It seems a few weeks since I have written to you about the wonderful gannet family I am following at Bempton. So here is an update on Chick!

All is going very well. As you read this, Chick will be ten weeks old. He/she has grown so much in these last weeks. At this age gannet chicks ('gugas') are significantly heavier than their parents. In looks they are an enchanting mix of 'baby chick' and 'maturing juvenile'. Over the last couple of weeks Chick's white fluffy appearance is gradually changing to reveal more and more mature dark feathers beneath the down. Chick is just a few weeks off fledging!

The demands of Chick's 'gannet' appetite are great. Both parents are seemingly working very hard to feed their very demanding youngster. Just occasionally in the last couple of weeks I have arrived at the nest to find chick alone, with both parents out fishing at once. This was the case last time I visited. Chick looked so 'grown up', sitting on their own on the nest, spending some time looking out to sea, some time sleeping and now very proficient in their self-grooming. I love seeing little bits of the white fluffy down float off on the breeze during grooming. And seeing the contrast with the shiny black new flight feathers. Really stunning.

It was very peaceful sitting by the nest on a warm sunny autumn afternoon . I had been there a couple of hours when to my delight the adult female returned. 'Grown up' chick immediately switched to 'feed me' begging chick! Chick's begging behaviour consists of a continuous rapid cheeping and a posture that makes me smile - crouching down to look as small and helpless as they can, bobbing up and down with each cheep. Chick was also pecking at mother's bill and received a feed within minutes of her return. In total she gave the chick four feeds in quick succession and then appeared to 'be empty'.

Apparently unsatiated, Chick carried on begging for well over an hour after the mother's return and feeds. There seemed to be no 'off switch'! In this time the mother turned her back to chick, seemingly trying to signal the meal was over. It was close to sunset and I was just about to leave, feeling pleased to know chick had been fed, and knowing they would reach a time when they stopped cheeping and relaxed and settled again. I had my rucksack on, saying my goodbyes, when suddenly in flew 'Dad' too! The parents gave each other a noisy greeting with their beautiful bonding display of entwining necks and bill touching. 'Mum' quickly left again on another fishing trip, barely rested. And Chick acted like they hadn't been fed for ages and received more feeds from Dad!

To me the dynamics on the nest have felt different these last couple of weeks, with chick's needs centred on food and the parents having to find ways to get some respite from the begging. Chick resorts at times to pecking the parent's body during their begging. Sometimes they get 'reprimanded' for this (I have seen the father bite chick's neck). There seems less time for tender interactions. I have found myself empathising both with chick feeling so hungry and with an exhausted parent needing some quiet and rest!

This week's self kindness invitation is to raise as much kindness and compassion as you can towards yourself and your own needs, whatever they may be. And to remember not to compare yourself and your particular needs negatively against other people. Accepting ourselves in this way is profound self kindness.

Go well.

In warmth and kindness

Barbara