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Bald Eagles Visit Nest

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First Sighting

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Eggs Over Easy

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Intruder

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OspreyZone Highlights: George Returns

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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

    52,585 Comments

    1. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:32 pm - Reply

      Has anyone noticed Gracie has been staring at her foot? Maybe something stuck on a toe?

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:36 pm - Reply

        About 4:30….She’s done that a lot today.

    2. Isobel Mackenziei August 8, 2015 at 4:31 pm - Reply

      I too would like to join OA . Do’nt know what I will do without my fix each day and dread the last time we see the family. I see I’m not the only person watching from England. My thanks to Tommy and Paul for sharing this with us and all your hard work. What a journey it has been and a privilige to watch. XX Roll on spring!!

    3. Pudgy August 8, 2015 at 4:28 pm - Reply

      And than their was none… empty nest… makes me so sad….

    4. Jo-Ann August 8, 2015 at 4:23 pm - Reply

      chick #2 stayed lone in the nest from when Gracie left about 2:15 seemed content and got restless about 15 min ago. Dis some wing flapping and chirping then took off at 4:10, saw it fly around a little then went up to perch=I can see the shadow in the nest. just looked it’s 4:16 back in nest and is chirping loudly, I think it is tired of being alone and may be hungry. Chick #1 has been gone a long time. Hope she is having a great time. It is a glorious day here today and she must be enjoying herself. It’s 4:19 and Gracie has returned. No chick #1 yet. Usually shows up as soon as food is delivered.

      • Jessica August 8, 2015 at 6:37 pm - Reply

        I rewound to see this and it was great! Thank you!

    5. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:15 pm - Reply

      4:13pmEDT chick #2 tired of sitting home…Jumps and flies like a crazy person! I think Mom was keeping him company cause she’s yelling from the perch.

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:20 pm - Reply

        My time slightly off Try 4:10. Came right back. May be other chick squawking on perch. I see Mom on nest now.

    6. Eleanor August 8, 2015 at 4:10 pm - Reply

      Hi,
      I live here right in Greenport, but I’m originally from a small town on the Mississippi/Louisiana border and grew up on a lake. We have had ospreys come to our lake for the past several years, that I know of. They usually show up late October.

    7. cheryl August 8, 2015 at 2:49 pm - Reply

      This has been such a learning, loving experience, that I’ve followed most of the summer. It will stick with me for a long time. Thank you Paul. And thank you followers who aided in the learning process.

      • KarenH August 8, 2015 at 7:46 pm - Reply

        I so agree. I love it. It will stick with me too. People I think are sick of me talking about it. It is great and I too thank everyone!!!!!!!!!

    8. Rjoneal August 8, 2015 at 2:40 pm - Reply

      Paul I hope you make highlights of our baby fledging from the nest Paul I know there was talk that you may be making a documentary if you do do this will you notify all your Osprey viewers ???? I know I sure would like to be notified. Also Paul is there a way that you can keep all of your viewers and notify us next year when Gracie and George first appear again for those of us who don’t live in your state ??

    9. Jo-Ann August 8, 2015 at 2:21 pm - Reply

      Gracie finally got to eat by herself after George delivered part of a fish at about 1:30 maybe. Chick 2 had already left she ate alone and flew off leaving chick2 by himself. But it has been sitting at the edge of the nest seeming quite content not as upset as it seemed to be yesterday or this morning. Hopefully he is getting used to being alone since I read today that they do not travel south together. It’s every bird for itself. I thought “south” meant South America but comment said the Caribbean and Straits of Florida so do they go only that far south for winter? I know they don’t breed there but do the build nests to live in?

      • Karen August 8, 2015 at 3:56 pm - Reply

        Generally ospreys from this area go all the way to South America but some do stop short of there. I’ve seen Cuba mentioned and I’m sure there are lots of other places.
        No, they don’t build nests there – they just roost in trees and fish wherever they want.

    10. dianne August 8, 2015 at 2:08 pm - Reply

      Now, we all know what it means to be “Empty-Nesters.”

      • Trinity August 8, 2015 at 10:31 pm - Reply

        So true so true ?

    11. Gamma August 8, 2015 at 2:00 pm - Reply

      I notice that there have been no new posts since 7:22 AMb East Coast time. It is now 2:00 PM. Is the site having problems ? I noticed this happened the other day also.

      • JeanneD August 8, 2015 at 4:47 pm - Reply

        Are you using an IPad? I have noticed hat there is sometimes–well most of the time–a substantial delay in postings when I am using my Pad. Since the Pad and my desktop (windows) are in the same house at the time, I suspect that this is an IPad problem and not a problem with the site.

        • ospreyzone August 9, 2015 at 7:59 am - Reply

          It’s probably me! Can’t live in front of a computer. This morning I’ve marked 20 or 30 spam’s already. We have to look for a better spam filter!

          Paul

          • Gamma August 9, 2015 at 9:55 am - Reply

            Thanks Paul. You sure don’t get much else done when sitting in front of a computer do you ! I am on the west coast so I’m already behind each day .

    12. Ja August 8, 2015 at 1:47 pm - Reply

      They are officially grown up and i am officially sad …. I miss them already

    13. Berylann August 8, 2015 at 1:19 pm - Reply

      Thank you Tommy for showing me this nest of yours. I don’t know how you cope with the noise, I just lower the sound, lol ! I found it late but I enjoy it all day, the whole place is beautiful :o) I come from Devon, England, UK and wish I had you weather. ♥♥♥

    14. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 1:04 pm - Reply

      12:59pmEDT George brings partial fish. One chick AWOL Will he miss lunch?

      • Rich August 8, 2015 at 1:53 pm - Reply

        OK – I’m confused. The way I’ve seen it from the start is that the bigger chick is Chick #1 and most likely female. Chick #2, the smaller chick, and the one who always had to wait his turn to be fed, was the first one to fly, and is most likely male. Those who have been watching from the start, please check me on this.

    15. Elane August 8, 2015 at 1:02 pm - Reply

      When Gracie hollars, George brings the fish! I guess she is wondering where the 2nd chick is.

    16. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 12:52 pm - Reply

      I sometimes wonder if Paul, Tommy & Co. had any idea what they were getting in to when they started this project! How time consuming monitoring, editing and arranging rescues would be! We’ve said it before and I just want to underscore how grateful we all are for the time you all put in to this site.
      THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      We have all learned so much, been entertained and hopefully will remember how we are affecting the world around us.

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 12:59 pm - Reply

        And will there be meetings for OA?

        • June c August 9, 2015 at 7:09 am - Reply

          I think in Sept. When family leaves to go south we should all meet…if so just call the place and time I for one would be there to meet my OA group..

      • ospreyzone August 8, 2015 at 1:42 pm - Reply

        I for one, didn’t have a clue, but no regrets. It’s been mostly a pleasure!

        • Al Hurst August 8, 2015 at 2:20 pm - Reply

          You guys are the best. Only good things can happen to you both
          Thanks

        • June c August 9, 2015 at 7:00 am - Reply

          This has been the best..I have been watching since June…even viewing the sad and the wonderful it’s been a great experience.. Thank You for giving many people a better knowledge of these wonderful birds

    17. Jessica August 8, 2015 at 12:09 pm - Reply

      It’s amazing how much better take-offs and landings are in just one day!

    18. Elaine August 8, 2015 at 11:53 am - Reply

      Both chicks are now in the nest. I can’t keep up with all of the happenings. I am glad they are ok.

    19. Elaine August 8, 2015 at 11:51 am - Reply

      One of the chicks is in the nest, and the other chick must be very near, because I hear him chirping. I hope he is not in distress somewhere.

    20. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 11:41 am - Reply

      If you haven’t been to his site, Rob Bierregaard. who has kindly posted several comments here, has a study on osprey movement at OSPREYTRAX.COM. I haven’t read everything but so far extremely interesting to see how far these birds go and how varied their journeys.

      • JeanneD August 8, 2015 at 12:49 pm - Reply

        August 8, 2015 at 12:50 EDT

        Thanks, Carol.

        I have been on that site, and thought it was great. I saved it, but I forgot about it.

    21. Sandy August 8, 2015 at 11:32 am - Reply

      PATIENCE is a great name for chick 2.
      I saw someone mention that earlier.

      So exciting to see them learn and develop their instincts…..best of all to have this ability. Thank you again.

    22. Sandy August 8, 2015 at 11:27 am - Reply

      I’ve been trying to distinguish both chicks too. I’ve been concentrating on the size of their talons. Does anyone feel that chick 1 has bigger talons than chick 2? I feel chick 2 is female and her talons somewhat look narrower and not as thick as 1’s. Comments?

      • suzanne August 8, 2015 at 11:52 am - Reply

        I have always thought that Chick #1 was a male and Chick #2 a female too. I always thought #3 was a male. Not sure why i feel that way. lol.

      • Dolce Niente August 8, 2015 at 3:07 pm - Reply

        Sandy, you have it backwards. In most raptors, the female is the one with the thicker tarsi (ankles) and bigger feet. In addition, she’s generally larger, and tends to have more speckles (bib) on her chest.

    23. sue kue August 8, 2015 at 11:24 am - Reply

      Well now that the two chicks are out and about I wonder if they will fly off this afternoon together and check out the neighbor……………………………………………..Go to see them both out of nest and about…….

    24. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 11:16 am - Reply

      11:05amEDT George brings in a fish. Glad to see it! This will keep them in place for a bit. I was getting dizzy with all the comings and goings! I need a scorecard to figure out who’s on first! Think I’ll just enjoy the action !

    25. GinaM August 8, 2015 at 11:14 am - Reply

      The windshield wiper is back! All is well in George’s world! 🙂

      • Tucker August 8, 2015 at 11:54 am - Reply

        I think that is telephone wire -flat, cable wire – round. I have seen both hanging and swaying from utility poles and pieces left on the ground. Some workers aka: slobs, leave the spoils.

    26. Elaine August 8, 2015 at 11:05 am - Reply

      Good morning everyone. It looks like chick #2 gets very upset and steady chirps when chick #1 flys off.

    27. Jeanne August 8, 2015 at 10:54 am - Reply

      At 10:31am this morning (saturday) I was thrilled to watch the babies taking turns leaving the nest and flying around. How long will they stay around the nest before the officially dont come back? ?

      • Lyn August 8, 2015 at 11:35 am - Reply

        I found a LOT of info at this website: http://www.jamaicabayosprey.org/faq-about ospreys . The FAQS and answers are as follows and will really make reality slap us in the face.

        Do Osprey pairs migrate and winter together?
        Ospreys mate for life, as far as we know, but part ways each year for the fall migration. They migrate as individuals, not in groups or flocks. Usually, females leave the nesting area first, followed by the males. Mates do not see each other again until they return to their nest in spring. It would be a very rare coincidence if a pair ended up in the same wintering place.
        Do the young migrate and winter together with parents or each other?
        The young are left behind when parents migrate. A few days to several weeks later, the young take off, too. Each one finds its own route south and winters in a different place, just as the adults do.
        When do the young migrate back north? Do they return to the place of their birth nest?
        The young remain in the vicinity of the winter home and generally do not migrate north their first spring. Rather, they remain near their wintering area for another year until they are almost two years old. If young survive to the spring of their second year, they head north, but they do not necessarily return to the place of their birth nest. In fact, they may return to anywhere within a hundred miles of it. Chances are they will never see their parents, or each other, again.
        How do Ospreys know when to start their migrations?
        This question is hard to answer. Many birds respond to changing day length that at some point triggers migratory preparation, such as adding body fat to fuel the long trip. Then, environmental conditions such as wind direction and speed, atmospheric pressure, temperature or some unknown input or combination click in the bird’s brain, turning it from a lethargic resident into a migrating machine. Quite literally, a bird will be perched resting one moment and the next will be off like a shot out of a canon. The perplexing thing about the influence of day length on birds that winter in the tropics is that the length of daylight does not change much in that region. So there are likely many factors detected by the birds that prepare them for migration and then send them off at almost the same time each year.
        Do Ospreys follow the same route north that they took south?
        The return migration is almost always the mirror image of the fall migration. A bird that we have tracked on Nantucket, Señor Bones, migrated south in the fall and north in the spring in 2011 and in 2012 along almost exactly the same path. Minor variations occurred when he was flying over the Caribbean and over the Straits of Florida between Cuba and Florida; these variations were caused by drift with the prevailing winds at the time of the different flights.
        How do Ospreys know where to go — that is, how do they navigate to find their way back to their nests in the spring?
        Ospreys use many methods to navigate. Since they do not migrate as a group, but as individuals, they cannot learn from each other. Some studies have shown that birds migrate using celestial cues, such as star patterns, or the position of the sun through the day and at the time of year. Others have shown that the earth’s magnetic forces aid them in migration. Some learning goes on through trial and error. Once a bird navigates successfully, it almost appears as if it has its own GPS navigational system to guide it next time around. The long and short of it is that we do not know for sure how they do it, but we do know that whatever methods they use, they can travel with remarkable accuracy from place to place.
        Do Ospreys eat during their migrations or do they rely on fat stores to fuel them?
        Ospreys fish along the way to keep up their strength. It appears that most fishing takes place early in the morning before they start the day’s flight, or during rest stops lasting a day or so along the way. This varies depending upon the distance traveled, the success of earlier fishing attempts, etc. Ospreys do not appear to fish when they travel out across large bodies of water such as the Straits of Florida or the Caribbean Sea.
        What are the greatest dangers to Ospreys during migration?
        One major danger is weather, especially when crossing large bodies of water. For instance, Ospreys crossing the Caribbean or the Straits of Florida can be blown off course if they fly into a strong headwind or get caught in a severe thunderstorm. Anything that slows their flight and increases the time it takes them to make the crossing could drain strength or fat reserves (their fuel) and put them at risk. Worst case, they may have to ditch into the water, or if they do make it to land somewhere, they may be too exhausted to fish to regain their strength. Another major danger is being shot by humans. This could happen anywhere. However, birds migrating in this part of the world are particularly vulnerable when they fish in private and commercial fish farms/ponds in the Dominican Republic, Haiti or Cuba. Many of the farms are owned by local people living at or near subsistence level, who do not take kindly to anyone or anything that “steals” their fish.
        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.

        • ospreyzone August 8, 2015 at 11:43 am - Reply

          Great info, thanks

        • sue kue August 8, 2015 at 11:53 am - Reply

          Lyn, How kind of you to post such great info for us……………………………………very interesting facts.

        • Monica August 8, 2015 at 7:16 pm - Reply

          Lyn, thanks much for posting these fascinating facts. I translated and read them to my Mom who has now become very much interested in the ospreys. Oh, at least I keep updating her on ‘our’ ospreys. lol 🙂

        • Bonnie August 9, 2015 at 6:38 am - Reply

          HI LYN, Thank you so very much for answering a lot of my questions. Guess I’m gonna be a raptor watcher in my retirement, LOL Also many thank’s for the link .

    28. Kathryn k August 8, 2015 at 10:51 am - Reply

      Chick two back in the nest after a hour and half.

    29. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 10:47 am - Reply

      First trip around nest quickly followed by another short one. #1 comes in to congratulate #2 and discuss experience

    30. Deborah August 8, 2015 at 10:43 am - Reply

      It is so great! Both chicks are flying! George & Gracie must be so proud.

    31. gamma August 8, 2015 at 10:39 am - Reply

      According to the website the chicks were to have been named on the first date of flight. Have they been named ? Paul seems to be MIA in posting the last few days. Busy man :)))

    32. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 10:38 am - Reply

      just after 10:30amEDT Chick 2 just went!…No fanfare, just went. Gracie watched as he flew a small circle around the nest

    33. Bonnie August 8, 2015 at 10:35 am - Reply

      Can someone tell me once the babies have flown north what dangers do they incur? Are there bigger birds that would do them harm? How long does dad stay with them? Do we have to wait 3 yrs. before we see them again when they chose their partners?

      Or can someone direct me to full information/explanations or do I have to go to library? :^(

      And when does Ospreyzone open again? May or June?

      I have truly enjoyed watching and learning so far and again ” MANY THANK’S FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE OF THESE MAGNIFICENT RAPTOR’S TO —> ALL<— INVOLVED .

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 12:10 pm - Reply

        Lyn posted a some really great info which you have probably seen. I know that the other two nests I watch have returns in March. One usually has first bird around 22-25th. The other nest usually shows activity slightly later sometimes as late as Apri 1-3. Male and female come back separately.

      • Karen August 8, 2015 at 5:36 pm - Reply

        This site has some interesting and different osprey facts. http://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/2013/06/seven-things-you-never-knew-about-ospreys
        Bald eagles are a daytime threat to adult osprey as well as the chicks. Great Horned Owls are a danger to the chicks at night and could kill an adult osprey. Cars and electric lines are probably even greater dangers to the adults.
        The dad will stay for as long as he can to help them fish but at some point he will have to leave even if they haven’t taken off themselves.
        And, yes, it will be 2 or 3 years before they return but there will be no way to identify them when they do.

    34. Kathryn k August 8, 2015 at 10:34 am - Reply

      Chick two is back in the nest after a hour and a hard.

    35. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 10:32 am - Reply

      It’s fun to see how Mom keeps track of #1. When she calls for him, you can usually hear an answer form the distance. He flew in about 10:11am and you could follow his progress by watching Mom and sib watching his arrival to the perch. They must be able to recognize him in flight now as the “alarm” aspect has gone.

    36. Jan August 8, 2015 at 10:01 am - Reply

      Hi All…Does anyone know if the 2nd baby has left the nest at all yet? Not sure if I missed it or not?

    37. Kathryn k August 8, 2015 at 9:13 am - Reply

      8:59 chick number 2 fledged to the perch and chase chick number 1 off

    38. Marlene August 8, 2015 at 9:04 am - Reply

      I turned on my computer a few minutes ago, just in time to see (what I believe) is chick #2 fledge! Don’t know if he did it earlier, but at approximately 9:00 a.m. he was airborne! Yippee for him!!

    39. Jo-Ann August 8, 2015 at 9:01 am - Reply

      It is 8:50 and Gracie is doing some nest remodeling. Chick #2 is watching. I noticed that Gracie does not have those white V marking on her feathers. That is how I know it is her. Do those V markings disappear as they get older? I would like to go see the nest hopefully before Gracie leaves. Could someone tell me where I can go to view the nest?

    40. GinaM August 8, 2015 at 9:00 am - Reply

      Chick #2 is now airborne and flying.

    41. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 8:57 am - Reply

      Mom brought in a new stick. Lots of housekeeping going on. Jr,1 flying in and out so casually now. Just like a teenager…once you’ve got transportation, always on the go! It does seem like he’s encouraging #2 to join him.

    42. Trinity August 8, 2015 at 8:47 am - Reply

      Breakfast buffet around 8:45am EST, chow down …

    43. Jo-Ann August 8, 2015 at 8:44 am - Reply

      I was watching the last feeding about 7 and noticed that Gracie was feeding Chick #2 after chick 1 got his fill and that when chick 1 flew off the other stopped eating and stated screaming as thought he doesn’t want his brother to leave him even thought Gracie was there and was feeding him, He was obviously very upset yesterday when he was alone. Yet Gracie was with him.and he was just as upset when brother left this morning. He stopped eating even thought Grace was trying to feed him he was ignoring her with food in her mouth for him and he just screamed and screamed. So sad.Once the leave they probably never see each other again but right now chick #2 is missing brother. Speaking of leaving I read that Gracie will be leaving once the chicks have fledged and George stays with them till they also leave. So we may be losing our Gracie soon. I better stock up on tissues. The next month will be heart breaking and wonderful.

    44. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 8:27 am - Reply

      8:26amEDT George provides again. 1/2 fish for the happy crew

    45. Trinity August 8, 2015 at 8:23 am - Reply

      The sun is shining over the water, chicks are looking more beautiful with each passing day and we’re all eagerly awaiting the contest winners for names !!

    46. June c August 8, 2015 at 8:17 am - Reply

      Back at 8:16. Really short flight

    47. June c August 8, 2015 at 8:15 am - Reply

      Around 8:12 take off..

    48. sallyanne August 8, 2015 at 8:05 am - Reply

      Looks like 1st chick is giving flying lessons and encouragement to 2nd chick. Ist is flying out of nest, then to camera perch? also calling to 2nd chick; then 1st returns to nest.
      In the meantime, 2nd chick does NOT look that interested in following its sibling!!

      Maybe later????

    49. Deborah August 8, 2015 at 7:22 am - Reply

      After the first check left the nest the sibling left got so upset it stopped eating. For a while Gracie kept trying to feeed it but it ignored her. How long will they remain until they head to their wintering grounds?

    50. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 7:19 am - Reply

      Chick#1 took off and did fly around to perch. Chick2 gets so vocal!

    51. Doris August 8, 2015 at 6:51 am - Reply

      Breakfast is served. George brought in a nice fish. He must have heard the cries from Gracie and babies. Eat up guys. Hope I get to see them fly again today.

    52. Rjoneal August 8, 2015 at 6:44 am - Reply

      Saturday 6:30 AM Gracie jumps off the perch into the nest and sounds the alarm of an intruder babies hunkered down in the nest then Gracie goes off incomes George around 6:38 AM with the fish looks like intruder is nearby babies still laying flat in the nest as mom is protecting their breakfast.

    53. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 6:41 am - Reply

      6:38amEDT Mom pops back in, followed by Dad with a nice big whole fish. The day is off to a good start!

    54. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 6:39 am - Reply

      Mom dropped by about 6:20 for a chat and is gone again. Busy morning.

    55. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 6:32 am - Reply

      About 5:50amEDT Chick one did a nice fly around and came in within minutes.
      Just after 6 George George came in 3 times with clumps of seaweed. Was using scroll back and had to rewind to be sure .
      Chick 1 flew out again just after that

    56. sue kue August 8, 2015 at 6:30 am - Reply

      CarolV, Rjoneal, You are both correct chick number one fledged.yesterday. Today at about 5:30ish am I was able to get a good look at them side by side and then soon after chick one flew off, out across the water and back………………………………………………………………………..These two look so much alike…………………………….

    57. Vickie August 8, 2015 at 6:11 am - Reply

      Good morning all! Looks like another beautiful morning and I am looking forward to what today will hold for our Osprey family. It’s about 6am est and George arrives empty handed to the nest. Gracie on the perch fussing and the chicks int he nest crying – forces him to leave in search of breakfast. Lo and behold he comes back two more times bearing seaweed! Gracie and the chicks give him an earful. What kind of breakfast is this?!?!?! Pretty comical.

    58. Rjoneal August 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm - Reply

      Trinity glad to know your watching my family thinks I’m going absolutely crazy. I have two grown children in college not living at home but every time they come and visit they see and hear all the stories about my Osprey family of course my husband says he can’t wait to go to work every day just so he can stop hearing those birds make all that noise. He says if it isnt on in the house when he goes out in our backyard he can hear the ospreys in our backyard over the lake. I just recently retired and I told him at least i’m not doing as much shopping now until my Osprey family leaves the nest for the year.

      • Trinity August 7, 2015 at 11:43 pm - Reply

        Observing nature is a wonderful way to spend your free time ! I’m also guilty of gushing to everyone about this nest, my sister couldn’t handle the little Pip bullying time frame and told me to shoosh with the not so pleasant details. All of us viewers are going to be finding alternative nature cams to keep us occupied through winter ?

    59. Leanne August 7, 2015 at 8:31 pm - Reply

      What a wonderfully exciting day at the nest. I can’t put into words how much I enjoy this site on a daily basis. It has brought so much joy to me and my 2 grandchildren. Thank you to Paul, Tommy and crew for doing this for all of us. I don’t think you’ll ever know just how many people you have touched by sharing these wonderful birds with us. I look forward to visiting again tomorrow for yet another day in the lives of the Osprey 4. Good night everyone 🙂

    60. Beverly August 7, 2015 at 8:25 pm - Reply

      I had the biggest smile on my face today watching theses babies learn to fly just like when my kids learned to walk. 🙂

    61. Elaine August 7, 2015 at 8:19 pm - Reply

      One chick looks like he is laying almost on top of the other chick facing opposite direction. How funny! I think they are both tired after their advanture today.

    62. makenna August 7, 2015 at 7:59 pm - Reply

      Are they doing the name picking today!!!

      • Lyn August 7, 2015 at 8:08 pm - Reply

        PAUL- NONE of my posts lately are going through. Do you know what the problem is? I’m using Google Chrome as the browser.

    63. June c August 7, 2015 at 7:22 pm - Reply

      It’s OK. He/she had it at weird angle..

    64. June c August 7, 2015 at 7:20 pm - Reply

      Babies wing does not look right..anything happen

    65. CarolV August 7, 2015 at 7:18 pm - Reply

      Partial fish 7:17pmEDT Way to go George!

      • CarolV August 7, 2015 at 7:22 pm - Reply

        Did he take it with him? Gracie looks as confused as I am!

      • CarolV August 7, 2015 at 7:34 pm - Reply

        I rewound a couple of times and there was a chunk of fish in his claw. Is it possible as he left it fell over the side? Gracie looked over and down a couple of times. All the action was in bottom right corner and hard to see.

    66. Cindy August 7, 2015 at 7:10 pm - Reply

      So, has both chicks fledged?

    67. CarolV August 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm - Reply

      GinaM…@ about 6:57pmEDT One chick is flapping so hard it almost sounds like the “whoosh, whoosh” those Osprey choppers make!

    68. Gamma August 7, 2015 at 6:48 pm - Reply

      3:47 PDT Just popping in for a quick look. Has anyone seen the chick actually fly out from the camera ? All I have seen in scrolling back is the wind carrying the chick up and possibly to the top of the camera. I have seen some pretty big and very floppy fish brought in. Did the storm bring the fish closer !!

      • JP August 8, 2015 at 1:01 am - Reply

        Yes, Gamma, mid afternoon, then late afternoon both flew up and out of camera range. One wound up on top of the camera while the other one screamed on the nest. The second one got some guts and did some very high helicopters. Not as bold yet as the first chick. Lucky for the 4 hour rewind capability and alerts from others who saw it realtime, or I would have missed it.

    69. Leanne August 7, 2015 at 6:21 pm - Reply

      I truthfully don’t think, especially with all the fish today, that the chick needed to eat almost that whole fish. Shared very little.

    70. GinaM August 7, 2015 at 5:50 pm - Reply

      The 5:30 PM Striped bass George just brought back almost flopped out of the nest he was still so alive! And he was HUGE.

      • GinaM August 7, 2015 at 5:54 pm - Reply

        All that flying today… boy are they going to sleep well tonight

    71. Karin from Rockland August 7, 2015 at 5:38 pm - Reply

      Dad dropped off dinner, sushi night!

    72. Leanne August 7, 2015 at 5:37 pm - Reply

      4:35 CST Fish is so alive that Gracie loses it and it flops around nest. George leaves and she begins the dinner ritual.

    73. CarolV August 7, 2015 at 5:37 pm - Reply

      5:35 pmEDT George brings in a good one! Bad day for fish, fine day for osprey!

      • CarolV August 7, 2015 at 6:02 pm - Reply

        Poor #2! Pacing and exercising and waiting to get in there! #1 burned a lot of calories today! Extended refill time…Good thing it’s a big fish!

      • CarolV August 7, 2015 at 6:30 pm - Reply

        6:07pm #2 thinking about running away for lack of food! Just can’t quite get out the door!

      • CarolV August 7, 2015 at 6:41 pm - Reply

        I scrolled back and think I finally saw the chicks switch places.about 1/2 hr ago. I thought the one was eating the whole time! Must have been right after the threat to leave home!

    74. Leanne August 7, 2015 at 5:21 pm - Reply

      I just wish I knew, for sure, who was who. The more I try to figure it out, the more confused I get.

      Has been a wonderful day for the nest. First flight, VF, plenty of sunshine and fish. Life as one of the Osprey 4=Good!

    75. Jefff August 7, 2015 at 5:11 pm - Reply

      I’m guessing that most of the fish that they are catching are bluefish. This so cool to watch.

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