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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. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 10:34 pm - Reply

      Jane. Look at those eyes!!

    2. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 10:07 pm - Reply

      George. Check out his feathers!!

    3. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 10:04 pm - Reply

      George watches Jane taking an evening “stroll.”

    4. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 9:03 pm - Reply

      Jane was getting pestered by a mockingbird while she was on the perch, so she flew off …

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 9:04 pm - Reply

        and the little tormentor gave chase!! (L side in pic!!)

        • CarolV June 12, 2018 at 4:30 pm - Reply

          I think those mockingbirds are a bit crazy! Love them!

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm - Reply

        Was tied up for a good part of the afternoon with atty about uncle Bardonia house situation. I glanced at comments, saw something about Dr. B, Gracie, my name … have to go back and read comments — 3 hrs behind on video … got to catch up first!!

    5. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:21 pm - Reply

      What to expect for the coming week…………

    6. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:19 pm - Reply

      Sometimes ya just gotta get that itch!

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:25 pm - Reply

        And a good chin scratch!

        “.. the sun has gone to bed and so must I-eye……….
        …………..good-night……good niiigh’htttt…GGGOOOOOODDDDD nnniiiiiiiiiiiiiighhtttt…………..”

        • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:42 pm - Reply

          And one more……………. no purple mountains majesty, just purple bay, your highness…….

        • Trinity June 12, 2018 at 6:43 am - Reply

          Still one of my favorite movies 😀

    7. Michael G. Martin June 11, 2018 at 7:25 pm - Reply

      Hi Group
      Thanks Carol and the others for bringing me up to speed on this Soap Opera that is shaping up as we speak Carol I do like your naming this Soap “ As the Nest Turns “
      One big question, I read and also here that Ospreys mate for Life. Now taking into account the Gracie did not return.
      My big question is would George take up that Interloper named “ Jane “ so fast as to not wait a little while longer or do Ospreys have the morals of an “ Alley Cat “ He didn’t even wait for the Nest to get Cols before that “ Harlequin “ seduced our Grieving George.
      Whatever happened to Fidelity in a Relationship
      I’m Heartbroken over poor defenseless Gracie left out in the Cold

      Thanks All
      Mike

      • Leesa Downs June 11, 2018 at 11:21 pm - Reply

        Mike, I like you had read that Ospreys mate for life. However, in light of what has happened at the OZ nest this year, there was a comment made some time ago that Ospreys are more dedicated to the nest site itself than to each other. I don’t remember who wrote that, and I have not done any research on it, but it would explain why George took up with another female so readily. No way we will ever know what drama went on earlier, or if Gracie had just arrived soon before or soon after the camera actually came on live. I’m like you and heartbroken for Gracie, but we have to keep telling ourselves these are still wild animals, and we are just observers in their environment. Sure is making for an interesting story, though, that’s for sure.

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:30 pm - Reply

        Michael G. Martin: Hi, Mike!! Yes, George would; the reverse would be true for Gracie if George did not return.

        I’m re-posting Alyssa’s comment from May 30th. Hope this answers your question:

        Alissa May 30, 2018 at 10:44 am – Reply
        Thought this information might be interesting to us when we think about why Gracie is not around. On one hand I am holding out hope to see her lovely self again. On the other, my heart goes out to this new female who thinks she has found the perfect mate and might learn she is only the mistress!

        I found this on http://www.jamaicabayosprey.org/faq-about-ospreys:
        What happens when one mate migrates back to the nest before the other?
        The longer the time interval between mates arrival at the breeding site, the more likely it is that the first to arrive will attract or be attracted to a new mate. Yes, Ospreys do mate for life as far as we know, but that bond needs to be reinforced each spring by the arrival of the second mate. If too much time elapses, a bird will accept another mate since the instinct to breed is far greater – and more important – than the instinct to wait for a mate that may have perished over the winter.
        What happens if an Osprey returns to find his or her partner with a new mate?
        In most cases, the late returning bird will drive off the new bird as the bond between the old mates will be stronger than the newly formed bond between the old and new mates, especially if the new mate is a young bird. We often see three Ospreys on a nest and conflicts between two of them early in the nesting season. These conflicts are usually short in duration and no one gets hurt in the process. However, once I found an adult Osprey dead in the nest while two adults went about their business of egg laying and rearing young. I do not know if the dead bird was a former mate or an intruder.

        • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 6:39 pm - Reply

          After re-reading my comment just now as I was reading the new comments on this page, I want to clarify: I should have written I am re-posting Alissa’s POST, which included the information about osprey mates!

          P.S. – Sorry Alissa, I also just noticed I had misspelled your name!!

      • Paula June 12, 2018 at 9:15 am - Reply

        This is exactly how I feel and I’m having a hard time being happy about “Jane”. Thanks for putting into words for me!

      • GinaM June 12, 2018 at 9:26 am - Reply

        Michael, there is a very good chance that Jane was at the nest before George or Gracie returned North. George could have arrived at the nest, saw her there and let nature take over- building up the nest and making little ospreys. (Jane is an exotic beauty, after all) Meanwhile, Gracie could have a set up at a completely new nest nearby with a new mate (Verizon Vic?) and went for a fly around and spotted her old nest with her first mate with a new female and landed on it forgetting which nest was hers – thinking she had to protect it?.Who knows? Maybe she wintered in Jamaica at a Rastafarian beach and inhaled a little too much second hand smoke and is a little spacey now.
        There are so many theories, but without the benefit of the camera early on, we’ll never know.
        For me, I am so grateful that Gracie is alive. The interesting thing will be WHO will be in the nest next season? Jane? Gracie? I guess it depends on who gets there first.

      • Isabella June 12, 2018 at 2:58 pm - Reply

        Michael G. Ospreys mate for life,but there can be divorce. Since camera was down, the why’s and how’s can’t be answered. Gracie may or may not be on another nest. May or may not be back at this nest next season. I don’t know how it’s that interlopers fault. And that harlequin is our sweet Jane,who was possibly seduced by George! I just hope things settle down and eggs hatch. P.S. first time I’ve been referred to as other!

    8. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 7:19 pm - Reply

      “MY< MY< MY……..what a beautiful day!

      Did anyone see a fish delivery today?
      Haven't been able to watch much…. Maybe George is across on the South Fork, watching the US Open @ Shinnecock Hills!

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:36 pm - Reply

        CarolV: George brought Jane a fish at around 10:35:40. That’s the only one I recall seeing him bring today.

    9. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 5:13 pm - Reply

      Sing along with me…………………….
      . There’s a somebody
      I’m longin’ to see
      I hope that he turns
      Out to be
      Someone to watch over me
      I’m a little lamb
      Who’s lost in the wood
      I know I could
      Always be good
      To one
      Who’ll watch over me……………………………. And a beautiful day for a sail!

    10. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:14 pm - Reply

      What was this about?????

      HELLO?

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:15 pm - Reply

        ………only the Shadow knows!………….

        • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:17 pm - Reply

          skittered over George’s back………………

          • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:18 pm - Reply

            …..off the front………….

            • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:21 pm

              ..and across the front

              Maybe the pest came around and she decided to go after him? Or was she prompting George to move it along????

            • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 3:23 pm

              Jane was in a few minutes later when George left.

    11. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 2:56 pm - Reply

      Much improvement in the color department! Funny what a little sunshine will do!

      Lot of yelling…………. but looks like the audio and video don’t match

    12. nfc June 11, 2018 at 2:00 pm - Reply

      Hello to all of the Osprey Zone followers. My students studied eagles at SWFEC and had a classroom session with Shelli. I have started showing the students this nest and asking for comments and comparisons from what we learned. I thought you would enjoy seeing what they see. Here are a few 4th grade comments:
      Stella— Do they hunt for fish right there in the ocean since it is right near the nest? I asked her what she thought. She replied yes.
      Emily— Do they get their twigs from the shore? We discussed this and talked about how big some of the twigs are on the nest this year after the storms we have had.
      Angeline— The eggs are cool with all the different colors.
      Cassius— This is the best location for a nest because they are close to the fish.
      Luke— This osprey nest is messier thank the eagle nest.
      Sophia— Ospreys have a beautiful view from the nest.
      I showed them a picture of the nest that I took in Feb. 2017. They thought it looked cool. They wanted to know how it was built and how they get up there.

      Hopefully I will get some 3rd grade and 5th grade comments later in the week. As the saying goes——” Out of the mouth of babes!” It is very interesting to see their thought processes. The school is also on the North Shore of Long Island, but in Queens. We don’t have a water view. The water is about 1 mile away. Hope you enjoy reading the comments. My students know me as Mrs Comstock. Here I use nfc

      • Admin Shelli June 11, 2018 at 3:03 pm - Reply

        What wonderful questions and answers! Thanks for sharing them with us.
        This is one of the main reasons I do what I do…to educate others about these amazing birds and all wildlife 🤗

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:40 pm - Reply

        Love it! They get right to the heart of the matter! And the eggs are pretty!
        Thanks for sharing………..

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:42 pm - Reply

        nfc: What astute observations!! I have to agree with Sophia, ospreys do have a beautiful view from the nest!!

    13. CarolV June 11, 2018 at 1:13 pm - Reply

      Came home from a morning at Firestone Auto, (where I donated the usual arm&leg) it was nice to see our video up again! Thanks, Shelli, thanks, Aidan!

      It was funny, on the drive home, that I saw the usual crow chased by small bird episode. But I also saw a bird go for an osprey! The osprey was leisurely gliding circles on the wind, minding his own business, when some little crazed bird started buzzing him! I thought I had mis-identified a hawk, but, no, it WAS an osprey. I swear he did a sort of doubletake and started bobbing&weaving till he was out of range of the little maniac! I guess the little guys are programmed to go for raptors, no matter what kind! Yet, we have birds that make their homes right within the osprey nests! Nature is amazing!

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:53 pm - Reply

        CarolV: It’s funny to watch the sparrows chasing the crows by me!!

        “What’s Going On When I See Little Birds Going After A Big Bird?
        April 1, 2009

        You witnessed a behavior called “mobbing,” where smaller birds swoop and dash at flying or perched larger birds (and sometimes mammals). They typically do this in an effort to drive away potential predators from a breeding territory, a nest or young, or a nonbreeding home range.

        Common mobbers include chickadees, titmice, kingbirds, blackbirds, grackles, jays, and crows. Common targets of mobbing are hawks, crows, ravens, herons, and owls. Mobbing can happen at any time of year, but it is especially common in spring as birds experience surges of hormones, become territorial, and begin to nest.

        There are different kinds of mobbing. Birds may chase other birds away from their territories or a food source. For example, in the early spring Red-winged Blackbirds chase not only rival blackbirds, but almost any other bird, big or small, that crosses their territory.

        Mobbing is also used by birds as a way to protect themselves and their young against predators. In these cases you often see a single smaller bird chasing a larger bird in flight (sometimes two or three join the chase as the larger bird crosses territories).

        In some cases you’ll run across a group of birds harassing a perched predator. Often, several different species join forces to mob this common threat. The mobbing birds tend to use similar-sounding call notes, regardless of their species, and this may act to recruit other individuals to form a mobbing flock. It’s this phenomenon that’s behind the success of pishing, in which a birder imitates mobbing calls to bring birds into view. Our Birding Warblers video features a segment on pishing.

        Mobbing calls may also act as warnings to other small birds, may call in even larger predators to go after the target of the mobbing, and may inform a predator that it has been spotted, causing it to move to another area with unsuspecting prey.

        Owls in particular elicit intense mobbing behavior, as they often prey on sleeping birds. Smaller birds chase these predators out of their territories so that they will be safer at night. Owls are such frequent targets of mobbing—and so hard to see otherwise—that listening for mobbing calls is a good way to find owls during the day.

        Mobbing usually does not harm the larger bird, although you may see blackbirds or kingbirds making contact with crows, hawks, or herons as they drive them off. But the behavior is tied more to driving away a predator than causing it injury. At the same time, mobbing is not as dangerous to the smaller birds as it may look, either. The lack of surprise, and the greater maneuverability of the mobber, take away much of the predator’s advantage.”

        Source: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/sometimes-i-see-little-birds-going-after-a-big-bird-why-do-they-do-this/

    14. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 12:29 pm - Reply

      Jane came back from breakfast at around 10:51:50, landing on the perch first before jumping down to the nest a few seconds later. George got up and then stood right in front of the camera for a bit to show us his handsome self before flying away.

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 12:50 pm - Reply

        Jane first tidied up around the egg bowl before sitting on the eggs, but this piece of wood kept giving her trouble!! After almost placing it in one spot …

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 12:53 pm - Reply

        she decided she wanted it further back … but when she let it go, the piece of wood rolled down toward the egg bowl …

        • Isabella June 11, 2018 at 9:26 pm - Reply

          Love Her look in #5 pic. Do you people see what I have to deal with! Lol

          • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 6:44 pm - Reply

            Isabella: It does look like that, doesn’t it??!! 😀 😀

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 12:55 pm - Reply

        she repositioned another piece of wood …

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 12:56 pm - Reply

        Oh, heck, the video is funnier!!

        https://youtu.be/s72sm-Ab56o

    15. Trinity June 11, 2018 at 12:18 pm - Reply

      I just love watching George hunker down onto his eggs, does a shimmy shake to get cozy. He’s so attentive to his nest, including interior design.

    16. Richard O. Bierregaard June 11, 2018 at 11:52 am - Reply

      Hi, Osprey Zoners! Dr. B checking in. It’s been a really busy spring with the launch of my book, Belle’s Journey, and I’ve barely had time to keep up with all the cams. So, seems like there’s been a lot of drama here! I did see the picture of a bird in the nest getting strafed and rolled out of the nest a couple of days ago. Wow. would someone give me a quick summary of what happened with the new gal in town. Do we know or just think Gracie was present at some point–could it have been a different female?

      • Admin Shelli June 11, 2018 at 1:07 pm - Reply

        Hi Dr. B…nice to see u here! Congratulations on your new book…I loved it.

        Most of the group feels the female intruder was Gracie due to the plumage spot under her right wing. I’m not sure if there’s any way to be 100% but a couple of our long time viewers, who watch the nest way more than I do, strongly believe it was her.

        As far as a quick summary, I will let Carol or Betsy fill u in – they’ll have much more detail for u than I.

        Thanks again for all u do for the Osprey and I hope we see more of u here!

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 1:45 pm - Reply

        Hi, Dr. B……. glad you’re weighing in! I’m sure Betsy can fill you in better; she’s got the good pictures. It was a horrible fight and I only saw part of it. Hope to hear your opinion and/or explanation.

        • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 7:42 am - Reply

          Admin Shelli and CarolV: I think Isabella gave a great quick summary! Short and sweet!! Dr. B. should read that!! 😀 😀

          Okay, so anyway, because the camera did not come back online until May 22nd, we obviously don’t know if Gracie came back at her usual time of late March/early April or, if she did, if there was a fight between her and Jane with Jane winning, or if she made it back on time and then was injured here and couldn’t get back to the nest, or if she was late arriving here from migration to begin with. A couple of local viewers reported seeing an osprey pair at the nest but the pair could not be positively ID’d as Gracie and George. When the camera came back online, there was a not-Gracie female and there was George. On May 23rd, the 1st egg was laid, with the 2nd and the 3rd following, each after a 3-day interval.

          In the days leading up to the huge fight on June 5th an intruder(s) had been persistently, and with increasing frequency, trying to land on the perch or nest. On May 31, I caught a wing shot of the intruder and it appeared, to me, to be Gracie’s wing (based on her feather pattern).

          First pic of intruder wing on May 31, 2018 and 2nd of Gracie flying from nest from 2017

          • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 7:47 am - Reply

            The following pictures are of Gracie during the fight June 5th

          • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 7:56 am - Reply

            These are pictures of Gracie from years past.

          • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 8:13 am - Reply

            The pictures show that the intruder is Gracie, 100% absolutely, positively, without a doubt Gracie. Even if, for no other reason, at this point in the breeding season, why would an intruder so aggressively and persistently try to take over the nest, except Gracie who has invested years of her life at the nest with George.

            Plus, I’d like to submit that if we’re accepting that the male osprey, based on his markings and also on his “jizz” (http://www.10000birds.com/the-truth-about-jizz.htm), is George, then if just about every single marking, from the center head stripe, lateral head stripes, fringe of black feathers on the back of her head, chest spot (shape and position), feather patterns along the outer edge of the white feathers inside her wings, overall feather colorization and pattern matches and her “jizz” matches, really, what is there to question about the intruder being Gracie? If we don’t need an ID band to identify George, shouldn’t that apply to Gracie, too?

            • Suzanne June 13, 2018 at 10:01 am

              Thanks for the info, Betsy. I almost fell off my chair when you mentioned George’s “jizz”, but then I clicked on the link & learned what this means in the bird world LOL

            • Betsy June 13, 2018 at 2:07 pm

              Suzanne: Do I want to know what you thought it was??!! 😀

            • Betsy June 13, 2018 at 2:07 pm

              Never mind, Suzanne!! I see what you mean!! 😀 😀

            • Isabella June 13, 2018 at 2:56 pm

              OMG Betsy… l thought the same thing as Suzanne! Wasn’t going to touch that with a ten foot pole! Lol!! I also had to look it up.

            • Betsy June 13, 2018 at 4:17 pm

              Isabella: Guess I live in a bubble!! 😀 😀

            • CarolV June 13, 2018 at 5:36 pm

              Suzanne and Isabella…………… me, too! Did a little head snap on that one!

          • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 8:31 am - Reply

            The fight continued the next morning, June 6th, with Gracie showing she had sustained injuries. She took a super hard hit — it was more like a full-on high-speed body slam with claws out — from Jane (new female’s name) at 9:30 am. I have not seen Gracie since; however, yesterday there seemed to be an uptick in intruder fly-bys.

            • Kathy B June 13, 2018 at 7:32 pm

              This bottom pic really looks like Gracie…even the face. I’ve had her on my desktop for many months. I really do believe its her. i’m glad we didn’t lose her but I think next year she will have to get back here fast if she is going to take over the nest again. Why doesn’t George recognize her? Or its only about the nest?

              Sorry I want Gracie back !!!!

            • Betsy June 13, 2018 at 9:31 pm

              Kathy B: Hi Kathy! There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s Gracie. I love Gracie, too. But, due to unknown circumstances, George now has a new mate, Jane. I’ve grown to love her, also. I believe George recognizes Gracie, but because of such a strong instinct to breed, fiercely protecting the eggs and nest with his new mate takes precedence. I like CarolV’s thought that too bad George can’t have a polygamist relationship!!

          • Isabella June 12, 2018 at 5:41 pm - Reply

            Betsy..thx for the thumbs up! I’m sure they were looking for your extensive info and great pics. Just as I do!

            • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 6:24 pm

              Isabell: You’re welcome!! 🙂

            • Betsy June 12, 2018 at 6:25 pm

              Oops, sorry!! I misspelled your name, Isabella!!

      • Admin Shelli June 11, 2018 at 1:53 pm - Reply
      • margaretR June 11, 2018 at 2:10 pm - Reply

        I have enjoyed reading your book Belle’s Journey as well… Please give us some feed back regarding what took place during the fight at the nest– thank you

      • Admin Shelli June 12, 2018 at 9:48 am - Reply

        From Holkyw:
        Hi All.. I haven’t been on OZ much this year. I was away most of May and didn’t walk much past the nest. However to my best recollection in April, when I first spotted 2 ospreys at the nest, I swear it was Gracie by her chatter..hers is very unique. Later on when I did walk under it, I knew it wasn’t her, as she flew off before I even got close..Gracie never did that. I would always call up and say Hi, Gracie”, she would look down and pay me no mind. Around Memorial Day( when I returned home) I walked down my beach and before I reached the nest, on the edge of the western part of Tommy’s property, his landscaper had mowed. I found more than a dozen adult osprey feathers in the grass. My heart sunk, there’s something foul,smelling in the woods nearby. Questions started going thru my head. Did Gracie come back in April before cameras were on and some how get injured or killed? There have been so many osprey flying over my house , I gave no clue who they are or where they ate nesting. There are several nests within a mile of us.
        I signed on to OZ this a.m. and started reading some past posts. If I read correctly, Gracie was spotted in a battle with George and Jane on the 8th, who do the feathers I found in May belong to?
        As I sit here typing this I swear Gracie is outside my window screeching. I wish the camera had audio so some of you expert followers could help verify if it’s wishful thinking on my part or if Gracie is really still here and ok! If any of you should want to investigate this, you are welcome to my home..My covered porch is over 40′ long, you could sit and listen for her.

        • June c June 12, 2018 at 11:32 am - Reply

          Hi Holly I would love to come out.my email you can find when u click on to Avatar..

      • June c June 12, 2018 at 11:35 am - Reply

        Love your book Bella’s Journey..sent to my Granddaughter with picture of her and one with putting the transmitter on her..she is almost 10.

    17. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:05 am - Reply

      George brought Jane a fish at around 10:35:40. Again, when she went to get up, the wind caught her … this time there were funny dance steps as she righted herself!!

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:06 am - Reply

        Carried the fish away in her beak, again!! 😀

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 1:01 pm - Reply

        Looked a little like a flamenco….. needs to click her beak to the beat!………………… Nice shot!

    18. margaretR June 11, 2018 at 10:54 am - Reply

      The nest looks much better!!!

    19. Catherine June 11, 2018 at 9:50 am - Reply

      Is any one else having trouble with the live feed?? I keep getting an error message.

    20. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 9:23 am - Reply

      Jane gets caught by the breeze while getting up. She was able to catch herself, so no funny dance steps!

    21. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 8:39 am - Reply

      Jane rearranges the furnishings!

    22. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 8:19 am - Reply

      Jane accessorizes!

      • Meli June 11, 2018 at 11:51 am - Reply

        I love your beaklace, Jane!

      • Trinity June 11, 2018 at 12:11 pm - Reply

        Very avant-garde !

      • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 1:41 pm - Reply

        Betsy…… do you watch QVC? I think that’s one of their segments!

    23. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 7:49 am - Reply

      Jane made several trips in succession, bringing back clawfuls of dried grasses each time … this particular time landing on George’ back!

      • Isabella June 11, 2018 at 10:15 am - Reply

        George, try this on. Let’s see how it looks!

        • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:07 am - Reply

          Isabella: 😀 😀 😀

        • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 1:38 pm - Reply

          Cute, Isabella! Jane seems determined to put some padding on those lumber floors! Osprey rugs……….

    24. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 7:17 am - Reply

      Jane had just settled in after taking over from George to sit on the eggs when she had to wave off an intruder.

    25. Betsy June 11, 2018 at 6:31 am - Reply

      When I got up earlier this morning I checked the nest. I could see someone laying on the eggs, but couldn’t tell who.

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 6:34 am - Reply

        A little while later, when there was enough light to see better and the bird picked up its head, I saw that it was George!

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 6:36 am - Reply

        Curious about when Jane and George swapped egg duty, I scrolled back. Jane got up off the eggs at 04:06:24 hrs and then stood in the corner for a few minutes before flying away.

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 6:38 am - Reply

        Then, George jumped down from the perch to sit.

        • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 9:41 am - Reply

          Oops! Should have been this picture:

      • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 6:56 am - Reply

        I always get a kick out of watching George when he’s putting stuff on his back! Maybe he thinks he’s a duck!

    26. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 11:46 pm - Reply

      2018 STATS (Updated)

      Egg #1 laid on 05/23/2018 @ 12:04:41 hrs
      Egg #2 laid on 05/26/2018 @ 07:11:23 hrs
      Egg #3 laid on 05/29/2018 @ time unknown (camera was down between 05/28/2018 at 21:08:24 hrs
      and 05/29/2018 at 09:38:55 hrs – egg first seen 05/29/2018 at around 10:11:38 hrs)

      Gracie:
      Not seen 👀 at nest when camera came back online on 05/22/2018; Gracie seen on 06/05/2018 in huge battle with George and Jane while trying to reclaim nest

      George:
      First seen 👀 at nest: 05/22/2018 when camera came back online

      Jane (George’s new mate; officially named 06/08/2018):
      First seen 👀 at nest: 05/22/2018 when camera came back online

    27. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 11:02 pm - Reply

      George brought Jane a fish at 20:34 hrs and she flew off with it. He sat on the eggs until 22:05:28 hrs, when Jane returned and he left. Last evening, George was still on the nest until you couldn’t see anything anymore on the camera. Jane’s a real night owl!!

    28. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:08 pm - Reply

      20:33— Dinnerfish…….. most action out of sight…..

      Jane following George and fish incoming……..

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:10 pm - Reply

        Jane goes right……………. appears to take something

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:17 pm - Reply

          Osprey butt and Jane flying down on left…………..

          Temp in East Marion 62, dropping to 55 near sunrise. partly cloudy to overcast tonight.

          Have a good night, everyone!

    29. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 8:49 pm - Reply

      Just as an aside…. I had not gone back to the attack on June 5th because I didn’t want to watch again. But I had come to the conclusion that I was wrong in my sequence. I had a twitch of an idea that the bird that skittered in to the nest was Gracie but dismissed it as ridiculous. I hadn’t seen other videos or heard that Gracie was there at that time.
      Since than, I thought about what I had seen. with the idea Gracie was present and just went back now to look at my photos and to saw all your helpful corrections. I had reached the right conclusion but didn’t have the courage to verify till now…….. Thanks for your help.

    30. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 8:29 pm - Reply

      George was intensely studying something on the nest.

    31. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 8:18 pm - Reply

      George landed on the perch, so Jane flew off.

      • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 8:25 pm - Reply

        Then George hopped down from the perch to egg-sit.

    32. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:11 pm - Reply

      18:37EDT……………….. Jane out………..

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:12 pm - Reply

        George in……

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:33 pm - Reply

          Kayak down below…….

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:34 pm - Reply

            George out……..

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:36 pm

              Jane in…..

              She has become extremely proficient getting all snuggled in on those eggies!

    33. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 7:04 pm - Reply

      Jane looking regal

      • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 7:05 pm - Reply

        And, not so regal!

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:31 pm - Reply

        We all have our casual side……… if you could see ME now!

        • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 8:15 pm - Reply

          CarolV: Nothing like being comfy!!

    34. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 6:50 pm - Reply

      Jane defending the nest

    35. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 5:07 pm - Reply

      Look at those gams!! Jane flying off with the fish (by her beak) George brought her

    36. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 4:53 pm - Reply

      I wonder who the 2nd person was!! Probably CarolV!! 😀 😀 😀

      • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 4:53 pm - Reply

        I was so busy laughing I forgot the pic!!

        • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 5:15 pm - Reply

          And, I guess this would be me!!

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 7:16 pm - Reply

        Could be right! Have been logging in all day…with breaks

    37. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:26 pm - Reply

      A late afternoon lunch…………….. Jane heads to right……….

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:27 pm - Reply

        GOT IT!

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:28 pm - Reply

          BIG one!

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:30 pm - Reply

            off she goes with her lunch buddy………..

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:32 pm

              George making his careful way in………..

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:44 pm

              Jane is back…………

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 4:46 pm

              That was George getting up…… here’s Jane coming in……….

    38. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:50 pm - Reply

      It must be National Block the Camera Day………

      Jane brought in some grasses……….

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:51 pm - Reply

        George seemed reluctant to go…………… They had a chat………….

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:52 pm - Reply

          Perhaps a private discussion.

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:53 pm - Reply

            ……………ECLIPSE!!!!!!!!!…………………

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:55 pm

              Jane went upstairs and jumped back down when George left…….

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 3:19 pm

              Went back to rewatch this silliness and found it wasn’t reluctance on George’s part but nest guarding………… pest alert!

        • Trinity June 10, 2018 at 7:59 pm - Reply

          I’d love to know what goes on in their bird brains !

          • CarolV June 11, 2018 at 8:02 am - Reply

            Me, too! All their priorities must be similar as far as food, family life,etc. but so much more vital as far as survival. It would be an interesting journey.

    39. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:19 pm - Reply

      12:57- Time for my break…………..YAY!

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:21 pm - Reply

        Shake those tail feathers, George!

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:22 pm - Reply

          UP…………..

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:23 pm - Reply

            UP! and beautiful

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:24 pm

              and away………………………………..

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 1:25 pm

              WHOA! Down in front!

    40. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 12:52 pm - Reply

      Boat looks familiar……..HI!

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 12:53 pm - Reply

        Nice wake action……………….

    41. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:33 pm - Reply

      Jane flying to the perch.

    42. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:23 pm - Reply

      Oh!! I almost forgot!! Rjoneal asked me to pass on this information and the link: Dr. Rob Bierregaard to give a live chat about what to expect this season with the osprey family (Audubon Hog Island Nest) and answer questions live on the osprey cam this coming Monday, June 11th at 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

      And, she said to say “Hi!” to everyone!

      Link: http://news.explore.org/t/ViewEmail/r/957932AEC94BA88A2540EF23F30FEDED/CE895FE3939EDDE8942A2DF08F503B7C

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 3:17 pm - Reply

        Will try to catch that! Thanks, Betsy and Thanks and Hi! to Rjoneal…..

    43. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:10 pm - Reply

      Admin Shelli: Thank you and thank Aidan please.

    44. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:45 am - Reply

      There have been several shift changes this a.m. @10:09 amEDT- George checking out Jane on the perch…

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:46 am - Reply

        George stepping back…….

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:48 am - Reply

          At first I thought this was a royal wave from Lady Jane on the perch…………….. then I realized it’s the tip of George’s big, ole wing!

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:50 am - Reply

            Osprey fringe on our view………………….and some kitchy-koo feet

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:52 am

              ………………zzoooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………..

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 10:53 am

              Eye spy my eggies…………….Jane drops from perch

      • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:13 pm - Reply

        CarolV: Great captures!! (You know me and my love of wing shots!! 😀 )

    45. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:44 am - Reply

      BETSY: Sounds like a nightmare! mr. schmuck no doubt counted on your uncle having no one to come in after him. So you are an inconvenience! GOOD!!!!
      And if you find out the signature is indeed forged, what about the section he sold off? Sounds too complicated doing it on your own……… Good luck finding banking records to verify whether there was a payment and if your uncle benefitted. May need to go legal route to get an injunction to prevent them from disposing whatever evidence there is. Good thoughts going your way to get you thru this…………..

    46. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:21 am - Reply

      7:08- sun peeked thru briefly to let us know he’s up there!

      66 degs.now rising to about 70 early afternoon, then starting to drop. Partly to mostly cloudy……. there’s a front hanging south of us that may send a shower or two our way.

    47. CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:13 am - Reply

      Happy Sunday, everyone!

      Ospreyday starts 4:54 with Jane preparing to head out……….

      • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:23 am - Reply

        George is in……..

        • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:25 am - Reply

          5:06………. sun creeps in…………

          • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:26 am - Reply

            and a pretty glow…………………….

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:28 am

              And what we love to see………….well, sort of……… George delivers breakfish off on right side

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:30 am

              You’re killing me with the beakhold, Jane! Out she went to hopefully have breakfast…………

            • CarolV June 10, 2018 at 9:32 am

              And George settles in……….

          • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:15 pm - Reply

            CarolV: The colors were so beautiful this morning … I caught the same 5:06:51 pic of George! 😀

      • Isabella June 10, 2018 at 4:12 pm - Reply

        Happy Sunday CarolV… again great pics and captions!! Looks like Jane isn’t heeding your advice on the talon grip!

    48. Betsy June 10, 2018 at 8:38 am - Reply

      Jane (1st pic) and George this AM

    49. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 8:46 pm - Reply

      Just ONE quick peek and off, she said………………

      There’s another fish story. Good to see George keeping Jane well fed…….

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 8:48 pm - Reply

        Another good size fish!

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 8:50 pm - Reply

          Oh, Jane, Jane, Jane………… thought you would stick with the foothold once you learned it! Off with the beak-carry. Good luck.

    50. Betsy June 9, 2018 at 8:16 pm - Reply

      I found this screenshot of Jane exceptionally pretty!

    51. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 8:11 pm - Reply

      Bathed in gold…………..

    52. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:43 pm - Reply

      Jane reacted to a flyby………….

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:47 pm - Reply

        Doing a little nest keeping……………..
        she seems more engaged with working in the nest. Amazing how all the necessaries are falling in to place.

        Weather- 71 at nest now: clear to partly cloudy overnight. Temps dropping to maybe 59 before sunrise.

        Sweet dreams . everyone……………..

    53. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:07 pm - Reply

      Went to youtube to watch and found I can take pictures there. Don’t have as much control yet with rewind, etg. May take me a bit. I don’t know posting regs. but the following pics were taken from youtube live video.

      About 16:35…..Jane spot George at a distance…… He flies right…………

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:08 pm - Reply

        ………..and left……………..

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:10 pm - Reply

          George lands with a good sized piece of fish for Jane.

          • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:12 pm - Reply

            Couldn’t tell if beak or foot, but I think Jane had a beak-hold. Good luck. Maybe she’s gotten better with the beak carry. She’s improved with everything else!

            • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:14 pm

              And off she goes with her fillet o’fish………… George settled in.

            • Isabella June 10, 2018 at 3:13 am

              The way she gets her beak stuck in wood, she can probably hold on to the fish pretty good! Fillet o’fish, funny!
              ,

    54. Betsy June 9, 2018 at 12:26 pm - Reply

      Admin Shelli: Shelli, Shelli, Shelli!!! No matter what browser I try (Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or IE) when I open the OZ webpage, first off, the video stream box is really small (normally it spans across almost the entire width of the page). Then, when I try to play the video stream, I get this error message: “An error occurred. Please try again later. (Playback ID: 8fwv-IY96uDsLy39)”. I can play the video stream on YouTube, just not on the OZ website proper — so, I believe the problem is on the OZ website itself. Would you let Aidan know, please. Thank you.

      • Betsy June 9, 2018 at 12:27 pm - Reply

        Have to reinstall everything I uninstalled to see if it was a browser issue!! 😀

        • Admin Shelli June 9, 2018 at 2:28 pm - Reply

          In the meantime u can watch it full screen on YouTube

      • Admin Shelli June 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm - Reply

        Thanks Betsy, I’ll let Aiden know but I’m sure it won’t be fixed until Monday.

    55. Betsy June 9, 2018 at 9:46 am - Reply

      An intruder flew over the nest this morning.

    56. Meli June 9, 2018 at 8:00 am - Reply

      Shortly after 7:53 or 7:54 Am on Saturday , George broke a piece of wood from a stick in the nest and placed it on his back between the feathers. That was cute … never saw him do that before. I guess that’s part of the nest cleaning ceremony in osprey world? Cute.

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 2:43 pm - Reply

        Maybe home remedy for wing strain 🙊🙀😸hehe

      • Meli June 9, 2018 at 5:01 pm - Reply

        Ha ha. Funny 🙂

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 7:20 pm - Reply

          I do remember him doing things like this previous years. It’s like he gets bored and just tests things out to amuse himself.

    57. Betsy June 9, 2018 at 6:39 am - Reply

      Once again, Jane’s beak spiked through a crack in a piece of wood and she had a little trouble getting it off!!

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 6:08 pm - Reply

        Maybe she needs a “beakicure” lol

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 8:31 pm - Reply

          Good one!

        • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 12:55 am - Reply

          Isabella: Good one!!

          Oh, I see CarolV already said that!! Oh, well, it still stands!!

    58. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:36 am - Reply

      “Don’t you have to go to work????”

      YES! Don’t nag!…..Enjoy a beautiful day! 62 now, rising to mid 70s, partly sunny

    59. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:22 am - Reply

      Jane ogg for the morning break……………..

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:23 am - Reply

        that would be oFF

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:24 am - Reply

          George coming in……..checked to be sure I used G not F

    60. CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:10 am - Reply

      Jane was making the bed this morning………

    61. Isabella June 9, 2018 at 3:17 am - Reply

      How adorable is this!

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 10:51 am - Reply

        OMG! My first pic posted! Still don’t know how you all post ur pics.this was a pic someone posted on hog island. I did save image. Then posted it here.. these are the hog island chicks with the little one facing the wrong way. Too cute!

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 2:45 pm - Reply

          They are adorable! Little bobble heads

        • Betsy June 9, 2018 at 5:37 pm - Reply

          Isabella: Congratulations on your 1st pic posting!!! 😀 These little guys are so adorable!!

          P.S. You saved the picture from another website and then you posted it here!! That’s a good first step!! So, to TAKE your own pictures, there are several different ways. I have Windows 10, so I just press the Windows button and then “prt sc” (print screen) and the picture gets saved in my “Screenshots” folder. I’m posting a link that gives directions on alternative ways to take screenshots: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/7-ways-to-take-screenshots-in-windows-10/

          • Isabella June 10, 2018 at 3:59 pm - Reply

            Thx Betsy! I will probably need a tutor!

    62. Betsy June 9, 2018 at 1:17 am - Reply

      I guess there was an ultimate reason why I could not enter my late uncle’s residence on Thursday!! I was trying to find any information that I can on the internet when I found a site for the Rockland County Clerk’s Office. I was looking through a document for the supposed reverse mortgage and the signature does not appear to be my uncle’s at all. Now, when I can get back in, I can retrieve all those stupid checks from forever that I tossed for proof of his signature!!

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 10:43 am - Reply

        Good luck Betsy. Hope your next trip up is better!

        • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 2:47 pm - Reply

          Good luck, Betsy! Before mr schmuck starts throwing things away! Did you check with a lawyer or legal aid?

          • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 1:40 am - Reply

            CarolV: Legal Aid told me they don’t handle cases like this!! Still hoping to work it out amicably vs. litigation. I decided to take matters into my own hand now at working things out, so I wrote an email to the contractor’s attorney. I think it sounded really good, if I do say so myself! This, plus the emails of the attorney up in Rockland County who had been communicating on my family’s behalf with the contractor’s attorney and, then, either bailed on us or was somehow incapacitated, leaves a paper trail of, as I worded it in the letter, our good faith effort to clear out the house as quickly as possible. She obviously knew the amount of stuff contained in the house because she complained to our attorney in one email to him “They have to take their stuff….otherwise I have to pay for it by the ton at the transfer station. Is that fair?” There was a tremendous amount of things in the house, but I went to the rates page of Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority’s website … the price for Garbage / Construction Debris is $76.00 per ton. She made it sound in her complaint as if it was super exorbitant!! Let me put it this way: The best I could find out was the contractor bought my uncle’s property for $350,000. It was originally 1.85 acres. The contractor apparently split the property, built a house on the one half and sold it for, the best that I could tell, $500,000. I’m sure he could suck up the transfer station price!!

            It’s a real mess I tell ya!!

    63. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:55 pm - Reply

      Admin Shelli: Hey, Shelli! Would you ask Aidan if he knows why this occasionally happens: The view jumps from a lower angle (with more sky visible) to a higher angle (with less sky visible). It’s no big deal, although I’ve grown used to and really like when there’s more sky!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:56 pm - Reply

        I should have reversed the pictures!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:59 pm - Reply

        Now that I’m reading my comment, let me start over!! The view jumps from a higher angle (with more sky visible – bottom pic) to a lower angle (with less sky visible – top pic). It’s no big deal, although I’ve grown used to and really like when there’s more sky!

      • Admin Shelli June 9, 2018 at 9:16 am - Reply

        Yes, I sure will

    64. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 10:46 pm - Reply

      As far as I could tell, George was still on the eggs as of this post. The picture is from 21:14:35 when there was still enough light to get a decent screenshot.

    65. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:48 pm - Reply

      Has that plastic been in the nest and surfaced? Or did someone see it come in?

      Jane doesn’t seem thrilled with it.

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:49 pm - Reply

        Maybe fluffing the grasses will help……..

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:50 pm - Reply

          Nope……….it’s the plastic……….

          • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:51 pm - Reply

            Tries throwing it aside………..

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:54 pm

              Between flapping wings and the breeze, plastic rolls away from the nest bowl…….

            • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:56 pm

              SOOO much better!

            • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 9:43 pm

              While Jane was on her cleaning bender, a little papa sparrow popped up with feathers in its beak!! So cute!!

            • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 11:04 pm

              CarolV: Great screen capture (your 5th pic down)!!

            • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 9:54 am

              Betsy: I saw that guy but didn’t have time to go back. Glad you got it!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 7:57 pm - Reply

        CarolV: George brought it!

    66. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 6:35 pm - Reply

      I was looking at the picture I posted earlier today (June 8, 2018 at 2:06 pm) and noticing that the way the wood was jutting up behind George’s head made it look like he was wearing a little crown! I opened my own saved picture in the Windows 10 photos app to circle it and post it again when I noticed they have something new in the app under edit & create — “Add 3-D Effects” So, now, here it is, shooting out magical light!! 😀

      https://youtu.be/Wc822EvupX8

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:59 pm - Reply

        That branch has become an additional character in this nest! It’s so funny how many times the birds are positioned so that it alternatively looks like a crown, a bow, a bug……..

        Now we have a diamond glistening on his head!

    67. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 5:27 pm - Reply

      Look at George’s wonky feathers!!

    68. Miker June 8, 2018 at 4:21 pm - Reply

      If the eggs do hatch i suggest we name the chicks judy and Elroy and if all 3 hatch someone has to be astro or we could go more non gender specific and name one spacely and one cogswell if all 3 hatch someone has to be rosie

    69. Michael G. Martin June 8, 2018 at 3:20 pm - Reply

      Hi Group
      I’ve been away for about a week and have noticed that there has been quite a bit going on about the Nest
      If it’s not to much can someone or somebody catch me up to speed on what’s going one especially with the new name of Jane and lastly am I right in assuming that Gracie is back to claim George and the Nest
      This story is playing out better than any Soap Opera on TV. So if anyone can fill me in it would be greatly appreciated

      Thanks All
      Mike

      • Isabella June 9, 2018 at 6:24 pm - Reply

        I will give it a go. Yes that was Gracie. George and Jane kicked her to the “curb”. Sadly she got wounded. Was good to see her alive. Sad to see her go. Only one female can be on the nest. Was very dramatic for awhile. At one point seemed like Gracie landed right on the eggs. Hope they’re alright. Tommy and Christina chose the name Jane.

        • Isabella June 10, 2018 at 3:03 am - Reply

          Michael G.

        • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 11:11 pm - Reply

          Isabella: You crack me up!! Do you talk fast, too?? 😀 😀 😀

          • Isabella June 11, 2018 at 10:12 am - Reply

            Betsy.. lol. No, but I do like to make long story short!

            • Betsy June 11, 2018 at 11:49 am

              Isabella: Probably something I should learn to do!! 😀 😀 😀

      • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:27 pm - Reply

        MIKE: Synopsis of “As the Nest Turns” Since the camera was late coming on, by the time Aidan marvelously got it going, we have no idea what happened. George was present with a new female and no eggs in the nest. The next day, the first egg was laid. The unnamed female (at that time) had no idea what she was doing and the egg often went hours, even overnight, uncovered. George started taking turns on the nest, seemingly showing her what to do. He even spent nights on the nest; female started dropping in sometime during the night, In due course, eggs 2 and 3 were laid. The female seems to be up to speed on egg and nest care, learning quickly. Someone will no doubt supply lay dates on the eggs.
        There were numerous intruder attacks, escalating in severity and culminating in a battle. Gracie was identified by Betsy and Rjoneal and a couple of others. There are pictures if you wish to go back. It appeared Gracie was injured. Attacks have slowed down, tho there are still flybys, as per usual every year.
        The new female had multiple names, with a naming contest to come and various names put forward. It was suggested that Tommy and Christina be given the honor and they indicated they liked the name Jane.
        Think that’s the Readers’ Digest version. The questions are many : Will the eggs hatch? Will Jane be able to figure out her role with chicks? Will the chicks survive hatching during a hotter month? Would they mature in time to migrate or would George hang around later to give them a chance? ……….. Stay tuned………..dumm…dum…dum…dummmmmmmmmm…

        And good to have you back!

        • Betsy June 10, 2018 at 11:30 pm - Reply

          CarolV: And, you crack me up!!

    70. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 3:08 pm - Reply

      Trying to get cool (Jane).

    71. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 2:50 pm - Reply

      Clear skies and 76 degs. Jane panting a little in the sunshine.

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 2:55 pm - Reply

        A quick flyby brought Jane up on her feet. Sounded like George came to perch, backing her up with his calls.

        • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 2:56 pm - Reply

          Jane flew out and George dropped in for a sit…….

    72. Betsy June 8, 2018 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      Okay, so check this out!! The last Jane and George switched egg sitting was when George brought a clump of seaweed to the nest at 11:35:50 and then he sat on the eggs. Jane had been begging and begging for a fish in vain. George stayed on the eggs, never moving except to change his position. At about 12:33:30 George started alarming and Jane flew back to the nest to assess the situation … with a FRESH, partially eaten fish!! She must have said, The hell with you George! I’m hungry and thirsty! I’m not waiting for you to bring me a fish! A woman has to do what a woman has to do! 😀

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 2:15 pm - Reply

        Okay, folks, yes, these are not feathered humans … but it would have looked funny if I wrote “A female osprey has to do what a female osprey has to do!” (And, don’t even think “Well, that’s ridiculous in itself because she never even would have said any words.”) 😀 😀 😀

      • June c June 8, 2018 at 3:54 pm - Reply

        A very independent young lady….

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 7:29 pm - Reply

        I love the way George is looking at that fish….”HHuuunnhh” And yes, I pretend the osprey talk, too…… Crazy old ladies together, Betsy! But I know we are NOT alone!

        • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 9:19 pm - Reply

          CarolV: Ya just gotta, sometimes!!

    73. Isobel June 8, 2018 at 1:17 pm - Reply

      Jane is a lovely name for George’s new lady. Suits her well.

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 2:53 pm - Reply

        Lady Jane…..my Mom used to call us that if we were a bit too full of ourselves {;^))

    74. Dawn June 8, 2018 at 12:46 pm - Reply

      Is it just me or am I the only one with how happy the nest looks this season? It’s so natural – seaweed, sticks, leaves. It’s starting to rival the nest at Hog Island! So happy there isn’t a lot of man-made garbage this year. Very refreshing! Enjoy the weekend, OZ family!

      • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 2:19 pm - Reply

        Dawn: Well, George did bring in one strip of plastic last evening. Y’know, just to keep tradition alive I guess! 😀

    75. CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:43 am - Reply

      A little earlier, Jane was exercising frustrations on that plastic strap.

      • CarolV June 8, 2018 at 11:45 am - Reply

        “Take THAT, nasty pests! $#*&^() intruders!

        • June c June 8, 2018 at 3:47 pm - Reply

          What is really funny Jane brought it to the nest…..

          • Betsy June 8, 2018 at 9:20 pm - Reply

            June c: George brought it! Had to keep some traditions alive!! 😀

          • CarolV June 9, 2018 at 6:31 am - Reply

            Check back to June 7 @ 8:46pm post….. it was funny watching George bring in his prize

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