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Belle’s Journey

Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky

Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.

Click HERE for more information!

IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts

Rob Bierregaard July 1, 2015 at 7:24 am
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.

4818eecc88292926c58414a82c884c71Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.

Reprinted with the permission of John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Hello Paul,

Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.

Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.

I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.

Best wishes, and good luck,

John W. Fitzpatrick

Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In addition, Charles Eldermire, Bird Cams Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Writes:

It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.

Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.

charles.

*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Paul,

I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.

Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com

“Interesting. They don’t often take over osprey poles—probably too small for them. They will coopt tree nests, which they can expand. We had a pair of eagles do this on the Vineyard. They built up the Osprey nest a lot and then the Ospreys came home and drove the eagles away, in a David v. Goliath story. The Ospreys successfully bred. They looked tiny in the nest, which sadly blew down this winter.”

    Leave A Comment

    52,629 Comments

    1. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 12:51 pm - Reply

      I checked out that webcam Rob B. mentioned in MA. Not for the faint of heart.
      George dropped in about 12:40, said hi, surveyed the domain, moved a stick. Bye.
      Saw sparrow popping head into camera range at bottom of screen. Gracie was keeping an eye on him.

    2. Karen DeLong July 8, 2016 at 12:32 pm - Reply

      Was peeking and our baby was stretching his/her wing and it’s Sooo cool to see all of the feathers! I hope the bonking stops — for the most part.

    3. Marilyn July 8, 2016 at 11:46 am - Reply

      7/8 11:43 am Saw 2 feedings today, The lil one got fed pretty well at both. 6:30 & 11:30 am.

    4. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 11:42 am - Reply

      11:38amEDT- George in with fish..to right corner again. Trey gets up, shoots right OVER ?Dos and waits to be fed.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 11:55 am - Reply

        Think it was a full fish; saw a gill cover …
        That may have been Uno the PS went over..I’m gonna have to study some more…I think Uno…

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 12:20 pm - Reply

        12:18pmEDT- 3 sleeping babies..Mom had to finish that fish by herself…..poor Gracie {;+)

    5. Betsy July 8, 2016 at 11:10 am - Reply

      I must be watching a different OspreyZone web cam. Yesterday it was chick #2 who was caught in the plastic, first with it around its leg and then stuck on a toe, and it was off sometime before 5:14 pm when chick #2 was jumping up and down winger-sizing totally free of plastic. It was chick #1 who pecked chick #3 last evening pulling out a clump of feathers. George is fine, he’s brought 3 fish today, a whole fish at 6:16 am, which Gracie apparently lost when she brought it way over to the right side because she continued begging calls; a headless fish at 6:27 am; and another whole fish just before 7:25 am. And it was chick #1 who had a major sneezing episode at 8:44 am. Chick #1 has been sneezing for at least 2 weeks now.

      • Betsy July 8, 2016 at 11:12 am - Reply

        And no squirt hit the camera lens, it is condensation.

        • Betsy July 8, 2016 at 12:39 pm - Reply

          And, I forgot to put the whole fish George brought at 8:28 am.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 12:30 pm - Reply

        I feel like I’m back to Ronnie and Sandy all over again ! Just when I think it’s safe to make a call ! Will just go with Biggies till someone climbs up there and paints toenails..uh, talons. That’s a joke, people, not a real suggestion! And if Trey keeps eating the way she is, she may become a blur of feathers to me, too!
        And I corrected myself on the smeary lens…

        • Betsy July 8, 2016 at 1:49 pm - Reply

          Sorry, Carol, saw the lens correction after I hit post!! 🙁

          As far as telling the two older chicks apart, I know you at least try!! 🙂 And, it is difficult at times to tell who’s who. I already made two videos on how to tell them apart. I know you watched at least one of them 🙂 There were very few viewers and they were probably the ones who were interested enough to find out. The rest of OZ viewers either know, think they know, or just don’t care. The ones who think they know or just don’t care have a 50% chance of correctly guessing which chick is which.

      • rjoneal July 8, 2016 at 1:19 pm - Reply

        7-7-16 Betsy- Reply I agree.

        • Betsy July 8, 2016 at 4:50 pm - Reply

          Hi, rjoneal … I’m not sure exactly what you mean — that I AM watching another webcam, or that my observations are correct? 😀

    6. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 10:22 am - Reply

      10:10amEDT..Incoming..to the no see corner again..Alarm call and the kids collapse as told…Dos was peeking, then got up to eat. The other two fell asleep, since they were down there..

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 10:35 am - Reply

        The Biggies take turns eating…may have them mixed up..I think Dos was first, followed by Uno…Trey just hangs out, resting that belly on a small clump, so she looks like she got stuck.By 10:32am, she is in there eating. Where on earth is she putting it? Wing pouches? Gracie flew out right after this.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 10:47 am - Reply

        10:48am- more alarm calls…flat chickies and eyeballs staring…

    7. Rob Bierregaard July 8, 2016 at 10:08 am - Reply

      Great to see the little guy doing so well! I’m heading up to Hog Island for the Raptor camp. We’ll be banding the young at that nest (26 fish delivered in one day!) on Tuesday.
      There’s a nest cam in Oxford, MA, with 2 young that have the most amazing difference in size I’ve ever seen. Definitely doesn’t look good for the little one there.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 12:32 pm - Reply

        Yay for you!!! I want your job when I grow up! Keep up the good work…

      • rjoneal July 8, 2016 at 2:05 pm - Reply

        7-8-16 Reply Rob B. WOW 26 fish wasn’t Steve’s record 15 he really has upped his game. Steve is really good at bringing 2 fish at the same time, Our George has never brought two fish at the same time before. I often wondered why Steve does and George has not. Is there such a record book for the most fish caught by an Osprey in one day time period? If not there should be.

        Thank you for checking in with us, this year so far has been emotional and amazing although some things are the same as last year a lot is different. This year Gracie tends to leave the babies alone in the nest a lot more than last year. She is on the perch but last year it was either George or Gracie they really didn’t leave alone till they started flying. Gracie and Georges habits from last year are the same. George has not feed the babies as much as he did last year but this seems to be Gracie’s choice who just wants the whole fish and shoves it down those babies so she can relax. Gracie has become such a good mother against what they say, during the little guys(baby 3) younger age she would go out of her way to get food to him/her. Human emotions immediately take over when you see this. Also we have witnessed her trying to distract the other siblings when they were pecking at the little guy(baby3) Baby 3 has bald featherless area on back of neck hopefully feathers will cover that up. I think our baby 3 is smart and uses every trick he can to get to the food or to get shade from mom.

        Have a wonderful and safe time at Hog Island for the Raptor camp!

      • Monica July 8, 2016 at 5:59 pm - Reply

        Rob – I watched the Oxford, MA for just a bit. Happened to catch when the bigger chick was pecking the little guy for a while. Poor thing, I just don’t think he’s going to make it. 🙁

    8. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 9:20 am - Reply

      9:18am…uh oh…there goes the lens…thought we were in the clear..hehe..after Trey’s shot…

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 9:32 am - Reply

        Must have been just moisture, cause it’s looking clearer

    9. barbara July 8, 2016 at 9:04 am - Reply

      They are growing so fast!! Glad to see all appear healthy.

    10. Paula July 8, 2016 at 8:58 am - Reply

      Hi All,

      I hope George is all right. He didn’t bring a fish after about 6:30 or 7:00 last night and now only 1 fish this morning. I know it’s foggy there but it does look like it’s clearing up. I know that all 3 babes are very hungry and I just know that littlebit is gonna creep in to get some and he/she is gonna be beat up and it looks like the feathers are just starting to come back.
      I also saw the attack yesterday afternoon and it was really all littlebit’s fault. Gracie had just fed him/her almost a whole fish not more than 2 hours before and the other two didn’t have much at all, and he/she thought he /she was gonna push in and eat again and one of the biggies, I really can’t tell them apart anymore, did not like it.
      Anyway, I hope the fish deliveries pick up so that the peaceful loving feeling will continue in our nest.
      Have a great day.

    11. Mimes July 8, 2016 at 8:34 am - Reply

      The little on is getting so big and feathered I’m having a hard time telling him apart from the two older chicks. Camera perspective contributes to the confusion, too.

    12. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 8:32 am - Reply

      8:28amEDT…med.whole fish..Trey as vocal as Gracie..another indication she might be female? JK…Trey moves right in and gets first bites. Dos sitting next to her…Gracie out of sight on right.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 8:50 am - Reply

        8:48..Trey still eating…Dos, if I have it right, moved away and had a seriously squeaky sneeze attack. Uno just hung back and watched..still stuffed I guess.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 9:10 am - Reply

        8:53..Our little darling took a shot toward the cam and missed..George may have been hit, because the camera shook and George had words to say afterward….But Trey had room now, and went back in for more…Dos has been filling up since the sneezes.

    13. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 7:25 am - Reply

      7:25amEDT- George is favoring the no-see corner..whole fish -smallish-magically appears in Gracie’s claw and George is seen flying off…

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 7:41 am - Reply

        7:37am,,,George is near-by and he and Gracie are alarming. Looks like Biggies polished off that fish with Gracie…7:40..she steps out.

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 7:59 am - Reply

        Gracie brought in some branches….there is a bumblebee exploring the nest..it’s funny watching the chicks watching it….

    14. CarolV July 8, 2016 at 6:00 am - Reply

      5:47am..White out! Just a tad foggy this a.m. George will be feeling his way around!

      • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 6:17 am - Reply

        6:16am…Fish is in! YAY, George!

        • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 6:23 am - Reply

          I wonder if Gracie lost the fish…she had it off to right and now she’s yelling bloody murder! George had gone up to perch, as far as I could tell….

          • CarolV July 8, 2016 at 6:44 am - Reply

            Well.at 6:27, George came back with a headless fish..guess he snuck back and took the fish to get some breakfast?…Now, Trey is eating FIRST..Looked like Dos moved in ,as Trey kept an eye on where Uno was going.

    15. Rjoneal July 7, 2016 at 10:29 pm - Reply

      7-7-16 Reply- Helen and Marlene
      I’m glad that you found it informative. No matter how many years or how old you get there’s always something new you can learn every day. The same goes for ospreys. Even our Osprey experts learned something new about our nest last year and many are learning more and more because of the availability of having the live cams. Sometimes technology can really drive us crazy other times like in this case isn’t technology wonderful, informative and so exciting.

      Glad you’re both with us again this year our babies will be hovering and flying before we know it.

      I think the baby that is the fatter one looks a lot like Sandy to me and sleeps around a lot so definitely reminds me of Sandy our Nester. I really think it might be a female.

    16. Marlene July 7, 2016 at 9:19 pm - Reply

      Poor little Peanut has feathers missing from the back of his neck because of the nasty pecking from sibling #2 (I think). I think at that point #2 still had plastic wrap around his talon and had missed out on some food earlier. Maybe he was trying to chase #3 away from the latest fish. Poor baby. That must’ve hurt. Hope the rain stops.

    17. CarolV July 7, 2016 at 9:17 pm - Reply

      CLAIRE: You may have seen already…last year’s chicks were named when they started to fly. Everyone was given a chance to submit names and those who run/sponsor the site chose the official names. I imagine this year will follow along those lines. This is more or less a “private” project..with no scientific affiliations except in an informal way. Banding hasn’t been mentioned. We would love to be able to see where “our kids” migrate to, but it probably involves permits and permissions that involve more red tape than we can even imagine! And a lot of financial backing.

      • Claire July 8, 2016 at 11:28 am - Reply

        Thank you so much for your reply CarolV. It was very late in the season last year when I “found” this nest, so I know little about it. Thoroughly enjoying watching it!

    18. Dorothy July 7, 2016 at 8:36 pm - Reply

      #3 really took his licks today as the other 2 were feeding. #2 pecked him so hard that he pulled feathers out. It’s really hard to watch. I find myself yelling at the computer screen
      so much it upsets my poor dog. I can’t wait until he’s big enough to really defend himself/. I know it’s just the way it is but I sure don’t have to like it!!

    19. CarolV July 7, 2016 at 8:31 pm - Reply

      8:22pm..Somehow, my first evening post ended up under my 8 something a.m. post, but I think it’s all me this time. Nothing earth shattering…And I think I managed to lose something I had first posted…Keep hitting wrong things!
      Anyhow, just wanted to mention….the Verizon nest in Cutchogue appears to have 3 chicks, too. At least one has been sitting on the brim. Also, the rt.24/105 nest in Flanders(about 18-20 miles west) has , I think, at least 2. This nest only gets looked at for short periods of time as I wait at red lights, so very uncertain.But I.m judging that both the nests have chicks at least a few days older than the East Marion nest. It looks like the plentiful fish have been good for everyone.

    20. DarDar July 7, 2016 at 8:24 pm - Reply

      About 6:20 pm Thurs I think #2 got hades in him on little and he really pulled alot of feathers out of back neck. It was all about the food and little just pushed in too close and WHAMO. A hard to watch minute or two for me anyway. Tough sometimes.

    21. Kathleen July 7, 2016 at 7:51 pm - Reply

      My post of 6:51 p.m. mentioned wrong chick numbers.

    22. Kathleen July 7, 2016 at 7:48 pm - Reply

      Good Evening Everybirdy: Did anyone see the action at about 8:00 last night.? There were two loud calls from Gracie (she was on the camera housing) followed by six shrieks, then #1 & #2 hit the deck simultaneously. George looked around and then things returned to normal. I replayed that scene a number of times. I was amazed.

    23. Margaret July 7, 2016 at 7:13 pm - Reply

      7:09 pm. I watched baby #3 around 2:00 ish being fed.. He/she ate almost the entire fish. I just love that little chick, and I love the way she looks and watches Gracie’s every move

    24. Robin July 7, 2016 at 7:11 pm - Reply

      Mom and three chicks all huddled together in the rain – looking very peaceful in the nest and #3 at the bottom of the huddle puddle.

    25. Kathleen July 7, 2016 at 6:51 pm - Reply

      Did anybirdy see that action last night around 8:00? Gracie gave a cry from the camera – two short cries and then six fast shrieks – #3 & #2 simultaneously hit the deck. I was stunned.
      George looked around but then it was nest as usual.

    26. Elise-Maree July 7, 2016 at 6:50 pm - Reply

      Had to switch off after seeing youngest chick getting badly pecked by one of the others, pulled out some of the neck feathers. Has had a big feed though. I hope he survives all this.

    27. Tom H. July 7, 2016 at 6:16 pm - Reply

      At 2:24pm Thursday, it looked like #1 wanted to take a peck at # 3, but # 3 sensed it so well it immediately took cover under Gracie before # 1 could attempt to hurt #3. Amazing to watch the growth of these creatures.

    28. Marlene July 7, 2016 at 6:16 pm - Reply

      George brings in a half fish at 6:00 p.m. Amazing! Anyway, #3 starts eating with the siblings and is pecked at by the baby with the plastic around its talon. I would think it’s #1, because I believe he’s the one who usually attacks Peanut, but I thought by the size it was #2. Can’t tell. But, the good news from what I can see is that it’s a small piece of plastic now — not the whole entire piece. But whoever did the biting of our little baby actually had its fur in its mouth. Poor little guy.

    29. Monica July 7, 2016 at 6:10 pm - Reply

      6:05pm – Well, I spoke too soon. Just watched #1 pecking the little guy. Even though the little guy ‘gave up’ immediately and laid down, the #1 bully kept pecking at him. So much so that he pulled out a couple of feathers. I guess the half fish was the catalyst. #1 figures that’s just not going to be enough food for three chicks. Lordy, lordy, lordy – I hope there’s an abundance of fish tomorrow. 🙁

    30. Monica July 7, 2016 at 5:54 pm - Reply

      Hello Osprey Lovers!!

      So, has the little guy been well fed today? Yesterday I didn’t see any pecking at all. Well, at least the hours that I viewed. Although he’s the runt, he stands up for himself. He is one assertive little chick!!

      Any ‘updates’ would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!! 🙂

      • Robin July 7, 2016 at 7:14 pm - Reply

        I noticed the same as you Monica. #3 is VERY assertive!

      • JP(K) July 8, 2016 at 3:06 am - Reply

        Didn’t see any pecking today when I checked in, some dirty looks given with raised heads, but no actual pecking. Saw some feeding in the am, not in the evening, they all got showered on very late this afternoon. I could swear No. 3 was shivering for a little while.

    31. Helen July 7, 2016 at 5:51 pm - Reply

      George is in the nest right now – am struck by how much he and Sandy resemble each other.

      • Helen July 7, 2016 at 6:55 pm - Reply

        Ei am thinking maybe it is Ronnie he resembles –

    32. Nancy July 7, 2016 at 5:41 pm - Reply

      4:30 pm #1 seems to have fish bone caught in the feathers on his face. Yikes. Close to his eye too !

    33. Marlene July 7, 2016 at 5:38 pm - Reply

      George brought in a whole fish around 2:00 p.m., which was eaten practically entirely by #1(?). I think that was #1, and I think #2 is the one that has the black plastic attached to a talon. Poor baby! I noticed that he was able to eat part of a fish that George brought to the nest at 4:56 p.m. That second fish was devoured by #3. I’ve checked again to see if the chick freed its talon, and it looks as if it has, but that there is a small piece still attached. Cannot be sure. That plastic sure is a pain. But we know that Gracie has a fetish for it.

      • Robin July 7, 2016 at 7:28 pm - Reply

        Gracie obviously thinks the black plastic serves a good purpose in the nest – we just don’t know what it could be – was thinking maybe camouflage? or soft cushioning? who knows!

    34. Karen DeLong July 7, 2016 at 5:09 pm - Reply

      504pm—Check out that baby’s crop! That kid looks like he/she is going to explode!

    35. Marlene July 7, 2016 at 4:23 pm - Reply

      rjoneal, a lot of good information in that email. Thanks. So many viewers are becoming osprey experts. That’s great. I’ve learned so much from watching and reading comments since last year.

    36. Nancy July 7, 2016 at 3:05 pm - Reply

      3 p.m. I can’t get over how windy it is up there. We’ve barely got a breeze on the ground on the South Fork.

    37. Sylvia July 7, 2016 at 2:59 pm - Reply

      14:58 finally a fish. Babies, especially our L’l Bits Trey are hungry. No weird sticks thank you – just the food please.Yes!! L’l Bits Trey is first in line as he has not had very much all afternoon. Good for you L’l baby, go munch.

    38. BirdRJSviewer16 July 7, 2016 at 2:15 pm - Reply

      2:14 pm It seems like one of the chicks #1 or #2 has a bag caught around his foot. Hope he can bit it off.

    39. Jara July 7, 2016 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      2:01 pm Eastern Houston I think we have a problem. I thought I noticed earlier that one of the larger kids got its foot caught in some plastic. I now see that I was right. The poor thing is trying to get to Gracie to get some food but it is hung up on the plastic. Trying to get loose but starting to panic . Has moved to lower right of screen panting heavily. Could be a fatality in the making.

      • Jara July 7, 2016 at 3:27 pm - Reply

        3:08 pm Eastern – UPDATE: George brought in another fish and tangled kid got up. Foot was still stuck but after some flapping and jumping he got it loose finally and headed for Gracie. Poor thing must be starving. It must be kid #2 because Little one doesn’t seem afraid of it. Little one is eating quite peacefully beside the big one.

      • Renee July 7, 2016 at 6:06 pm - Reply

        At 18:01 both larger kids went to Mom to get fed, saw nothing on either foot and both went from the right side to the left side..

    40. sallyanne July 7, 2016 at 1:54 pm - Reply

      July 7, 1:52PM CT time Just checking in and enjoyed seeing “the guys” viewing their beautiful surroundings. Chick #3 did a wing stretch, and looked quite confident as he hangs out with his larger siblings.

      Way to go, #3!!

    41. E Cole July 7, 2016 at 1:46 pm - Reply

      I watch several osprey nest in Boulder Colorado two different places in Montana Maine and Scotland and all Their nest are so nice and clean The Long Island osprey nest is so messy with the black garbage bags that are brought in by the parent

    42. Elizabeth July 7, 2016 at 11:54 am - Reply

      So glad to see #3 is thriving! Thank you everyone for keeping me updated with all your comments and videos. Will be waiting for the name suggestions to start.

    43. Lady Di July 7, 2016 at 8:40 am - Reply

      Gonna be another hot one today…it’s 8:40am, already 84 degrees and 81% humidity. No wind either.

      • Bonnie July 7, 2016 at 10:23 am - Reply

        Yes it will be hot. That black plastic will make it reel even more hotter. Wish there was a way to get rid of it.

    44. Leesa July 7, 2016 at 8:38 am - Reply

      Good morning everyone. Enjoyed seeing the chicks all wake up this morning, and looked up at the perch at mom and dad in anticipation of breakfast. They were all preening and just hanging out when Gracie sounded an alarm at 5:05, and boy did they hunker down quickly. Amazing how they know these signals! # 3 got a good breakfast first, which I was glad to see.

    45. Karen DeLong July 7, 2016 at 8:27 am - Reply

      Est. 815am or so, mom is feeding baby all by him/her self while #1 just watches. I didn’t see any bonking (not saying it didn’t happen, just didn’t see anything….) Our little one ‘s crop looks like he/she found the ‘mother lode’!

    46. Helen July 7, 2016 at 8:18 am - Reply

      Baby chowing down.

    47. CarolV July 7, 2016 at 8:04 am - Reply

      7:52am..George in with headless fish. Gracie was daydreaming so Trey was trying on her own. Looked like she got some snippets. Gracie took off.for a few minutes.

      • CarolV July 7, 2016 at 8:13 am - Reply

        8:13am I think Gracie is encouraging self feeding..fed a bit and left a bit for the Biggies to try on their own.

      • CarolV July 7, 2016 at 8:10 pm - Reply

        On scroll back, I saw the crazy bird which buzzed Gracie. It looked like a mockingbird. They can be very territorial.
        About 6pm, George landed a large headless fish practically on Gracie. @6:03. I saw what I think was George flying around in the background over the water, because it looked like chicks and Gracie watched him head on to perch right after that. Biggies are eating and making their happy noises. Trey was hanging to the side but got exiled to the far bottom right corner. And the rain shower came through.About 6:26, Trey made an end run around Dos?, playing “Stay away” from ?Uno. She had a few minutes of eating when Uno barged thru and started grabbing fish. Uno thought about bonking Trey but was distracted by Gracie holding out food.

    48. cheryl July 7, 2016 at 7:14 am - Reply

      At around 7am it’s the itchy and scratchy show, those new feathers are itchy!!! Lots of wing flapping and everyone seems happy and full.

    49. Paula July 7, 2016 at 7:11 am - Reply

      Hi All,
      Things have definitely been good in the nest the last few days. I’ve only seen one pretty brutal attack on littlebit 2 days ago, but since then there’s been looks or air pecks and he falls like a house of cards. Smart Bird! The fish that George has been bringing in is phenomenal. I’m guessing I missed an feeding this morning because #1 and #2 are just laying there letting littlebit eat his fill. While he was being fed and the way the light is hitting him I got a really good look at the back of his head where the brutes were pulling out his feathers and it really looks bald. Does anyone know how long it might take for them to grow back?
      Well everyone have a great day and hope the peace continues to reign in the nest!

    50. rjoneal July 7, 2016 at 7:06 am - Reply

      L.C. Sylvester here is an answer with web link . Hopefully you will find this useful. Also if you got time you can go back in comments Betsy and Leanne make videos and all of us Osprey Followers have posted info on this subject and egg hatching w pictures along with so much info. Betsy likes to research everything and has posted a lot of info this year that might help you.
      To answer your questions –
      • Mating System
      • monogamous
      • polygynous
      Ospreys are able to breed when they are three years old. However, in areas where there are not enough nest sites, ospreys may not breed until they are five years old. Once they have begun breeding, ospreys breed once per year. (Poole, 1989; Poole, 1994)
      Non-migratory ospreys breed in the winter and spring and lay their eggs between December and March. Migratory ospreys breed in the spring and summer and lay their eggs in April and May. The female lays one egg every day or every other day until she has laid two to four eggs. The male and female both incubate the eggs, which hatch after about 40 days. Because the eggs are laid one or two days apart, they also hatch one or two days apart. Chicks that hatch first are bigger than the other chicks and are usually dominant over the smaller chicks. If the parents cannot provide enough food for all of the chicks in the nest, the smallest chicks do not get enough food and sometimes die. This is called brood reduction. (Ehrlich, et al., 1988; Poole, 1989; Poole, 1994; Snyder and Snyder, 1991)
      When osprey chicks hatch, they are covered in white down with brown streaks on the face, back, and wings. When the chicks are 10 days old, the white down is replaced by charcoal-colored down. Chicks begin to grow feathers when they are two weeks old. Osprey chicks begin to fly when they are 48 to 76 days old. Once they can fly, osprey chicks begin to hunt for themselves, though they usually also take food from their parents until they can catch enough fish to feed themselves. (Poole, 1989; Poole, 1994)
      • Key Reproductive Features
      • iteroparous
      • seasonal breeding
      • gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
      • sexual
      • fertilization
      • oviparous
      • How often does reproduction occur?
      Ospreys breed once yearly.
      • Breeding season
      The breeding season lasts for approximately 2.5 to 4 months. Breeding begins between December and March in non-migratory populations. In migratory populations, breeding begins in April or May.
      • Range eggs per season
      1 to 7
      • Average eggs per season
      3
      • Average eggs per season
      3
      AnAge
      • Range time to hatching
      32 to 43 days
      • Range fledging age
      48 to 59 days
      • Range time to independence
      7 to 17 weeks
      • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
      3 years
      • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
      Sex: female
      1095 days
      AnAge
      • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
      3 years
      • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
      Sex: male
      1095 days
      AnAge
      Male and female ospreys both care for their young. They feed the chicks and protect them from predators and cool, wet weather. The male provides all of the fish for the chicks before they can fly. This means that males have to catch up 10 fish each day for the female and the chicks. The parents tear the fish into small pieces for the chicks to eat. Osprey parents hunt fish for their chicks until the chicks can hunt enough fish to feed themselves. Chicks can usually feed themselves two to eight weeks after they begin flying. (Poole, 1989; Poole, 1994)
      During the first few weeks after hatching, osprey chicks cannot control their body temperature very well. The female parent broods the chicks frequently for the first two weeks and during very hot or cool weather until they are about four weeks old. Both parents spend a lot of time protecting the nest from other ospreys and potential predators. (Poole, 1989; Poole, 1994; Poole, et al., 2002)

      http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Pandion_haliaetus/

      • helen July 7, 2016 at 11:02 am - Reply

        Very interesting Rjoneal. Thank you. Will print it out and keep it.

    51. DarDar July 7, 2016 at 6:55 am - Reply

      6:40 am Thurs. ANOTHER one-on-one feeding for Little. Now thinking whats up with 1 & 2 they don’t even bother getting up.

    52. CarolV July 7, 2016 at 6:42 am - Reply

      about 5:20amEDT Gracie shared leftovers with Trey. The gang has been up and down, stretching and checking things out. I haven’t seen George yet.
      @6:39….sounds of joy…Gracie yelling and Trey echoing. George brings in a good sized whole fish, says good morning and heads back out.

      • CarolV July 7, 2016 at 7:26 am - Reply

        7:21am..Trey has been with Gracie this whole time, eating, and made several attempts to peck at the fish herself. ?Dos was eating with her for a bit. ?Uno just chillin’. Finally moves in about 7:24. Betsy..please check me. ;+}

        • CarolV July 7, 2016 at 7:32 am - Reply

          Think I’m right, cause Trey folded up in the presence of this Biggie…she was well fed anyway.

        • Betsy July 7, 2016 at 10:31 am - Reply

          CarolV: Had to catch up first!! … Bingo!! But, Trey didn’t completely fold up!! 😀 She watched, winger-sized, preened, looked around, played with nest things, changed position, and slept right next to chick #1 while chick #1 ate!! 😀 (Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf!! 😀 😀 )

    53. DarDar July 7, 2016 at 6:21 am - Reply

      Little is getting a one-one feeding from Mom at 5;20 am Thurs the 2 biggies are still sleepy or still full from last evening. Good to see the growth spurt from little.

    54. Helen July 7, 2016 at 5:25 am - Reply

      L’il one stuffing it down…

    55. Claire July 7, 2016 at 5:18 am - Reply

      Could anyone please tell me if these wee ones will be named or banded? Thank you.

    56. Marlene July 6, 2016 at 10:26 pm - Reply

      Bedtime snack — another fish from George at 8:41 p.m. Looks like #1 and #2 ate mostly, then it started getting dark and I couldn’t see if #3 got any dessert. But, I have to say, they all look like stuffed babies! Sweet dreams, little ones. Yawn.

    57. Marlene July 6, 2016 at 10:15 pm - Reply

      I made a typo in my previous comment. George brought in the second whole fish around 7:35 p.m.

    58. Marlene July 6, 2016 at 10:13 pm - Reply

      George delivered a whole fish at approximately 6:00 p.m., which was eaten by #2 and #3. Then, around 6:35 p.m., he brought in another whole fish. Gracie tore it apart right in front of the camera. It was like a biology lesson that I did not need to see. I believe #1 ate that fish, because it was hard to discern which older sibling it was, due to the way Gracie was facing. If I remember correctly, Sandy always used to imitate Gracie whenever she would squawk. Now #3 is following in Sandy’s footsteps. It’s so cute. I also love the way the babies are rearranging the twigs. They are so adorable (especially our favorite).

    59. rjoneal July 6, 2016 at 9:02 pm - Reply

      7-6-16 pm
      Everyone if you are watching tonight at 19:23.23 bb1 I think it was pecks at the black plastic then goes for bb2s claw, he picks up his whole claw until bb2 can get it lose from him and tucks it back down. You know how at one time they had at least 2 different snow crab legs and claws in the nest, well he might just thought it was one of those and he was going to move it. I couldn’t stop laughing. (Bb1 was like hey whats going on down there thats mine give it back!)

      Did you see how much wing flapping was going on today? Just beautiful feathers and if we get a good wind soon they should be trying to hoover in the nest.

      George did so good today keeping plenty of fish coming to Gracie, poor Gracie she might need a chiropractor after this. Hopefully soon we will start to see the bb trying to feed themselves a little bit more.
      Love our Osprey family and followers

    60. JP(K) July 6, 2016 at 9:01 pm - Reply

      Wednesday 8:40pm George caught a Porgy! I’m impressed…

      • Betsy July 7, 2016 at 9:05 am - Reply

        JP(K): That’s exciting to know … I plan on making a highlights of the day for July 6th … now I have a name for the fish!! … 😀
        P.S. Why are you impressed??

        • JP(K) July 7, 2016 at 10:03 am - Reply

          Because if I am not mistaken, those fish are bottom dwellers… like flounder or fluke. Bunker, Blues and Stripers are at the surface regularly. not usually these guys. At least during the day. They are delicious, but very bony. Maybe they feed on the surface at night. George has caught some rather large fish recently.

    61. CarolV July 6, 2016 at 8:57 pm - Reply

      About 8:40pm…George brings in a bigger fish,,fluke, I think. Trey was heading in till she got the stink-eye from ?Uno who was laying near her, so she backed off. I guess Dos is packing it in.

      • CarolV July 6, 2016 at 9:28 pm - Reply

        9:26pm…Gracie is still working on that fish..one Biggie just settled in after getting stuffed. Trey hasn’t gotten up, I don’t think, since the evil-eye.

        • CarolV July 6, 2016 at 10:01 pm - Reply

          Through the darkness, you could just see Gracie scarfing the skin…I thought I saw Trey’s head upright and thought she might come over..but didn’t look like it. Gracie retired upstairs to the perch.

    62. Dorothy July 6, 2016 at 8:55 pm - Reply

      Is it me or do these hatchlings suddenly look smaller? I don’t think I am getting the live feed. Is anyone else getting a feed in focus then out of focus? This is the strangest cam I have yet to see.

    63. CarolV July 6, 2016 at 8:36 pm - Reply

      About 4:40ish p.m…Saw Gracie feeding a ?menhaden to the Biggies., all the while commenting to George, on the perch, that that sardine wasn’t gonna cut it! Trey scooted up behind and grabbed, maybe, a fin but I’m not sure she ever swallowed it. The fish was gone in no time.
      Around 6:07pm…another smallish whole fish…Gracie takes and starts filling up Trey. I love the way she sits..like Humpty Dumpty on her rump…She’s that round…okay egg-shaped…The Biggies came over for more and by 6:20, another fish down the tubes (gullets)….
      6:35..ANOTHER FISH.. not sure what..maybe bluefish? at least it’s bigger.Saw Biggies eating and Gracie had some. Trey was on far side of G and it didn’t look like she ate, but not sure. And this one was gone by 7:15..
      Another small whole fish @7:35…Biggies and Gracie..gone in 15…Trey seems to be sleeping..hopefully she was well fed earlier.

    64. Shar July 6, 2016 at 7:59 pm - Reply

      I think it was about 18:58 on todays video if anyone can scroll back to that……….bb1 was kind of laying in front of the mother as she fed him/her, bb2 made his/her way over and watched for a second , but there was no room for him cause of the first babys sprawl……… finally he/she pecked bb1 on his/her wing – which made him/her move immediately. I am so glad that they aren’t pecking each other hard anymore.

    65. Dorothy July 6, 2016 at 7:49 pm - Reply

      Wow, is that one of the older chicks self feeding? That’s a first. Time marches on. Maybe now they will leave #3 alone more if they can eat by themselves.

    66. Karen DeLong July 6, 2016 at 6:49 pm - Reply

      Lord have mercy! Mommy is stuffing the baby to the gills while one of the biggies is waiting patiently. I never thought I’d see the day! Hooray for Mom, Dad, and baby!! YES!! ?

    67. Rjoneal July 6, 2016 at 4:31 pm - Reply

      7-6-16 Reply Karen Delong-
      I’m glad you’re still checking in there are good days and bad days but for the most part there’s no fighting anymore every once in a while bb3 will get pecked like yesterday but he started it so he deserved it. It’s not real brutal or anything like that. Just a friendly reminder what bb3 place is in the nest. So don’t be afraid to watch it.
      As you said they are changing so much and either bb1 or bb2 will probably be hovering soon they have been flapping their wings like crazy and it is so neat to watch them hover up and down in the nest.

      • Karen DeLong July 6, 2016 at 5:35 pm - Reply

        Yep. Just ABSOLUTELY amazing how the little one is sprouting feathers all over the place. And it’s the little ones birthday! Hooray for that little cutie.

      • L.C. Sylvester July 6, 2016 at 5:42 pm - Reply

        At what age does the female mate and have eggs???

    68. rjoneal July 6, 2016 at 4:14 pm - Reply

      7-6-16 Carol IV
      I dont know if you are able to scroll back to 14:16.49 by the time this posts but I wanted to tell you baby 3 today definitely was using mombrella it was so cute. Gracie was grooming her long feathers and bb3 was just pressed up on her leg getting shade then either bb1 or bb2 just started flapping wings, going to be hoovering soon I think. Couldn’t see which one they are both on the rt side of nest mostly out of view but you sure could see wings just a flapping.

      • CarolV July 6, 2016 at 9:58 pm - Reply

        Sorry I missed it..too late getting home…thanks for passing along how well winger-cize is going. I saw 5 fish come in after 4:40 or so, and I don’t think Trey ate much. She looked okay, full crop. Not many comments filled in for afternoon, but there is mention by Jo-Ann of a Moby Dick fish about 2 or so. And that everyone had a feast. I guess Trey is still full?
        Crazy how we worry about these babies!
        BTW…all those fish were whole, so either George is sneaking one in for himself, or he gave his all for the kids and his sweetie…

    69. HollyW July 6, 2016 at 4:09 pm - Reply

      Happy Birthday “Rocky”.. You have grown leaps and bounds the last few days..keep on fighting little one..we know you are gonna make it!❤??

    70. Bre July 6, 2016 at 3:17 pm - Reply

      I was thinking #1’s name should be Rudy lol

    71. Monica July 6, 2016 at 2:45 pm - Reply

      A lot of ‘grooming’ going on today by Gracie and the little guy. Love that little guy!! <3

    72. Betsy July 6, 2016 at 2:40 pm - Reply

      😀 I made mention on July 1st when the first-hatched chick was 4 weeks old and today for the “baby” … but I didn’t for chick #2!! It’s going to have middle chick syndrome!! 😀

      • CarolV July 6, 2016 at 10:04 pm - Reply

        Happy hatchday to you..happy hatttcchhhddaaaaayyyyyy to YOOOOuuUUUUUUUU . one, three and don’t for-get TWO.oooooooooooo

    73. Jo-Ann July 6, 2016 at 2:16 pm - Reply

      P.S. to my comment of yesterday that I observed that the fish George had been bring in the last few days being on the small side. Well George has now again been delivering those Moby Dick sized fish which can feed all three and Gracie also. I guess George isn’t hungry when he delivers the fish with the head on. A feast was had by all.

    74. Jo-Ann July 6, 2016 at 1:14 pm - Reply

      July6@1;00 P.M.(EST) I guess the fish that George brought in at 9:54 A.M. will be baked fish de jour. Gracie is I think feeding a previously delivered fish to Rocky seems the other two must have already been fed from that fish.They are very far to the right so it’s hard to tell. But no interest in the fish just delivered. It is very hot here today so that fish will be baked very quickly.
      At 10:20 Gracie begins feeding Baked fish to Baby 1 but he must be very full and moves away at 10:26 leaving Gracie to get to eat alone.

    75. Dawn July 6, 2016 at 1:09 pm - Reply

      Our family seems a bit camera shy today. 🙁

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