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Since last May a pair of storks (Ciconia ciconia) has chosen the Amsterdam Vondelpark as the location to build their nest. Last year their attempt failed when they tried to nest near a tennis court. This year near the rose garden they seem to be more successfull with four young chicks recorded. However, over the last days when I was present, I never counted more than three at one time.
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One of the parents with the three chicks.
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Every once in a while the young stretch their wings. This allows us to see that their plumage is not ready yet for their maiden flight.
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A parent is flying in; male and female both have identical plumage.
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One of the parents on guard near the nest, stretching its legs and wings on a pile of concrete plates.
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One of the parents picks up a number of one-day-old chickens that the young would not eat. This is probably a save way to store the food for later. I also have the impression the birds are being overfed by the park's visitors.
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Storks are not shy, and they regularly land on the grass to pick bread crumbs that are fed to the ducks.
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The old storks have impressive wings.
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The three youngsters have survived a heavy rain shower.
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One of the parents returns to the nest but is unable to land. Instead, it chooses a nearby tree.
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A second attempt succeeds and both parents greet each other in their typical ritualized manner.
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Both birds on the ground in search for food...
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...and material to improve the nest.
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