6-1-08: Observed 3 chicks in the nest
6-5-08: Chicks considerably larger, with some loss of white down.
4 Chicks in the Nest! Largest chick is at least 50% larger than smallest.
Feeding on snakes, frogs, and voles.
6-6-08: Watched adult feeding the chicks several times. At one feeding lasting over 20 minutes the two larger chicks dominated the food without much help from the adult for the first 12-15 minutes; the adult then took the food, turned toward the smaller two, and fed them much smaller portions, beak to beak. The larger chicks settled down in the nest and didn't seem to mind. Couldn't tell what it was but it was BIG...several times larger than a vole, maybe a small rabbit or squirrel?

6-9-08: DAY OF THE BANDING...SEE SEPARATE GALLERY

6-14-08: Short visit was between feedings so chicks were quiet. Did not see more than 3, and only 1 was sitting up. 2nd made a few brief appearances from prone position. Adults in the area several times within the hour, but were not carrying food.
6-18-08: 2 hour visit...As I arrived adult dropped something small into the nest and flew off, 1 chick had 2-3 small bites, and I did not see adult again. About an hour later, largest chick jumped up and down several times reaching a height of about 18", flexing it's wings. A few minutes later after leaning out over the nest, it jumped to a branch about 5-6 feet slightly above and to the right of the nest. It had a few anxious moments trying to get its balance and began walking up and down the limb. The 3 chicks in the nest were up at "attention" and stared at the 4th chick in its "out-of-the-nest" perch. After about 10 minutes it jumped back to the nest. A few minutes later it flew/lept about 12-15 feet to a limb about 6 feet above and perhaps 10 feet to the left of the nest. Again, it seemed to have lots of balance and gripping issues. It settled down and hopped to another limb about 20 feet above the nest. It explored adjoining branches and seemed comfortable. I did not see or hear an adult while the chick was out of the nest. Sadly, I had to leave before seeing how the chick returned to the nest. I believe this chick is 37 days old.
6-30-08: Oldest chick is now 7 weeks old. I've been out of town; 1st visit in 2 weeks. All 4 "young adults" are out of the nest in neighboring trees within about 100 yards of nest. They are nearly adult size. An adult brought a rodent to a tree where 1 juvie called, and the other 3 converged on the tree with the food. Not enough to go around, so the others retreated to nearby trees with constant calling. During the 2 hour visit, there was almost constant calling as they perched in trees, sometimes impossible to see.