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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
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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.
IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts
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.
Paul 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.
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
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
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
For rjoneal:
great scare me some more (baby near edge!!) 🙂 Shortstack needs not to fall.
9:50 am EDT ..Number 1 and 2 are funny as soon as mom leaves they start sparring and when she comes back they stop. The good thing is they leave the lil one alone for the most part but he seems to get a bump here and there from the aggression of the older ones. Hang in there lil one 🙂
8:30 am all three just got fed, no bonking, so very nice to see. Think Daddy was feeding while momma took a break. Happy……..
OK, CarolV, besides the mini-fridge for the nest package, there was another great idea I saw posted: a mini lens cleaner and attach it to the lens to clear off the squirts (just made me think as I typed this: also a defogger for the lens!!) 😀
Oh, I better clarify!! This is a running gag. There are times when it’s okay to joke around but it’s never appropriate to be cruel and derogatory. We know that birds don’t need our “nest package” with such things as an umbrella for protection from the rain and the sun, a fan for when it’s hot and there is no wind, a windbreak, a mini-fridge or a Pesky Intruder-B-Gone visual bird deterrent.
But I do think that a mini lens cleaner attached to the lens is a great idea!! 😀
That sounds pretty neat. The osprey family would be living in style.
Elaine: On top of the world! 😀
5:17amEDT 6/17..George comes in and hands(claws?) over a fish. It’s unusual in that the tail is gone and he gives Gracie the head/body portion. Gracie has taken to standing in between the chicksand the camera, so I’m not sure which chicks were fed. Looked like she ate and fed someone or all a few bites before she settled in with them again. Trey was on the outskirts till he burrowed thru the sib wall and out of sight.Not sure where fish is, but I don’t think there was time to eat it.
9:15pmEDT,6/16 Only managed to see one real feeding..there was a lot of sleeping in most of the footage I got to scroll thru…About 6pm, Gracie was facing the camera and you could just see Trey behind and to the side…Gracie had fish in foot and would tear off a piece and turn back to Trey, over and over….looked like she was on a swivel. One big chick came up on the other side and Gracie swiveled that way; George was in the no-see corner and got some; and the other big guy woke up to what he was missing and moved up around Trey and got some. Chicks crops look pretty full, so I guess it was a good day…..comments to go thru…and video !!! YYYAAAYYY !!!!
I have never figured out why I stopped getting posts and comments by e-mail…Really have to go thru all ideas again, and maybe get some help from my sibs to see what I shut down.
BETSY: absolutely loved that “run-away fish” video!!!!!!! And how Gracie jumped down as if to tell George “Get a GRIP, man !” Then, at the end, she turns toward the camera as if to say “Oh, well. what can you do? He’s CLOSE to perfect, but…..” HILARIOUS !!!!
And, Betsy, please don’t forget ….take it with a grain of salt and let it go…from me to you; love your passion and fire, but ignore the unimportant…please !!!!! (The breathe comment was directed to you, but I didn’t address it to you personally ..). (;+}
I’m adding Tiny Hiney and Poco to my favorites list of names for #3 (Trey, to me), along with Shortstack and Chickpea…Love how creative everyone is getting,,,,,
I was stopped at light by intersection of rt. 24/105 in Flanders, so had time to see what looked like a tiny head peeping above an edge. Their chicks are probably similar in age, if not slightly older. No way of knowing how many are there. Seeing in to G&G’s world makes me more curious about the nests I’ve been watching from the outside(groundside) all these years…
Left out that there is an osprey nest on a pole there. Not everyone would know that. Sorry.
Lil Bit!!! YAY!!
We like Weebles for #3
CarolV: Thank you, CarolV. I’m breathing, I’m breathing. 😀 … Breathing … not going to mention I don’t like snarky remarks directed toward osprey-viewing friends (or ospreys). BTW, I think you should name any future videos I post … I love “runaway-fish”!!
Hi, Tina, welcome to Osprey Zone. Chick #1 was hatched June 3, #2 on June 5, and #3 on June 8. We are all pulling for our little friend. He is very feisty and has been fed well. He manages to get himself fed. I’ve noticed that Gracie sometimes feeds him after the big ones are done eating, because they pass out (like eating turkey on Thanksgiving) and that’s a good time to give #3 his feeding time. It’s amazing how much bigger the middle one is compared to the baby, because it is approximately 2 1/2 day older. But, in Ospreyland, it makes a difference. There have been plenty of fish this year, and George has become a wonderful fisherman. The whole family is being taken care of very well by George,and Gracie is a wonderful mother, so we are hoping that the three babies will survive and eventually fledge (although we hate to see all of them leave to head south in September. (Don’t want to think about that yet — sob ;-( Other fans on this site are much more knowledgeable than me; they can probably answer all of your questions. Hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.
i did not watch last year, what happened to the littlest one that it did not make it…..
PeeWee was the runt of the clutch & ended up being a victim of siblicide. But George seems to be having a very good fishing season so far & – on top of that – #3 has been getting a nice share of the food, despite being a bit of a runt him/herself. I’m hopeful we don’t have a repeat of last year.
thank you marilyn and jillian
Pamela, unfortunately the littlest one last year could not get enough to eat. It was pretty much pecked to death by an older chick. Very hard to watch. Hoping this year the littlest one has a fighting chance. Seems like it so far. I just wonder when the time comes for the chicks to fly off will the little one be big enough & strong enough. Time will tell.
To all of my wonderful friends here good night. And good night to Our Osprey family.
Oh my goodness at 7:55pm the little one took a squirt and if the Gracie was not in front of the camera, it would have blurred our vision 🙂 Thank you Gracie for taking the hit.
7:19pm..So I wonder what is happening. Last yearcomments were posted 3x daily, This wonderful site has grown and grown, and I know that the spam thing takes so much time to weed through….Paul stated recently that an upgrade is in process…Respectfully asking what is happening, it is very frustrating to wait so long for comments, hugs to all..xoxox
It seemed that as soon as I posted this all of June 16th posted!So I guess the comments will post later in the day, that’s aok,!! Thank you!
Reply- Leanne I totally agree !!!
Leanne commented on Osprey Zone – Live Osprey Cam – North Fork, Long Island, New York.
in response to Karen C:
Hi Carol, You were not around yesterday sweety. We determined Lil Bit is his ofical name. Thanks 🙂
June 16- 12:48 pm- I am very curious as to who “we” are? I believe official naming comes during the summer when the fans of OZ vote to decide who has what name. Until they are truly officially named, we can all call them what we choose to. 🙂
Seems most refer to him as Lil bit anyway. soo majority? Idk
I’ll admit I was one involved in the process.
Reply -sallyanne glad you are back and watching our osprey family they are so big!!
Betsy,as always love the videos! Thanks for all to enjoy
Reply- rajo it was defiantly the fish kill and food supply was bad not to mention 1st time parents. I think 33 is funny name 🙂
rajo June 16, 2016 at 8:15 am I think the major difference from last year is the food supply. My money is on 33 to make it through.
Reply – I do remember this happening and yes we were rescued. I wonder if we have a cleaning crew on hand when it happens this year??
Ann H June 16, 2016 at 11:37 am – You all realize that in a week or two one of the pipsqueaks will squirt the camera lens and all our viewing pleasure will over.
Last year we were “rescued” literally and the lens was cleaned which saved the remainder of the season.
Reply- Kathy B June 16, 2016 at 12:49 pm – Babies too close to edge….momma needs to move so they will follow
I agree, I was yelling at Gracie to make some noise and get their attention and move, or Geo to come to nest and start messing around with the nest maybe then they would move.
Reply- Tammy we have thanked him, several times in previous comments and by now I think he knows how glad all of us are he is with us.
I know, I was one of the first to thank him. I’m just saying he can’t be thanked enough 🙂
Reply- Jillian what osprey bird name is that in your picture I recognize it from somewhere?
Reply -Gamma Carolyn Thank you for giving that info to MarkFlaim, I really wished he would have called the rescue line were the baby was found maybe there was a nest they could have placed baby in. I am hoping those who are new and dont know about laws and rescues on animals read the info.
reply Dawn June 16, 2016 at 3:08 pm – I just may have a heart attack with the chicks THAT close to the edge!!!
I am with you can not believe how much these little guys keep moving around.
Reply to Lucie Pecor June 16, 2016 at 2:18 pm A name is just a name and no reason for people to get bent out of shape.
I couldnt agree more let us start talking about our birds. Look how close to the edge the babies keep getting, its making me a nervous wreck hoping one dont fall out.
Boy, those kids get fed so good that they sleep most of the day! And no fighting.
We have been lucky this year with no squirt direct hits on the camera!!! Nice to have such a clear image.
On the naming issue….Does not matter to me. I refer to him/her as “Spirit” at my desk. A bit of a George Burns reference from the movie “Oh God”. Also, takes a strong spirit to survive with such a later start out of the egg.
Oh, Leanne: I tried really hard to stay awake last night to see if Gracie was acting restless or was awake and sitting up. But, I was out for the count by 11:30 pm. Thinking about it, though, she has 3 chicks under her (2 big ones!!) that are all moving around, changing position and stretching, and needing to shift to “poop.” (Although, the literature states that they are brooded for about 10 days, when they grow too large to fit under her – I think the two older chicks have reached that point!! – and have developed the second down and can thermoregulate.)
Betsy! what a great video of the flapping fish. cracked me up!!! thank you for sharing!
Emilie: You’re welcome. It was funny. The fish, bigger than the chicks, flapping around (I was hoping the chicks weren’t going to get hurt!!). The littlest one scrambling behind the two bigger chicks and the 2nd chick ducking down. Gracie hopping down from the perch, I could just hear her, “Get it outta here! Get it outta here!” And George not being able to grab it back right away, “I’m TRYING!”. And then, when George flew away, the oldest chick looking around, “Where’d breakfast go?”
Hello I am so happy to see they are starting a new family! but i watched last year All i can say is that i am going to pray daily for th little one lil bit because it was torture to watch last year older chicks pecked he third chick to death .not allowing him to eat .. good luck liil bit thanks for sharing this live video im going to come on once in a while becuse it makes me emotional natures survival very difficult to watch
Tina: Welcome! And, no, the smallest chick is not a runt, it was the last to hatch.
Egg #1 laid on April 25th @ 8:51 am
Egg #2 laid on April 28th @ 7:11 am
Egg #3 laid on May 1st @ 7:46 am
1st chick hatched: 6/3/2016 between 2:42 pm and 5:23 pm, when first seen (39 days incubation)
2nd chick hatched: 6/5/2016 somewhere before 4:58 am, when first seen (38 days incubation)
3rd chick hatched: 6/8/2016 at 6:17 am (38 days incubation)
The chicks hatched in the order in which the eggs were laid.
Did anyone see at 2:37pm the little one tumble and roll as he went from one end of the nest to the other to get food. So funny.
4:29 EST And so it begins. Big one was beating up on the little one. The little one was holding his own but……..
Earlier today, the “intruder” was flying too close and George was on red alert. The louder he gave out his warning call the more awake the little one became and started yelling himself. It was very cute to see. One of the bigger chicks was do his best impression of the “Gracie Begging Call” which made me think he may be a she.
I also believe the two big ones are playing not fighting. If they were fighting, they would be pecking at each other. These two are grabbing beaks. The little one started in on the biggest one and the middle child put an end to that- reminded me of how my brothers would protect us when a ruckus would start.
Some people apparently missed the point that I was making. It was not a matter of taking “seriously” what to call the third chick. When someone would call it little one, chick #3, baby 3, BB3, tiny one, trey, Lil Bit, shortstack, peanut, wee one, tiny hiney, poco, or whatever other “affectionate” name people with one iota of common sense knew that it was in reference to the youngest, smallest chick. And for a handful of people, who had never commented on this site before, to come “waltzing in” and proclaim that the “official” name had been “decided” and that it is Lil Bit, well, if anything is rude, that is rude. And, to take it further, for these same all-of-a-sudden-here people to state that so-and-so, who was a newcomer as well, had come up with the name Lil Bit when it had been in use by a lot of people days prior, well, what more need I say.
Well Hun. I for one have been here since just about day one sooo… I’m sure my comments are justified. And i’mm quite sure many will back me up on that. If you were not referring to me doll then I do apologize. 🙂
Your apology is accepted, doll.
Betsy I think she is bringing us all closer together is all. She put a stop people calling him Pee Wee again. She is an inspiration to us all. 🙂
All Osprey Zone Followers a Reply to JillTeter since we have not had a baby name contest yet and I am a person who dont use names I call them bb1 bb2 bb3 just like I did last year with the exception of last year calling Pee wee for baby 3. I dont really appreciate your comment.. I dont know what person you are talking about but if you are going to call them out then be brave enough to use their name. There are more than 2-3 people not using names by the way!!!! So please be nice you have offended me by putting me in this category of not calling the babies by a name. This is a free public chat!!
Talking about being controlling be careful sounds like you are trying to control those of us who dont want to call the babies by a name until the actual baby naming contest.
JillTeter June 16, 2016 at 11:38 am – Reply
Wow It seems there are 2 or 3 people (not using names) that are trying to be very controlling and do not like the names of the chicks people are using. I mean when you start saying things like you had personal conversations with the owners of this website.
rjoneal: Well said, wise woman!
LOL!!lol!!LoL!! Look you are still bickering about the names of the chicks. Wish I had the time to take this sooooo Seriously
3:55 feeding near the camera and #3 is all the way on the other side of the nest sitting on plastic taking in the view missing out
Once Again I will post just as others have said the names are not official yet!! WoW about the names for the babies, Last year Paul is the one who initiated a contest on baby names and it was voted on what the names would be. Because of the show George and Gracie they wanted to name the babies Sandy and Ronny they got the most votes, to go with the same favorite movie of Tommy’s.
I do believe Paul will be the one who will have the final say if there’s a contest and what the names will be as he did last year. A lot of bickering about what people can call baby three that’s kind of silly .
This is a free public open chat and until the babies are named I think everyone has the right to call the babies whatever they want .
Last year before the babies were named all the babies had several names and it worked out fine until the naming contest was completed.
No need to get upset or offended or say you have to call baby three this or that. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and everyone has the right to call baby three whatever they choose until it is named. We should be talking about the family. We all love our Osprey family let’s enjoy they’re all healthy and growing.
I agree. As a fellow old timer with you here rjoneal, we need to enjoy them for what they are right now. Deciding WHO they will be can come later, when Paul and Tommy decide.
I dont remember all this controversy last year with the naming of the babies.
Well said….Thank you!!!!
I just may have a heart attack with the chicks THAT close to the edge!!!
It’s not that serious, it’s nature.
Last weekend I watched George in action fishing in the waters to the right of the screen. He even landed on the small beach and suddenly Gracie called out, I looked up and there was an uninvited guest near by in the sky. George quit fishing pronto and made his way to the nest. I wish I took note of the time of day exactly so I could go back and view. But he was ready to protect his family.
I envy you to be so close to the area!!
All it takes is one person to take the enjoyment out of something. In this case, this Osprey site. When everything you do or say is being monitered by big brother or sister it is no longer fun. Watch, use the 4 hr scroll back to see whats happened, but forget the comments. They amount to one persons opinion. And yes I did post some information that was and is serious, for everyone.
🙂 For Elaine – me too! A name is just a name and no reason for people to get bent out of shape! 🙂 I just want the little one to be healthy. Shortstack is a cute name though! 😉
This is our second year watching and are thoroughly enjoying the progression from waiting for them to return to building a family. We have named the little one Weebles!
Hi All, I’m a newbie to this site & getting a chuckle on all the cute name suggestions. The little one is a real cutie. When I first started watching, the first name that came to my mind was Rocky – a tough little fighter with heart.
I noticed that chick #3 is panting his little head off. I can actually hear him/her panting. I wonder if it is hot there today?
Weebles
HAAAA my co-worker & I are dying laughing over how seriously people are taking this naming of the third chick thing – so thanks for that, all 🙂 We like ‘Lil Bit’, though my first idea was ‘Spare Chick’ as in; if something happens to one of the bigger ones, there’s a spare 🙂
LOL your too funny Suzanne I am over here dying of laughter at your comment. Yes most of us seem to like Lil Bit as well. Of course people can call them whatever they may though. 🙂
Like royalty..an heir and a spare…or two
Seeing as how small #3 is compared to its siblings, I do hope we don’t have a repeat of last seasons events.
13.24.16 – #3 belatedly decided to join in the feed and tumbled head over tail across the nest!
Some are thinking he may have developmental issues. Who knows?
1:30 pm feeding – the little guy getting some VERY good bites in! Seems like siblings are accepting his place at the table, as if they’re all equals.
I also think everyone should give a special thanks to Aidan who I think has the job of sorting through all of our comments. Thanks Aidan 🙂
June 16- 1:06 pm- I’m a little confused. How did you determine that chick 3’s name was to be Lil Bit? I havent seen a vote taken or seen anyone asking the fans of OZ what we thought the name should be. So as a more senior member of OZ, can you please tell me who did the actual naming? Thanks. 🙂
Babies too close to edge….momma needs to move so they will follow
I’m new to this site. Was the littlest one born after the first two or is it a “runt”? I see the other two hang together and leave the little one by itself.
they were hatched June 3, June 5th and the smallest one on June 8th
Yes the smallest is about 41/2 days younger than the 1st born, and 2 1/2 from the second one. That’s why there is such a difference in size.
The littlest one was the last to be born.
So As of 12:40 pm I am happy to report that all chicks have been fed well. Lil Bit seems to be thriving and growing. I am so happy for him/her. Does anyone have any names for 1 and 2?
George brings lunch around noontime — another live fish. However, all of the babies are passed out. That’s a good sign; I guess they are all full. Peanut starts to stir and gets a private feeding, before passing out. He revived for a short time and started eating again. As I’m typing this, the other two wake up but have not made an effort for the food. Have to leave now. I’ll check in later today to see what transpires. Hope everyone is having a good day.
HI all a week ago I found an abandoned osprey chick down by the river. He is a bit younger then these three. I am raising him myself and am learning alot from this site. Thanks all.
Mark, I don’t want to burst your bubble of excitement, but this is information you need to know.
The federal protection of migratory birds has a long history in the United States dating back to 1916 when a treaty was signed with Great Britain, on behalf of Canada, for the protection of most migratory birds. This treaty resulted in the enactment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) in 1918, which is the basic law in effect today. Although raptors such as hawks and owls were not protected by the original MBTA, they were later included as an amendment in 1972. The Bald Eagle has been protected since the enactment of the Eagle Act in 1940 and the Golden Eagle, also under the Eagle Act, since 1962. State laws and regulations today likewise protect all migratory birds.
The precise language in the MBTA states:
“Unless and except as permitted by regulations made as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful at any time, by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture, or kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to barter, barter, offer to purchase, purchase, deliver for shipment, ship, export, import, cause to be shipped, exported, or imported, deliver for transportation, transport or cause to be transported, carry or cause to be carried, or receive for shipment, transportation, carriage, or export, any migratory bird, any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, or any product, whether or not manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or in part, of any such bird or any part, nest or egg.”
As you can see from this legal language, migratory birds are highly regulated. Some migratory birds, like waterfowl can be legally hunted and possessed. However, there is no such provision for raptors. Eagles, ospreys, hawks, falcons, kites, owls, vultures and all other native North American birds of prey are strictly protected, to include a prohibition against the taking or possession of their parts such as feathers or talons. The only exceptions generally allowed for individuals to these prohibitions require permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Educational and scientific institutions are exempted from most permit requirements.
Penalties for violations of the MBTA can reach $15,000 and six months imprisonment for common violations. The sale or barter of migratory birds is a felony with penalties up to $500,000 and two years imprisonment. Some raptors are also protected under the Endangered Species Act, and both the Bald and Golden Eagles are also protected under the Eagle Act.
Questions concerning the protection of raptors should be directed to a local state Conservation Officer or the nearest office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Hi really though just across the border in Canada. So all good 🙂
Mark, Gamma Carolyn is right. I’m going to chime in and say that if you really care about the well-being of the osplet, that you take to the nearest bird rescue sanctuary you can find so that they can take over raising it. That’s just my opinion, though. 🙂
You need to get him to a wildlife rescue organization ASAP
If you live in the area of the east end, the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Foundation in Hampton Bays is excellent.
If you are more west, Volunteers for Wildlife in Locust Valley .
Gamma and Jillian, I am so glad you posted that information. Ospreys are notoriously difficult to raise in captivity successfully, even in a rehab facility. Very few facilities even have them as they stress very easily and will not often eat fish that they have not caught themselves. There are exceptions, of course, but with a young chick, not only is it illegal but it is putting the future of that chick at risk even if it reaches adulthood.
Here is a list of wildlife rehab contacts for you as well anyone that finds an injured bird or animal: http://wildliferehabber.com/rehabber-location-listings/us/
I am sure they can help the baby and save its life.
Robin: Thanks for posting the link. I sure could have used it last year when I found a baby robin in the middle of the road unable to really hop and next to its dead sibling. It took me a while, but eventually I was able to track down a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Going to bookmark this.
Around 8:17 a.m., Gracie brought some type of grayish-black netting or ribbon to the nest. It’s on the right side, close to the edge of the nest. Sometimes I think she’s a hoarder. Maybe she has a fettish for material, such as plastic, string, etc. She needs a lesson in housekeeping — although she’s a wonderful mommy.
Marlene: She certainly has an eye for finding some of the weirdest things!! 😀
Betsy, thanks for posting the video with the live fish getting into the nest bowl. It was funny how Peanut hid behind the bigger siblings. I guess he knows how to protect himself! Yes, George has sure turned into a wonderful father/hunter/nest builder. One year makes a big difference.
Marlene: You’re welcome.
Wow It seems there are 2 or 3 people (not using names) that are trying to be very controlling and do not like the names of the chicks people are using. I mean when you start saying things like you had personal conversations with the owners of this website. Seems a bit childish. Lets all try to move forward in peace. enough of the nonsense.
Jill We know who they are they seem to spend all day here flooding the comments. Pay no mind. And all try to get along 🙂
You all realize that in a week or two one of the pipsqueaks will squirt the camera lens and all our viewing pleasure will over.
Last year we were “rescued” literally and the lens was cleaned which saved the remainder of the season.
Thats right! We should invest in buying a mini lens cleaner any attach it to the lens ?
Or, maybe Gracie will bring back a windshield wiper!! 😀
Hi all I’m sorry if I offended anyone. There seems to be a lot of finger pointing going on here so I decided to show my face. I mean this day in age with social media shouldn’t we all have a picture or something. so one can be remembered with ease. How are our birds doing today : )
Oh no Tammy you did not offend anyone. Well I mean at least I was not offended. Its good to have you here you seem to be very enthusiastic.
Hi Tammy how are you? Just letting you know not offended here.
Growing by leaps and bounds. 🙂
I Can’t figure out how to post any pictures or videos when posting in this forum! How did you upload your picture and how to we upload other pics and videos??
Laura: We can’t post picture … yet!! [A new system is being figured out “that allows viewers to publish clips and stills on our site … It might take the form of a richer comments section or maybe even a viewers posting section if we can figure out a way to allow posts in real time (no delays).”] For now, to post a video, put in the video URL at the end of your comment. If it’s a video that you copied from OspreyZone, it must have the full copyright and sponsorship info on all images. If it gets approved by the moderators, it will be posted.
I hadn’t made up my mind if I was going to put “a picture” or “pictures” before I posted … ergo, “can’t post picture” 😀
Since everyone is entitled to their own opinion…I didn’t agree to Lil Bit.
I decided to call chick 3 – Shortstack. 🙂 as you said- who cares what we call the little guy so long as they are happy, healthy and wise! 😉
For Lucie Pecor: I like that name “Shortstack”. That is a cute name for the little one. I get tickled when the two older ones get into a playful mood. It reminds me of a pillow fight. Typical children. It could also look like a boxing match with beaks. I am glad chick #3 stays out of it and doesn’t get involved.
Elaine: They are not playing. They establish a hierarchy of dominance – so that if food is or becomes scarce, the dominant chick is the first to get fed, ensuring that at least one of the year’s brood might survive. The oldest will often peck at the other chicks to let them know they should act subordinate. Then the younger chicks do the same to the chicks beneath them to establish the “pecking order.” In rare cases it can lead to siblicide (a chick can be pecked to death — it reportedly happened on this site last year).
LOL!! I agree. The only thing that matters is that he survive and I think he will. He’s a spunky little thing and manages to get in on the feeding action! Love that little guy!! 🙂
At 8:52:36 am, George landed on the nest in the nest bowl near chick #3 with nesting stuff, startling the little one who had been awake just before to squirt and had fallen back asleep. The older two chicks were toward the back of the nest and Gracie was standing on the right edge of the nest preening. George did a little housekeeping and then noticed the fish … and then he fed the little one.
https://youtu.be/uSSxrGI_xzY
Thanks for posting the video. Must of missed this.
Thank you That was Great!!!
What is all that “crap” in the nest?
Hi bairdm1 the osprey are known to be a very unkempt bird at times. Especially when it comes to building nests, they will often bring in (without thought) just about anything they can pick up.
it is a place in their neck where they store food
sorry i thought u where asking something else need to put my glasses on Ha
and he’s got a HUGE crop ! Yea….way to go George!
9:00 am Daddy feeding BB3 all by itself with other 2 just sleeping and looking on. Awesome and very endearing !
I think I’ve seen George feeding the little guy more than he feeds the others.. may be just a matter of timing, but it is adorable that he seems to be looking out for #3…daddy, child bonding…
I think the major difference from last year is the food supply. My money is on 33 to make it through.
At 6:23:40 am, Gracie was up on the perch, doing some begging calls. George flew to the nest with a whole flapping fish, after flying around behind the nest and across the water before landing on the nest. He lost his grip on the fish after he picked it up with his beak and it flapped around, first right next to the nest bowl and then on top of the chicks!! Gracie then hopped down from the perch as George was trying to get a hold of the fish! He managed to get hold of it and fly off, coming back at 6:49 am with the fish … headless and now safe!
https://youtu.be/E-ae5ALGCQk
6:49 am to 7:15 am: Gracie took the fish from George. The two bigger chicks were fed and then they turned away when they’d had enough, and the little one worked its way closer to Gracie. Gracie then moved so her back was in front of the camera, blocking the view, but it appeared as if she was feeding the little one with the scraps that had fallen, and then she moved slightly to the right as she tried to feed the little one a too big of a piece of fish. And, again she blocked the view so it couldn’t be seen what she was doing, before finally moving over just barely enough to see her feeding the chicks pieces of the fish, including the bigger two, who were again ready to eat, and the little one. She cleaned up around the nest bowl, eventually making her way to the chicks to sit. George, meanwhile, was in and out of the nest several times doing his George-y things.
Great video thanks for sharing love. 🙂
You’re welcome.
I am pleasantly amazed at how these 2 parents have matured over the year. They have turned out to be great parents. Plenty of fish to go around as compared to last year. At 6:25ish this morning the fish brought in was good sized and very much alive. It was flopping around all over. George (I assume) had to take it out of the nest. I’m sure he’ll bring back enough for all to get their bellies full. Last year Gracie would have been pitching a fit at him.
at 6:23:27 you can see George in background bringing in a fish…6:24 lands with a very alive fish..he drops it starts flapping around smacking baby on back..couple seconds later flies off to remove head..i think chick 2 who was in the middle ducked down in nest after getting a behind slap from fish…
It’s mind-boggling how quickly the chicks, especially the two older chicks, are growing – looking different last evening from how they appeared in the morning and, again, this morning how different they look from just last evening!! (I wouldn’t even be able to make another video of the differences between the two older chicks, because by the time it was done and posted, they would already look different!! 😀 Well, at least the stripe along each one’s back remains unchanged!!)
I am so glad you made this comment .I thought it was my imagination about the literal difference between night and day. They actually seem to grow overnight.
Beautiful sunrise….Gracie looks so serene.
Hi, Tammy. I’m a little confused! Have you been posting under a different name, because I don’t see anyone commenting as “Tammy” on the 34 previous pages of comments in the “Live Feed” section (at least 11,381 comments in the “Live Feed” section alone) or on any of the comments in the other sections of OspreyZone. Are you somebody that we should know? I know there are Tommy and Christina, and I don’t believe Tammy is a nickname for Christina. I do not know the name of Paul’s wife (or even if he is married, for that matter) but I can’t imagine, after receiving and reading emails from him and viewing his TRS website, that he would have a wife who has such poor grammar, punctuation, and spelling. (Or, perhaps you’re spam.) Therefore, excuse me for saying so, but I find it highly presumptuous of you to make an announcement that YOU are “pleased to let you all know that our Lil Bit is doing very well” and that “we will be going with Lil bit as Opposed to Pee Wee” and that “Yesterday we agreed to call him that. I belive Grandma Mema came up with that name. (: Love it!!” And, by the way, first of all, it’s not “Grandma Mema,” it’s Granma Mema; second of all, she did not come up with the name (read my post under Betsy June 15, 2016 at 2:19 pm … that is, if you can read); and lastly, “we” did not agree to anything.
Guess I should have out troll not spam!! 😀 😀
There is one advantage to the delayed posting…several people can post the same event and see things differently. By comparing and contrasting, a more rounded view of the same actions can be formed…I love that outcome of the delayed posting…..I can review and say..”I thought I noticed that, and now someone else saw it too.” Since I miss so much when working, I can find out from several sources how the day went. And since comments are not current when I log on, I can do the 4 hr. scrollback and add my view of what I saw, to compare later when comments pop up. This is more than a study of ospreys……
Of all the names for #3, my favorites so far are Shortstack and Chickpee(a)…Sorry I can’t give credit..too tired to scroll thru comments again..you know who you are….Whatever form of chat is chosen, I hope it is coherent and retro-accessible for those who aren’t here as much.
Say Goodnight, Gracie………..
Note: June Full Moon..called The Strawberry Moon…7:02am 6/20…..if the weather is clear, should be some pretty pictures…
8:17pmEDT It was good to see and read how well fed all the chicks are !! Even Trey looks like he grew since this morning !!! He has gotten very good about getting in position for the feedings I’ve been able to see.@5:44 feeding, he was in line right next to fish; @6:27 he was cozying up to George’s foot for some Dad time and an extra feed.
Gracie had gone out for some exercise about 6:08 and had about a 20min. session, when she came back and settled in with the chicks, except they don’t fit IN. Hanging out from under Gracie already!
It’s good to see a more relaxed Gracie this year. Whether experience or abundance, she’s not the squawking, mantling, frantic Gracie from last year…demanding George leave the nest before she would even start serving fish. Granted, I missed the first week or so after the chicks were born in 2015, so I don’t know how she started out last year. I just hope things keep going well, food stays available and health reigns in OZ.
I still have some catching up. Just skimmed thru to see feeding successes. And I saw(and read) that Trey is standing up to Uno and Dos. It also seems peer aggression has slowed down between the older two. Good.!
BTW ,,, I was fine with last year’s naming system….a date was established, suggestions were submitted and, later in the summer, Paul and Tommy( I believe) chose the formal names. Other sites seem to use a similar system. Until then, the chicks had no designated names and many nicknames……Even Peewee wasn’t officially Peewee till so chosen. So……
I am proposing the name “Poco”, which, incidentally, is the Spanish word meaning “Small, little”, for our little one. My first little Yorkshire Terrier, I named Poco, some 20+ years ago, and I find it very appropriate and cute in this day and age, since we have so many Latinos living here. Any Latinos taking an exception or complaint by this should have a VERY good argument other than “they are offended”, as there is no offence or even an implication of one. Poco is the PERFECT name.
7:08pm Just logged in and thought Gracie had her own fishing pole! Will have to catch up on comments and rewind, but I got a chuckle at that thought….
I just loved watching Dad (I think) feeding little bit. He was just munching on leftovers and the little one scooted up to him and got a few bites. Very sweet to see. This happened about an hour ago, sorry forgot to get the ‘time’ of this.
First time watching these 3. It is a blessing to see all three eating with no fighting or “bonking”. Have they been getting along this well since birth?