landed on the tree at the opposite edge too. Slowly but consistently, she moved towards the nest with no hesitation. There was no calls and nor frantic body language from the chicks in response. The mother ended up standing on a branch of the same level outside the nest and with the chicks inside. Feeding started immediately. Though no rush for food but could see that there was a competition among the 2 chicks. Fresh food this time. On the completion of feeding done in brief time, without wasting time, the mother retired to a branch some distance away.

I kept my watch on the chicks. They just sat at the edge of the nest. Resting.

I guess it was after 15 minutes later, the mother was seen returning and moving up to the nest. This time, with some objects in the mouth! A strand of worm?

I tried to get my camera in line for a classic shot. No chance! She was proceeding steadily without stopping. Next glance, I realized that it was not a worm but a twig. Any need for maintenance work now?

She went up to the nest, crossed over it and out to the branches. The 2 chicks alerted by the parent coming to and over the nest followed suit. One branch, a foot away from the nest and then another branch. Then the 2 chicks were on branches over 2 feet away from the nest. The mother flew away.

No problem, the chicks hopped and crawl back into the nest.

The 2 chicks, particularly one of them, spend a considerable amount of time preening. The second one - less active and making much less efforts. Some stretching of the wings but no flapping. Chick No.1 rested for 10 minutes and then resumed preening. Each session ending up with a simple stretching the wings lengthwise.

This was the best period for photography. Recording the visible changes made by the chicks. Unfortunately, the awkward angle, hostile lightings and obstructions frustrated what I wanted to do. I should be contended that I still have some sort of pictures, though in fragments of the chicks body and dramatically blocked images, to be used as my record. Since Wednesday, 2 days ago, I could only see 2 chicks. Same question - "where is the 3rd?"

Picture below - the chick doing exercises outside the nest and stretching the wings lengthwise.