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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
Haven’t been on in a while, last I saw was the little one getting really beaten up. Then there was some fish brought to the nest, but didn’t get to see who ate. I’m sure it wasnt the little one.
Please shut the camera off if you have any primitive sense of decency-I can’t think of anything bad enough that should make those bullies suffer the way they have made their brother suffer, how can you just sit there?
Can someone tell me, please, did Peanut eat anything at the feeding? From your posts it sounds like he did not get a bite.
Thank you
From what I saw he didn’t get a bite. Up until today, I was confident he was going to survive.
(s)he didn’t get a single morsel. Plus (s)he is so weak, I don’t think he would even take any food. Very sad……
Is it probable that the lack of regular feedings is due to the massive fish kill (bunkers, or Atlantic Menhaden) this year? An expert is quoted as saying it’s the biggest fish kill in 20 years.
finally some food, but the little one unfortunately will not get any. I don’t think hes strong enough & the two other ones will not let him/her anyway. Poor baby.
I’m very surprised that those in charge will not intervene and save the baby before he dies. Other Osprey nest do what they can to save the chicks when their life is in dangeR So why isnt site management stepping in before its too late? Im sure I am not the only one here that would love to see this baby saved so he can have a chance at life. The older one attacked him all day long and was more brutal, flipping him all around then kept on top of him all evening so he couldnt eat and also maybe to smother him. I’ve seen other nest of 3 chicks and all three chicks were fed by the mother. This mother does nothing to defend the baby from the others, its hearbreaking and his lil chirps are getting weaker.PLEASE do something !!!
It’s to late, he died during the night.
PeeWee is still alive, if he makes it through today, he will need to definitely eat tomorrow or before it gets dark today to have a chance, what a fighter that chick is.
Dang, NO!! It just moved..Maybe it’s close to death that’s why Gracie is going on so?.
Had to get away for a bit, it was too much to take. I’m hoping the little one has finally given up. Can’t see any sign of him/her.
I haven’t addressed the intervention thing at all. Both sides are understandable which makes it so tricky to choose. Both sides are valid. But I think the exasperating thing for us non-scientists or “pro-interventionists” is that yeah, we understand this happens in nature , but this situation is on a small scale—we “know” these birds , so why not just make this particular situation humane. Because it’s a “nature cam” isn’t really cutting it with me right now. Let us be honest, once you let us in, it’s not “just” a nature cam anymore.
I am of the mind that we are just observers, as if I was watching a show on Nature. But I find your perspective to be thought provoking. The camera puts us in a very gray area.
Well, at least the little one won’t be suffering anymore. So, so sad/difficult to watch and feel so helpless…
rest in peace pee wee.
It is truley sad to see the demise of the little one. I was so praying, as others were that it would survive. After today that seems very unlikely. Mother nature doesn’t have us in mind.
The baby is still alive ,but so weak between the beatings & no food today ! Hoping George brings another fish back & the baby gets a full belly tonight. I know I’m being unrealistic , but I can hope. Her little head is so raw. Right now she under her mother, resting. Praying she makes it through the night and has a better day tomorrow.
they are all so exhausted. after the drama of today, i feel a comfort seeing mom on top of the babies, even knowing that little squeak may not make it. it’s a human hope that he is comforted in some way by his family surrounding him and can finally go to his final sleep. if that is what comes tonight. many of us likely feel exhausted watching today. i cannot thank the operator enough for the opportunity to see nature. in pure form. we as humans want to make things right. that is a false idea. through tears, i see beauty and trust nature. trust osprey.
When I stopped watching, the 2 bully ones had gotten on top of the baby one, then mother got down on them.
This nest alternates between terribly sad to sweet. 7:09 nest time, Gracie is brooding all three chicks, and is even resting her beak on the back of the one in front of her. I know I’m being too human with what I’m about to say, but it almost looks as if she’s sorry for what’s happening–the lack of food, and #3’s constant beatings from the older siblings. This is my second year watching several osprey nests, and I’m always struck by how their lives can sometimes mirror our human lives so closely.
This is the worst thing I have ever heard. I will be traumatized forever by this. It didn’t have to happen.
There are many reasons why George may not have hunted much today. Perhaps he noticed the unusually heavy boath traffic in the water and didn’t feel save leaving the nest. Perhaps a predatory bird had been nearby and he was ensuring his family wasn’t snatched away while he hunted. Perhaps, as others have suggested, the storms and tides created very poor fishing conditions and he was conserving his energy until conditions cleared. It could be anything. These birds know what they are doing. We, as humans, can only speculate. Unfortunately the conditions at this nest have only allowed for two chicks to flourish, but if you look at the numbers posted far below, 2 chicks is right on the average number for a successful nest. Let’s be thankful that we’re witnessing two predatory birds grow right before our eyes, rather than just on the negative situation also taking place. Nature is often a zero-sum game in that way.
I am so happy George is back in the swing of things. I imagine Gracie is too.
It is really tough to watch #3 look at mom as she eats the rest of the fish. I’m sure she is aware if she doesn’t eat, no one will.
Even tho I believe in the interferance to save peewee……….if I can’t handle it………IT SAYS DISCRETION ADVISED! …….If it gets too much for me then I will turn it off and not view it. We must learn to set our own limits.
nearly done for now, it is being suffocated ,rest in peace little one
Hello all, just logged on. Is the little guy still alive? I don’t see him. I don’t think he’ll make it through the night if he is alive. RIP little runt. 🙁
I sort of prayed the little one was dead after what he’s been through….but he’s still alive. Poor thing ! This has been rough ! Im spent in more ways than one !
I’ve only been watching a few days, it’s been quite an education. A glimpse into the reality of life for these birds. Only the strong survive, no human intervention is necessary. Nature gives, and Nature takes away.
I had a few hours of screeching with no fish coming, then tortuous brutality, then more screeching, then all over again for hours on end today. Nevertheless, I noticed Brut (#1) and Brutus (#2) seemed to do much more damage to LilBits (#3) the longer the wait for food. George showed up with NO fish, stayed for awhile, left, came back with NO fish, then over again. Seemed like that for most of the day. George wasn’t holding up his end. Gracie even left the nest alone while she brought more sticks, no fish. I do so hope LilBits makes it. My home nest is Chesapeake Concervancy’s Eastern Shore (Md.) cam. We lost all of our eggs but we got 2 chicks for our birds to foster. Yes, there can be hope when all seems lost…
It’s so sad to hear the runt still crying for food. I’m agreeing I don’t think he stands a chance anymore.
I hope the tortured little one passes in his sleep and flies to Heaven tonight.
Thanks for the single fish today George – you are responsible.
This horror show has to end.
Didn’t watch today but logged in to see if PeeWee finally past to the big nest in heaven. Can’t believe he’s still hanging in. I still won’t watch,but need to read the comments. I do feel bad for Paul and company since this is their first year. Next year will be better as this couple seem to be novices themselves. BUT, I have renamed the other two babies Ouday and Qusay. The littlest is ANGEL. Godspeed all
I see G & G are fighting over the remainder of the fish after feeding # 1 & 2. And I see #3 is at a position to be fed, but doesn’t have the strength to ask for food.
I feel there will be only 2 chicks to care for tomorrow…
You are right. The baby has no energy left to even get out of the way or try to eat. Such a sad nest when one cannot make it. George feeding Gracie even when babies were hatched bothered me. There is not a good bond here.
I haven’t been watching this cam. I only heard about it because someone posted about it on another cam site. I am by no means a bird expert but I do know just by “Google” that siblicide is common among different species of birds. Some birds (like eagles) are obligate siblicide…. where it almost always happens that chick A kills chick B. Some species are facultative siblicide which means it may or may not occur depending on environmental conditions like food availability. Since this is upsetting to us humans, it is probably best not to watch, or perhaps watch a species in which this is not likely to occur. The fact that we have the incredible privilege to watch completely wild and free birds does not mean that we should interfere when things aren’t going the way we would prefer. They are not here for our entertainment or pleasure although they do give us both those things. We are observing nature as it is…. the way it happens in nests all over. It is natures design even thought that we may not understand the reason.
Here you find two young sea-eagles soon ready to fly. They have been the best of friends since hatched: http://www.tk.no/vis/direktevideo/reir#
Well said!
Thank you, Paul, for this opportunity to see how nature can be. I’m sure it is not what you expected on the first year of your webcam. Not pretty to watch. We can read what can go on in nature–from this kind of behavior to the current starvation of seals–or sea lions or whatever–off the west coast of California; but it is another to see it first hand. I suspect that the lack of fish–dead-beat dad and stormy weather aside, might be due, at least in part, to the two massive dieoffs of bunker recently in the Riverhead area. The dieoffs had to have some trickle down or trickle up effect. Since there is already a Jeanne, I guess I can go by Jeanne S. if you post this.
Paul how can you sit there a few feet away and not call in someone to get the little guy out? How can you? How? It’s sickening. How? Really?
Nancy I suggest you tune out, and if you choose to continue viewing, I request you stop pleading and bullying the host of the site. If people don’t get a grip, and I were the person broadcasting this, I would simply never air it again. When you choose to view nature, you need to be prepared to accept it, not demand, human intervention.
My thoughts exactly.
Unfortunately this occurs in nature and probably occurs more often than we realize. It has been a delight to follow and watch these birds however the good rarely comes without some bad. No one, including Paul is responsible for what is occurring and intervening in these natural chain of events that are taking place has been strongly discouraged by ornithologists. It is sad to watch but we must redirect our feelings to hope that the other two babies survive to fledge and that we are able to witness them take their first flight. It was also stated in the information provided by the ornithologists that for every 3 osprey eggs only 1 to 1.5 fledge. If the 2 older babies survive long enough to fledge and take flight I think it will be a very successful parenting season for George and Gracie.
Paul is not a few feet away, the pole is 80 feet high!!
Poor PeeWee.
Paul you are doing an awesome job, we can tell you are moved by this as well & we appreciate you.
Gee and I thought the first born would not make it….
Thank you
HE’S NOT A FEW FEET AWAY! STOP GUILT TRIPPING THIS MAN! THIS IS NATURE- TURN IT OFF IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE IT! These nests are 20+ feet in the air. It’s a camera mounted above the nest. Please don’t do this to the moderator. If people harassed me like this (if I were moderator) it would be the LAST time I did it. There would not be a camera to watch.
Nancy,,,,Your comment is just too nasty to have been printed.. Lighten up, take a chill pill, and hope nobody ever speaks to you like that!
You can’t be so hard on the people who gave us this opportunity to watch nature. What is going on has been happening for years. In many animals this is the way of life. Thanks for letting see this and please realize you have given many people a very educational opportunity and sometimes things don’t exactly go as exprected or wanted there isn’t always a fairytale ending to every story
I say thanks for sharing. Cudos to all involved.
How could you click on the site without reading “VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED”. This is a predator bird species. Did you notice the live fish the mother was tearing apart to feed the young? No one yelling foul about that yet nature has its way to protect each species ensuring that only the strongest will survive to protect its self. Say you do save it, then it gets older and you set it free. It would not be able to feed itself and if it mated would bare weak babies again which if each nest this was done would put hundreds of weak eagles into the system that could cause disease’s or inability to raise more young putting species in trouble. Yes hard to watch but have been a nature lover since a young child and understand how the system works. I was hoping good would come of it too but was worried this would happen when egg was a week late hatching with others having a head start. If it did live with food at times being hard to get which we witnessed today, will ensure the other 2 will be good and strong and easier for the parents to feed and ensure they will someday leave the nest and multiply. Has been happening for millions of years, nature is amazing in this way that it is embedded in their brain of knowing what to do and what to expect. I go to federal parks and see people jump out of cars when a bear shows up to get good pictures and cry “bad bear” when attacked. These are predator species trained to kill and survive any way they can. There was a warning before watching this that it may get this way and it did.
“We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived.” That quote is from the post above by an expert who does this for a living. Please everyone, stop pleading with Paul to do something and burdening him with all this guilt. There is nothing to be done. It is how Ospreys have nested for longer than we have all been alive. When food is scarce, weaker chicks do not survive. Paul has given us a wonderful glimpse into how nature operates, both the beautiful and the hard to watch. I am very grateful for this unique view on the nesting of predatory birds.
Thank you. It’s hard to watch, but it’s natures way
Well said!
Thank you. Those are my sentiments exactly. This is my first post. I have been watching diligently and have been heartbroken over the treatment of #3. (whom I named Reba in reference to her song “I’m A Survivor”) I guess it was wishful thinking. Who knows, it still might be a good outcome………..I AM a bit tired reading about everyone begging Paul to do something. If you’re trying to make someone feel like crap, you’re all doing a good job! Instead, why don’t you all thank him for making this possible. One request for him to do something was enough, and his answers with expert backup should satisfy you. I’m having trouble watching the brutality also and if you can’t watch, turn it off. You’re in control.
PS..Thanks Paul.
Dad brought food but I think Pee-wee is too weak to care about eating. Can’t believe he is still here. He is such a fighter. I hope dad tries to feed him when the other two are finished but I think it is too late. Rest peacefully and go to the better place.
Forget about feeding him. #2 is trying to kill it.
Finally a whole big fish! But soon RIP to the little guy.
Close your eyes, little one. Don’t wake up. I pray that you finally find peace.
Judging by the way the runt is breathing, he will be dead soon. Bummer.
I still see some movement in #3, but I doubt seriously he will be able to even take food @ this point.
As I suspected, once the food arrived the beating down became much more aggressive for #3. Especially by #2 when #1 was initially getting all the food.
Although it has been heart wrenching, I for one am VERY grateful for the opportunity to watch another life form go about THEIR way of life. Thanks Paul.
Hi all i am usually at he Osprey sight of Rachel and Steve.. That sure is one floppy fish. : )
Was given warning about this site, but After going through what i did last friday, i have sense become stronger. And sure not happy about little bitty here. : (
Well guess the little one is done for, didn’t get a bite, has no strength left 🙁
…hope it’s not too late.
This nest alternates between terribly sad to sweet. 7:09 nest time, Gracie is brooding all three chicks, and is even resting her beak on the back of the one in front of her. I know I’m being too human with what I’m about to say, but it almost looks as if she’s sorry for what’s happening–the lack of food, and #3’s constant beatings from the older siblings. This is my second year watching several osprey nests, and I’m always struck by how their lives can sometimes mirror our human lives so closely.
That was wild, it was like parents both waited until the little one was as close to death as one could get from the other 2 and then bring in a trophy sized fish for feeding in like two seconds from leaving the nest like they had it stashed waiting for the right time. I think the way the wild are, did not want to bring food in while the weak one was alive so the others would have more. My opinion anyway, may not be right but sure appeared that way. Prayers to the little one that it may now be at peace.
Not true at all, gracie was screaming all day for fish, she even sounded like she starting getting a sore throat, the bigger chicks won’t survive on one fish, if the little one dies, the male ins’t going to all of a sudden get 9 fish a day, they are first time parents i was told.
When do the little ones start eating directly from the fish? They never eat unless they are fed by the parents even when there is a half fish laying there.
Finally!!! Dinner is served! While I’m certain that “Squeak” won’t get any, I have to admire it’s perseverance! Every time it’s older siblings try to get it on it’s back, it fights back! It’s the nature of the beast! Despite the cruel treatment it’s receiving, “Squeak” has the desire to just “Squeak by”, so I’ll continue to root for him/her.
PS. I forgot who initially called him/her “Squeak”, but I Love It!!!
Yes!! wishes granted
5:43 and George FINALLY brought food! And, I saw him catch it!! So did Gracie. Unfortunately…I think # 3 passed moments before….
Yea.. A fish has been delivered. Little guy is all but gone. At least the rest of the crew will have something in their belly tonight
Wishing George would bring some food
OMG! Please put the wee one out of its misery already. This is too tragic to watch!
What started out as a beautiful idea from this host has turned into a tragedy. Something went terribly wrong with George yesterday after he left tangled in the mesh. Last year the an eagle nest only fledged one chick as the male was too young to understand. Once Gracie gets hungry enough she’ll have no choice but to fish. We will probably start to see #1 and #2 attack each other soon.
I wonder if things would have been different had we brought in a bucket truck to remove that mesh?
Sad to say, but I think this might be it for the little guy. Not having eaten all day & getting beat up so bad today, I don’t think the poor little thing has a chance. 🙁
George has been gone for over a 1/2 hr., No feeding at all today ! The older siblings have been brutal to the baby, I’m amazed that she has lasted this long . She is fighting so hard too Live. Everyday she survives is better for her, but she has to have some nourishment ! What is wrong today ?
One can only wonder who the 2 bigger ones will beat on when the little one is gone and they still have no food
I’m not an expert, but I have watched a number of nests with cams for a number of years, and I have never seen or heard of the adults withholding food for any reason. George has been a good provider until today, which suggests that something has changed. I read that they were spraying mosquitoes in a town 5 miles away either yesterday or today – and I don’t know if that would affect the fish around here. I’m not anti-spraying – just noting that the fish may have moved out for a day or two if the water tastes funny. I also fear the youngest one won’t survive – but I do not think it will be a result of the attacks – it’s much more likely that he’ll die of dehydration. I will also note, as others have, that the older chicks are not evil or mean – they are doing what instincts developed over generations has proven to be a successful survival technique: If there’s limited food – don’t share it. I’ve heard that fishing is often better in the early morning or late afternoon than the middle of the day – and am hoping that’s the case here today.
The male brings huge fish all the time, it should feed all three of them, the problem is, the male isn’t fishing enough, he seems to have a lazy side or he’s not eating much either and has no desire or energy to go and fish, he was on the nest almost all day, he looked tired or not interested in fishing, one fish isn’t going to be enough for 2 big chicks growing and they will be hungrier everyday as they grow big, George needs to step up his fishing.
Is this some sick joke? Did I tune into some snuff film? Watching these two larger chicks attack and torture that poor lil chick is horrific. This needs to end. Death can’t come soon enough for that little chick. This is heartwrenching!! (And, YES, I know I can tune out and I have.) May peace be with the little baby.
If the two bigger birds think we have to get rid of this other one so we can eat more & survivie, why don’t the parents think we need to feed all 3 of them & stop the pecking?
What is wrong with these parents? That one big fish yesterday fed all the chicks. Food is the huge issue at this nest, and directly responsible for the behaviors we’re observing.
I think its time to shut the camera down, this is so hard to watch.
He has no more fight in him. RIP little one. Sorry I got interested in this site
The little guy has a gash on the top of his head. It looks as though the siblings are trying to eat him in earnest…
This is so heartbreaking. The one sibling has been pecking at him since 3:30. He is such a little fighter but my god enough already. They caught a fish and fed the big ones and the little guy got nothing. Poor baby. Wont be here much longer..
How much longer can this go on? That poor little one, constantly getting beaten up. Someone posted that it would be easier if he/she just laid down, went to sleep & didn’t wake up & I have to agree. Even if he/she survives the brutal attacks I don’t think he/she will ever be able to fly & will get taken down by a predator anyway. so sad.
Been watching for the last couple of days. These cams are meant to educate, and give us a glimpse into the lives of Osprey. This is only one nest out of thousands. Friday, we watched as two Osprey chicks were snatched from the nest by an eagle. Today, only the strongest survive. No human intervention, Nature gives and Nature takes away.
This is a cynical comment for sure …….mostly bcse I am mad at mother nature right now……….BUT why don’t we get that lady that shimmied up the flagpole to tear down the confederate flag, to shimmy up this pole and rescue peewee? She’d be doing something constructive for a change! Sorry to anyone if offended.
Crying…so sad
This is the end of little Pee Wee..they are ripping at his head & he is screaming..
I am not sure if pee wee is alive, and if so, if he/she could be saved at this point.
I think he is dead now? What will they do with him? He may have made it if not for his siblings. omg…they won’t eat him will they?
I agree.
Try watching, “Bella Hummingbird” web cam for a while. This site is too hard to watch the outcome. Be back later, folks.
I have watched birds for many decades and have photographed them in their nest for the past 30 years. NEVER have I seen such cruelty. They may be wild creatures but no one should let any creature, great or small suffer like this. NO ONE. If it were a dog or a cat people would be screaming from the rooftops. Just don’t understand the reasoning here.
I do so much agree with you. This is not normal.
My heart is broken that poor baby ????❤️
Well George cam with a fish.. The little on has tried to get to the Morher .he is almost to her but the bigger one is on top of him.. He can’t seem to get out from under the big one.. Still can’t believe he is still alive.. He keeps looking at his Morher opens his mouth every once in a while, but I don’t lhink that the Mother can see him…What a strong little guy…
This is brutal…i wish the little guy would pass, so as not to suffer any longer.
AMEN! I don’t know how much more he/she can stand. He/she will be scarred for life, if he/she does survive. But I seriously doubt it 🙁
u guys, dont throw the towel in yet, so to speak, if he makes it through this, which, i think he will, he is gonna be so much smarter & stronger, it is very brutal to watch, i been watching the bald eagle cams for like 8 yrs now, & it dont get no easier to watch this, this is their world not ours, we just get to peek in, there is nothing we can do, i think he will make it, i am gonna make a bet with myself for another new pandora charm for my bracelet, & i will be ordering a new charm, cuz, this lil guy is gonna pull through!!!!!!!
alright, george come through with a big ole fish!!!!! YEH!!!!!!
I agree with you, this is so sad to watch.
I don’t think #3 will make it till tomorrow.
RIP Pee wee 🙁
Would moderator know of this behavior? I know nothing about Ospreys, except that they are beautiful birds!
and yes, we can turn off the cam at our own discretion….
ALmost like watching the bald eagles nest, i have seen this behaviour with the eaglets, yes, it is very hard to watch, do u all remeber big & lil, bald eagles nest in maine, i think 2 yrs ago, how big literally killed lil, it was horrible, oh & the black eagles in africa does the samething, this siblicide, i do not like it either, t is the nature of these majestic birds, hard to watch for sure
If I had to guess, I believe the lack of food is being done on purpose. The young being hungry will then follow with the siblicide.
I believe this as well. Unfortunately I feel that for some reason it might be teaching the other 2 about life and how to handle things if their is no food. I don’t know. I’m terribly upset. If I could have climbed up that 90 foot pole and grabbed that baby, I would have have personally fed it every day and found some awesome haven for it live forever. Today after no food was provided, I wanted to call every fisherman I know out here and be like, “I need fish now and figure out some way to get it in the nest.” Baby #3 will forever be my favorite and it saddens my heart deeply for the little man.
I don’t think that is likely at all. That would jeopardize everyone. The parents are not out to get any of the nestlings killed; they are just going to put their effort into feeding the ones with the best chance of surviving. They are first time parents and are having trouble getting enough fish. Something very bad is happening today in terms of not being able to get fish and all the nestlings are at risk if it isn’t solved.
Actually, feeding the ones with the best change of surviving is not true, they try to feed all the chicks equally, even ospreys try and feed the bigger ones first until they are full and pass out from a food coma and than they feed the small one, but today they only ate one fish all day, they won’t even give the bigger ones a change to survive they are getting bigger and getting a bigger appetite, if the chick dies, George ain’t magically going to get 9 fish a day, like bostonbean said, he’s not getting enough fish if they were getting 9 aday, this wouldn’t be happening, over at the Maine website, osprey steve was getting 9 fish everyday and the little ones never fought and they were only two of them and last year he got about 14 in one day, if george don’t get more than 3 fish a day, the bigger ones won’t survive on just 2 fish, they will start beating eachother up.
Jon,
I have no clue who you are arguing with or what you are arguing about or what point you are trying to make. Obviously they feed the strongest first/more … are you disagreeing? Read the third expert posted above. Obviously this was a bad fishing day for some reason … and feeding 3 nestlings is difficult. So we agree …
Or are you disagreeing, not about their behavior, but about their conscious intent … disagreeing based on what you think they are trying to to do? If you mean that with plentiful food, they will feed all the chicks, I agree. If you mean, as you say, that they feed the biggest first, I agree. I don’t follow your speculations on George at all … I don’t know ahat point you are trying to make, but to the extent that I understand each phrase don’t see that your comments are related to or contrary to my comments in any way …
I doubt its that.
The same thing crossed my mind.
Someone posted earlier that the fishing conditions are bad, the water is filthy and murky from the recent bad weather, making it hard for George or Gracie to fish. So, it may not have anything to do with the parents not providing, sometimes the weather plays a part in limiting food availability. This is just so horrible to watch!
Wow, I will be surprised if the runt makes through the day. 🙁
maybe to see the strong survive is hard.someday we may have to learn this lession.
5:20pm & still no fish..I don’t understand why it just seems strange.. Why would he just stop getting the fish? Yesterday was such a good day to see them both feed that baby & each other…I through that the baby would have a chance after that..
But now I can’t believe that baby is still alive…The two older ones are now trying to pull the baby apart…
So how about someone putting $10 worth of bunker in a basket or something similar? If the little one isn’t going to be rescued, and at this point unfortunately there is no point, at least to stop all that screeching!!
It’s so hard to watch the two older one beat up on the little one. Reminds me of my three sons. Little one always tormented! I hope Pee Wee makes it.
There is no hope for our little one. I hope his sufferings will end soon. This is not a bird family in harmony.
I did not think I would feel this way, but I am horrified. Look what the larger chicks did to the little one. I do think a ” rescue ” is in order. I understand everyone’s point of view however I cant help feeling this is cruel. I was crying, and I do not cry easily.
Now they are all picking on each other, even the big ones. Hungry beyond belief, but I wish we could know what’s up with the nest? Does anyone ever go out there on the beach and look up and take a peek as to what’s going on?
Still no fish all day today. So many fish every other day, don’t understand why this is happening? And sadly, seems like this will soon be the end for the little guy – he is being beaten up relentlessly – maybe because lack of food today.
I don’t think the little guy is going to make it….his head is bald from so many pecks on it….I think I saw a little red on his head…. Poor little runt….
I think the little guy is dead from this last beating by his two bully brothers. So so cruel!!!
Heartbreaking! Poor bald pee wee…you are in my prayers.
Ok so No fish that i have seen today. Why aren’t the parents out fishing to feed this family. I have never seen a parent just do nothing when there is a family to feed.
And that poor baby, if the older ones would leave it alone instead of beating up on it just for moving around. Something good has to happen for this family.
My heart goes out to the young osprey in this family.
For those voicing directions to rescue the baby, and telling Paul he has to do something. Turn it off, it’s easy, if it’s too much for you, it’s not right to harrass (bully even) the person who makes this viewing possible. I’m only suggesting what I have to do myself. Because Paul put this platform up, does not equate to him being personally responsible for the behaviors of the inhabitants of the nest, or be expected to intervene. It’s one more nest for the osprey who are multiplying and actually challenging one another over nest space. As much as we hate it, this is natural behavior that’s been observed on many other osprey cams. If you can’t bear to watch, I get it, but read, reread, and reread the posting from Cornell at the top of the page, and then tune it out if need be.
I did read it and they say not to intervene yet they helped a chick at hellsgate get untangled from some line and even brought a bucket truck up there, that makes zero sense to me, this probably happens on osprey nests that we are unaware of and the chick most likely dies because the mom or father can’t help it get untangled and it starves, so what’s the difference.
That says it all – well put.
Glad to see the cam is back – and I am wondering if there’s something going on that might be interfering with their fishing – a waterfront festival or regatta or something that is keeping George away from the places he normally finds fish. Thanks in advance for any insight folks in the area can provide.
It’s 4:07pm, and I still haven’t seen a scrap of food all day! What’s George been doing? It has been a nightmare for the little guy!
It seems like the two bullies are fighting over who gets to finally kill the little runt.
So, there hasn’t been any fish today? Even the bullies look weak. I can only imagine how extremely weak the little runt is. And, still, that bully keeps pecking him. Sad….
Don’t think baby is going to make it with all that torture he’s getting from his siblings
Bullying is normal but it’s not extreme beatings he’s taking otherwise, he’d be dead right now and chicks wouldn’t eat a osprey if they were hungry.
You can interfere and save that baby bird if you wanted to!
They have had No food today that i have seen. What is wrong with this family. I have never seen a parent not out getting fish or food.
That poor baby is getting the worse end of the deal. don’t tell me if its suppose to live it will and if not that’s the way it is. It’s hard to live when your tiny and you have 2 bigger ones beating up on you just for moving around your body.
The runt needs rescuing…
so i have been watching before they were named george and gracie and before the eggs hatched. so i am very sad to see how albert (that’s what i have named him) isn’t growing and how sasha and shane (yes those are the other two) are going to eat him….. 🙁
oh how mother nature is so brutal. george…go get him a damn fish!! just for him.