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Bald Eagles Visit Nest
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March 18, 2016 Timelapse
The Summer of 2015 by GinaM
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Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015
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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
First Sighting
George and Gracie's First Baby
Eggs Over Easy
Changing of the Guard
Breakfast is Served
Upgrading
Feeding Time
First Love
Let's Hang Out
Hard to Get
Little Brother
Intruder
Dinner is Served
OspreyZone Montage
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.
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
7:08amEDT–Morning calisthenics ? George dropped in, checked around, moved a stick, did a chest stand, flapped a bit so he didn’t look totally ridiculous and went out…Haven’t seen any fish coming in. Earlier, possibly Gracie dropped down on the right and appeared to feed Trey something, possibly leftovers. Trey still prefers to sleep in the nest.
At 8:30, Trey and Dos are hangin’ out, lobbying for the breakfast cart to wheel in…..
So funny it needed a second look………………………
one more-
Handsome George gorgeous from any angle! Georg-e-ous !!
You are so clever – Gracie-ous and now Georg-e-ous!!:)
George was doing some rearranging and was trying some Olympics. He hung there for a few seconds before getting his bearings.I almost thought it was going to be man overboard.
Me, too! I was LMAO !! A bit on the edge for nest cup practice…maybe he’s been on his i-phone watching those daredevils who try to take pictures in those crazy, scary places and he wanted to show them how it’s done!!!!!
Hi All,
Did anyone else see George topple over at 7:08? It was very funny.
Can’t wait to hear CarolV’s comments on that one!
I wonder if today is the day one of the kids catch their first fish? Sure hope so!
Have a great day all!
I was hysterical!!! Took so many pictures and am saving them all!!!!! Maybe he’s thinking being a duck would be easier; that’s a normal view of a duck in water
Good Fri morning all. About 7:08-7:09 am George made me laugh and spit my coffee out. Look back and you will laugh also. Stick moving on right side of nest proved testy for Geo! Glad he recovered. Didn’t laugh until he was okay.
Saw it…laughed…no coffee involved…………never know what these crazy birds are up to!!! And I keep telling him he need more additions on the LEFT
The flash of one lightning bolt was so big it lit up the nest.
https://youtu.be/9UwVXsIKGiQ
Good one…saw it out of the corner of my eye but wasn’t sure and never went back to check
CarolV: I thought I saw Andy on the sidewalk about a block away at about 9:30 pm when I was coming home after picking up my mom from a day trip. I stopped the car but of course by the time I jumped out he had bolted. I went back to look for him and while I was out there was lightning … when I got back home I wanted to see if there was lightning in East Marion and I saw this on the video!! Almost missed it … it was 12 MN when I came back in!! But still no Andy 🙁
8-12-16 Reply- Betsy I saw June C pics,but wow video is great.
rjoneal: Thank you.
George brought a ….?
George brought a Medusa wig….
😀 😀
That made me laugh and spit out my coffee!!
Hellooooo … is anybody in there?
8-12-16 Awesome pic and caption!
That’s chick #1, BTW. Chick #3 is getting fed by Gracie and chick #2 is lying down.
Matching video!! Watch chick #3 (getting fed by Gracie) almost flip over in the wind!!
https://youtu.be/zm0y1OCuy4k
You all make me laugh with your photos and comments Thank you!
You’re welcome!!
Chick #1 must have thought chick #3 was a helipad!!
https://youtu.be/-wbmslTZPG0
Not even a “Pardon me”? How Rude!
Chick #2 gets painted
8-12-16 Reply- Good collection of pics you got there Betsy. Looks like SILLY STRING right?
I remember Silly String!! 😀
My son posted a frequent sight when he is out on the fishing boat………….balloons…………….he saw 5 within an hour today. He’s helping to spread the word about the dangers to aquatic life. Many positive responses, as more people become aware of the problem. I put in a comment pointing out the hazards to birdlife as well.
Hope this doesn’t turn out huge…………………
8-12-16 Reply- CarolV sounds like you have raised a good man, and so happy you were able to add dangers to our bird life. Thanks to your son and you tell him it is appreciated!
He has his moments………………
6:23pm-George brings in a lively one, which he lets loose……………
It made a break for it and I thought it was going, but Dos did a good job catching amd holding it and eating well.
Prayers go out to rjoneal pup, Betsy’s cat..? don’t no if ever returned, & CarolV store roof, insured i would guess..
8-12-16 reply Bre & Betsy – Bre thanks for thinking of me an pup recovering nicely. Betsy I am so sorry about Andy I think it is, your cat who is not home yet stay positive.
8-11-16 EVERYONE- As you all know I take a lot pics but this one is an original the captured image of the wings Baby flying into the nest.
Different for sure.
Trey? Practicing her DRACULA in the air???????
8-12-16 Reply- my kind of dracula. heee
Love the wing shot. Keeper for sure!
rjoneal: I love that picture!! Funny!!
Came to the party late today…managed to skim and grab a few pictures. Looks like everyone had something, but no big kumbayah family feast tonight.
At one point, Uno took a fish from Gracie and Trey was ready to move in…………….Why not, it’s been working………………………..
But not this time! Got a good peck and nip for her efforts….she did try a couple of times, anyway, but no go…
CarolV – I saw this yesterday. That little guy is something else….he did try a couple more times. LOL!!
8-11-16 Here is Gracie flying off with her black plastic !
I wish she’d fly away with all that plastic!! lol
As lighting going on all around 3…he sleeps right through it.
Too much
8-12-16 Reply June C – amazing pics you got so glad no one or no animal got hurt. Keep head down baby.
HELEN- the house that was lost to lightning fire- I spoke to a neighbor this a.m. Think she was still in a kind of shock. The house in question was being renovated, with an addition. They had just covered it in new cedar shakes and it was literally a tinder box! The heat of the fire melted some of her siding.!! But no one was hurt, which was the important part.
PS…Lightning struck chimney and threw bricks so far they hit neighbors’ houses.
And kudos to the local fire department for their prompt response
Looks like no show for us tonight……………..FORECAST….High 70s-overcast, muggy- possible t_storms after midnight. Best time for meteors-12-1 am, if it clears. Friday- mid 80s. cloudy/sun mix….
Meteors, I meant
And of course I adore our Family Osprey
Hi Family!, Sorry, I’ve been so busy working..i wanted to say I LOVE our Osprey Crew! Amazing the people on here make the experience what it is today!!
8-12-16 Hi Bre sorry you have been doing all work and no play. Hopefully you can get a chance to watch some of the videos and look at pics. Geo was such a character today with his busyness.in the nest.
Hold on to your tailfeathers…. some rough weather will be blowing through in about an hour. Thank heavens they all know how to fly and can seek shelter should the nest get too wobbly.
Gracie brought a nice size whole fish to the nest at 16:26; all the babies were crying for food! If you see blood on the right side of her breast, it is blood from the fish. It flopped its blood body and she got some of the blood on her. I think she might need some perfume. George delivered a whole fish to the nest around 18:24.
June C: I was not logged on this morning, so I don’t know if our little baby caught her first fish. Sure hope so! They need to learn ASAP. Hope you are correct. We’ll see what others say.
Hi All,
I am really starting to get concerned about the kids being ready to take care of themselves when they leave the nest. I have yet to see any of them bring in their own catch. George and Gracie seem to be holding out as long as they can stand but the chicks are just too spoiled. But after seeing the dates that they left last year I just hope they’ll have enough experience to make it on their own.
I was wondering if anyone knows if they left early last year because hunting was so bad?
It hasn’t been bad this year so maybe they are planning on sticking around longer! We’ll have to see, however I really do think the 2 biggies should be hunting for themselves by now. Wouldn’t it be great if Littlebit was the first to bring in his own fish? I would love to see that!
8-12-16 Reply- Since all the babies last year Ronnie and Sandy were actually born later than our babies this year you just cant compare however, Gracie and the family all left at the time other osprey were leaving too. The specialist say its an individual thing, instinctive and they just know when they are ready to go.
Actually they would not leave early because of the fish kill they will not migrate till they can get enough fish, and they wait till their wings are mature enough,long enough and they will get restlessness when its time to migrate. They may leave the nesting area but per osprey specialist they migrate along the coast so they dont have to worry about long trips without food.
This is what I posted the other day if you want to take a look at it.
Ospreytrax is wonderful Robs page will pull for home page and you can sign up for newsletter and updates so when the birds that he has tagged you can see where they are going and where land and he has so much more with projects and events donations. This site should have all your answers. Enjoy
http://ospreytrax.com/
At approx. 5:09pm –
Wow!! Just saw the little guy get pecked once by #1 (I think that was #1). The little guy was able to get one bite and then kept trying and that’s when #1 pecked him. That little guy is something else! lol He had no choice but to retreat. 🙂
Reply to June c – You are so welcome 🙂 Also I’ve heard there is no tracking of where you go on the internet, which then targets advertising
based on that. Have a wonderful day!
I think B caught his 1st. Fish. Around 9:17. Went to perch and dropped it…am I right?
Sorry Logo not on screen …zoomed in pic. Will not do again
June c: I couldn’t tell if it was one of the chicks, although, it sounded like chick #2!!
I still haven’t really got my eyeballs back after scouring chick #3’s fledge video!! 😀 😀
8:49:20 am EDST – George brings in a fish. Not sure which chick it was that landed in the nest right after him, but he handed off the fish to the chick. The fish was quite lively and the chicks reaction was priceless! 8:49:44 am EDST – the fish took a leap out of the nest. lol
Good picture. I tried to catch the moment you got it!
Hey Fred? Where did it go?!!
Sharon.. I saw it actually happen and was hysterical laughing
Me too………:)
Margaret, I saw it too and was also laughing hysterically!! …although I did feel bad that the chick lost it’s fish. I kept going back and playing it over and over again, hence the delayed post!
Chick #3 regurgitated a pellet
https://youtu.be/wtfkpz1XadQ
I am in stitches this morning watching our brood trying to navigate landing with fish. First one goes overboard. Then, a fish just gets dropped into the nest as our baby tries to land. It’s amazing watching them learn.
Fish overboard!
I love George’s expression. 🙂
Like “Hey, that was a lot of hard work”……now you go get it !
8-11-16 Reply- Leanne I got the same pic and titled it( Were did I go wrong, how can you let that fish go, do you know how hard it was to catch that one.) Geo’s face is priceless, like really are you scared of a fish?
Poor Geo he is tired of getting attacked so now he is just dropping the fish and this is what happens. I tell you this year they have lost more fish overboard than last year and any nest I know of. Yes it usually happens a time or two but golly I think this is about the 5 fish over the nest, yes once was Gracie.
Thanks for posting Leanne.
Love the photo! Thanks.
8-11-16 Reply- Dawn good pic I got several but didn’t get one like this were the fish is exactly positioned how it would be if it were swimming in the ocean. Excellent moment to catch.
George looks like any parent when they work hard for the kids and the kids just don’t appreciate the efforts! OOpppsss….Dad, can you get another one?
At 8:43 this morning trey took uff in his usual way by lifting off and flying counterclockwise over the water and back to the nest. He did not land on it but flew above and must have tried to lite on the camera because it shook. I am still looking for the 4 flight instruction he recieved to see if his teacher was uno.
Just checked back and it was one year ago today Ronnie and Sandy got their names. How time flies.Wonder what this trio will called? Again thank you to everyone for this great experience.
8-11-16 reply- Isobel I know how it feels when I had to go throw the pics of Ronnie and Sandy to send to Betsy to make portrait for CarolV and all to enjoy I ended going down memory lane and cant believe that was a year ago. I am so glad you are still with us again this year and I just know you will back next season too. Love our Osprey Family and Followers!
Wow what wind and heavy wind blown rain last nite. Little stayed on nest alone last nite (such a brave bird and was trying to eat an abandoned fish) but all looks well on nest but not much activity til at least 7:40 am Thurs. Even Gracie acted very alarmed by the last nite storm.
It was verified that a tornado did touch down in the Mattituck-Cutchogue area. I work in Cutchogue. Closer than I thought yesterday…………………..scary..no damage reported beyond trees, thankfully, so far
I had heard touch down was also in Sag Harbor – did not hear about Mattituck-Cutchogue. Southold lost an entire house by a lightning strike. Glad our little family got through it safely.
George stopped in earlier, surveyed the living space, then went shopping.
Just realized that stick went to build up the right veranda….wrong way George! Need extra sq. footage to the left!
LynD..Thank You for the heads up on puffin.com..I like it because you can play back the 4 hours.
on the iPad
6:22am- Good morning, osprey lovers! No one home to greet us…………Trey flew out earlier. I heard someone, probably Gracie, on the perch. Uno stopped in.
Trey saying good morning
Uno checking on breakfast service
8/10. Looking back around 7:30 – 8:00 pm, looks like all 5 soprey are in the nest & eating. Nice family dinner.
George brought a fish at 2:55 pm which chick #2 was quick to pounce on, almost flipping over with the wind in her/his eagerness to grab it. Eventually, chick #2 was done and flew away and chick #3 who had been standing by in the heavy rain, hollering to eat, moved over to the abandoned fish and started eating. About 45 minutes later Gracie hopped down from the perch to join chick #3. And then about 20 minutes later chick #2 was back.
Osprey version of flipping you the bird!!!!! 😀 😀 😀
LOL!!
8-11-16 Reply- Betsy and Karen I agree made me laugh!
a Moon over East Marion………….
Aug 10th at 19:50 …. amazing!!! 3 fish at the homestead all at once. Our fishmonger George is some fisherman. The frequency bringing in the bacon is like a Blitz. I am wondering how much he weighs and how much his trophy fish did weigh.. I also wonder if he has a favorite “fishing pole”. What a difference a year makes.
I really should be working at my desk, but this is hypnotic. I chuckle when all FIVE are at the dwelling. Nothing but feathers.
…..and: when will the “name-calling” happen.??????? I thought right after all had fledged. No?
Those portraits are precious. I should print them out and hang them with the rest of the ROGUES-FAMILY on my wall.
I thank the person who last year gave me this link. Much better for the soul than stupid TV.
With this wind blowing, my computer screen is actually vibrating, hang in there kids. .
Forecast—High 70s overnight; overcst. Tomorrow low-mid 80s, sticky, overcast, possible t-storm late morning……………………………………we’llsee
8-10-16 reply – Lyn D next time I have problem on Ipad I will try thank. s
TO ANYONE WITH STREAMING PROBLEMS &/OR IPHONE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITE:
Download Puffin.com browser, either on your laptop or phone, and you won’t have any problems or issues.
Yeah to the bird!
8-10-16 Robin – Here is the all the info you need, I asked Betsy to forward earlier but probably has not posted since I was not at home, here it is. Ospreytrax is wonderful Robs page will pull for home page and you can sign up for newsletter and updates so when the birds that he has tagged you can see where they are going and where land and he has so much more with projects and events donations. This site should have all your answers. Enjoy
http://ospreytrax.com/
rjoneal – Thank you for passing along the link – I read it and have a deep respect for Rob and everyone who studies birds. I wish I could do the same. Just wish they could come up with a better design for the transmitters – so they could be free any material installed on them – I wonder how long the transmitters last versus the frequency of problems encountered by the birds. I do enjoy hearing where they’ve been and understand we would never know these things without research.
8-11-16 Reply- Robin welcome 🙂 🙂
8-10-16 Reply Gina M –
It wasn’t the same picture that Betsy made portraits of that I posted to you just FYI. ?
Tornados; monsoons; t-storms……….nothing stops our deliveries….another family feast; another successful day in Ospreyland
Mom was missing..
Hello Osprey Family!!
So, have the ‘babies’ been catching their own fish yet?
LEESA- Would help you if I could, but I’m still in kindergarten technology-wise…………..I may have said this-my smart phone drops 50 IQ pts. in my hands.
Thanks to those who get my humor….laughter keeps my world sane, but people don’t always see my view..
KATHLEEN..How’s my red-headed child? There are no steps- allowed in my family…
MIKE MARTIN- Thesis done yet? School year almost over..TICK-TOCK
BETSY- if you ever go on Jeopardy…don’t pick the category to match slogans to products!
My smartphone thinks it’s smarter than me.
Got it CarolV!!
Hi Carol – Are you a Hen keeping a check on your chicks? Thanks for your post. I certainly feel like a member of the family!
MIKE M …………… Realize you have all winter to get your project done….Guess the site will stay up again?
Carol
My thesis now rivals War and Peace. I was curious as to why they just pick up on day and Migrate. I thought maybe it was a celestial or atmospheric occurrence. I have even sent NASA an E-Mail if they could provide me with Solar Activity for last years migration. I’ll keep the Group updated
Also I stayed up till 4:00am to watch The Perseids to many clouds
Thanks All
Mike
Meg: There was no reply button to your August 10, 2016 at 6:16 pm post re: chick #3’s fledge (“Someone posted it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVeoFghjP9c) so I’m posting it as a new comment.
I posted that video!! 😀 😀 But see how choppy it is?
Several of us were wondering if OZ had a better copy without the jumping and Aidan replied “Aidan August 9, 2016 at 10:38 am Hi, apologies for not responding previously! We will try to find it as soon as possible, although I’m not sure if we’ll have much better footage. Sometimes, the stuttering happens between us and the camera, before we even send it out to the stream. If we do have good footage, we’ll post it.”
So, that kind of leaves us in limbo … have they not had a chance to look for that video segment and/or post it or was their video just as choppy as we saw!! So I offered to assist in looking for it!! 😀
Is there terrier in your family line? I admire your persistence!
CarolV: 😀
8-10-16 Betsy- give her the ospreytrax email we got from Rob and I forward to you at the beginning or middle of summer I think it has all info on there I think I remember reading it. She can sign up to get emails on all the tracking migrate Ospreys and newsletters from Rob. I think the last update was about a month ago.
If you have it I have at home but not on my I Phone.
Thanks in advance
8-10-16 Betsy I sent it her already got home earlier than I thought. I saw all your Pbbllbbllbbllppptt!! 🙂
😀 😀
I’ve been having problems good portion of the day after I installed Windows 10 Anniversary update!! Messed up everything on laptop … don’t know about OspreyTrax (what you asked) working my way down comments but I keep losing internet connection!!
8-10-16 Betsy your right it’s Paula.
Sorry Paula but hey CarolV you can join in.
So use to CarolV and all her magic words. That make me laugh.
Rjoneal: Thought I might need glasses again!!
My ooohhhhmmming still hasn’t brought rain to my side of the island. Too tired to do anything after work tonight…so I’m oohhhming for the 30-40% possibility of a storm tonight…..plants will have to go thirsty till morning.
The weather event that was not on my weather app so it was all in my imagination———-I was at work-west of nest about 25 mins. About 15 mins. west of this, there was a possible tornado touch down; waiting to hear more on that. I drove north of that area, but nothing was apparent. There was a lot of LOUD thunder and multiple, multiple lightning visible. It rained so hard it was deafening. A small section of the roof at the back of our store caved in. By the time I left, it had stopped raining, but I had to wade thru a 6-8″ puddle to get to my SUV; high enough I hadn’t gone out during storm to move it. And when I got home to the South Fork, it hadn’t even rained! My plants are bone dry and in need of watering…how is that fair???
Anyhow, here’s the nest with the best that I could get. Practical birds worked on fish at times. White specks, if you can see them, are sideways rain.
So glad you’re are alright. Could’ve been bad!
The same thing happens to me all the time. I don’t get a drop of rain and my husband who works 6 miles away says it poured at work. What really irks me is when I water the plants and fill the birdbaths and then it rains. Almost makes me want to give up, almost.
TY
Response to RJONEAL
I have missed so many posts- I feel terrible about it. Thank you for posting the picture that Betsy posted of Ronnie and Sandy on the reply you gave to my post. I would have missed it!
To respond to what you said there, I feel the same way… getting that bittersweet feeling again.
GinaM: I know exactly how that is!! The last time I really read all of the posts was on July 11th!! I saw you had one post with a link that I haven’t looked at yet. I’m going to be replying to people in the dead of winter I think!! I’ve been trying but I can never seem to “catch up”!!:D 😀 😀
So, I’m sorry everyone if I seem rude at times!!
BETSY – You’re never rude. I pose most of my questions to you because you always respond to them. Yesterday I felt guilty about that so I asked the entire Osprey Family. No one answered my question. LOL!!
btw, my question was – Did all the ‘babies’ start fishing on their own?! 🙂
Monica: I think yesterday one of the chicks caught his/her own fish (I think it was one of the chicks. And I haven’t seen any chick fly onto the nest carrying a fish yet) but dropped it onto the nest;then Gracie jumped down to take control!!
Tornado Warning. That’s a rarity. Hope all stays well in the nest.
Hello,
I originally thought that the spots on the lens were stuck fish scales but I no longer do because several very strong goes with the magic washer didn’t get it and now very heavy rain with quite high winds and it’s still there. I don’t think it’s ever going away!
Paula: It’s the result of #3’s “poop” … I’m wondering if there’s acid in osprey “poop” and it “etched” the lens glass!! 😀 😀
Betsy,
I was wondering the same thing, that the lens is etched.
A few years ago, I had bird poop on my car and I didn’t wash it off right away and it ate through the clear coat on my car. So I guess it’s possible!
I sure hope not because it’s quite annoying and it could be expensive to fix.
maybe something sticky?
In the wee hours of early morning, I keep seeing the sun sparkle off of spider webs, so I think that blob is spider created.
8-10-16 Reply CarolV I just read your comment I think it’s funny you call Betsy’s and my relationship (all of our busy ness. ) I call it a roller coaster ride in a nice way of course. I don’t want to know what she calls it, don’t reply to that Betsy. Hugs to Both of you ! ?
Rjoneal: Pbbllbbllbbllppptt!! … at times!! 😀 😀 😀
Sorry, Rjoneal, I was referring to you and your renos and hurt puppy; and Betsy and all her “busy”-ness…I’ve been afraid to ask about her missing cat.Betsy? I know you guys are fine…family fight, right?
I still haven’t found my Andy … beside me his siblings Brady and Sally really miss him!! — Yes they do, Bob!! 🙂
8-10-16 Reply Micheal Martin – You are welcome and I am glad you got the info. I hope you saw my motivation comment to you also days back but if you didn’t I basically said chin up stay positive we are all here routing for you and we know whatever the project is it will be successful. Happy thoughts and only good positive vibes going out to you. Now go fly and soar like our birds back to work. 🙂
RJ
Don’t need Motivation or a Chin-Up for that Matter, That’s why I have a Wife
Thanks Anyway
Mike
8-12-16 Reply Micheal G. Martin- WOW really? Per your own words that you posted below on 8-4-2016 ( It had gotten so frustrating that I had to walk away for a little while ) Is the reason I was trying to be nice even if several others and I have had to repeatedly re-send the same info over and over. My husband and I think your comments was rude and no comments to me in the future.
____________________
Michael G. Martin August 4, 2016 at 10:17 pm – Reply
Bre
I’m still crunching the numbers. To be honest trying to fit that Round Peg into a Square Hole. No matter home much Research I do and when my Theory might work Mother Nature throws me a Curve Ball. It had gotten so frustrating that I had to walk away for a little while
But I haven’t abandoned the Project.Im waiting to hear from a Project in the U.K.
Hopefully in a week or so, and I’ll be in touch
Thanks for asking
Mike
RJ
Thank-You for the info. In the future lets keep the Replies to my Comments on a
Friendly and as Informal as at all possible
Thank-You
Mike
JUST DO IT is NIKE slogan….
Oh!!! 😀 😀 😀 I knew it was some sneaker company!! 😀
8-10-16 ALL 3 BABIES IN THE NEST-
I have to get as many pics of all 3 together since soon it will be harder and harder to see them all 3 in nest at the same time. The babies are young adults now very spoiled ones at that. Still having George and Gracie fish for them and feed them for goodness sakes. Gracie and George need to start cutting back on the fish so these babies will learn to fish for themselves.
It was only about 1 week after Sandy and Ronnie fledged they were fishing on their own and defiantly eating on their own. Do not get me wrong if fish was offered they would take from Gracie or George but they actually liked to eat the fish on their own. They were very aggressive eaters not like these siblings. It maybe due to such a shortage of fish while they were growing up or just their instinct. You think you see poor George getting his claws and legs hurt with the 3 babies now that is nothing compared to what he endured last year with Sandy and Ronnie even Gracie. George and Gracie brought in at least 1 or 2 fish a day and would leave in the nest if they weren’t there but usually you could hear Ronnie’s screams as he saw fish flying to the nest so was he. Then poor Sandy had a softer scream to her. For the most part they were hanging out in trees probably and when they saw George or Gracie go to the nest they were on the way to the nest as well.
As soon as Gracie confirms that the 3 babies can fish and eat for themselves which they can she should start backing off away from being in the nest this is what she did last year. George will start taking over all the duties slowly including being in the nest and on the perch so Gracie can go off. Then as Gracie sees George taking care of the babies and the nest she will be preparing to migrate she left around 18 days before George left with Sandy to migrate last year. My guess is she will be gone by the end of this month probably the last week of August. We cant really go by dates from last year since the babies last year were born much later than our babies this year.
I also might note Gracie migrated right before a big hurricane and we knew she was well out of danger but we were all so worried for George and Sandy since it was believed they might take the path going right into the hurricane. This is another reason why the first sighting of George and Gracie made some of us cry for joy. We would like to think since George made it back with Gracie that means Sandy made it to her migration point. There is no way of knowing but thats what we would like to think.
Aidan: When and if you ever do the project you and Paul have planned you must include this morning from around 5:50 am to around 6:05 am. The sky was magical looking and the chicks were flying about in front and around the nest. I missed getting it on video and I am kicking myself!!
The sky went from blue to the pink. It was amazing!!
Not just the sky … everything went from blue to pink!!
P.S. Have you had a chance and/or any luck finding the video segment from August 5th at 1314 hrs?? Want me to look?? 😀 😀
Someone posted it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVeoFghjP9c
8-10-16 Betsy, AWESOME NEEDS TO BE IN A NATURE SCENERY !
Thank you rjoneal!!
As our second osprey season winds down, I’d like to genuinely thank the usual suspects who keep viewers up to date with pics & humorous commentary. It is so very much appreciated ! And to all LI residents ; please pay mind to recycling, not littering and overuse of lawn chemicals. We need to preserve our natural surroundings and protect all wildlife.
Just being sentimental… I think George is seeking extra attention from Gracie now because he knows she will leave first and they won’t see each other until next April. I know I totally humanize these beautiful birds, but I can’t help it.
Last night it was just #3 and Gracie. Gracie was on the perch. #3 was trying to finish off the tail of a fish and kept helicoptering in the breeze. He would take off and Gracie would do that little “come back to the nest” call, very softly. #3 would return, and then take off again, and Gracie called him back again. #3 didn’t fly far and finally came back for the evening assuming his favorite chicken-roosting-eggs position.
There is nothing wrong with anthropomorphizing (as you described it “humanizing”) these birds as long as you keep your perspective such that you recognize that they are not humans and many of the attributes we ascribe to them are only our own perceptions and not necessarily reality. On the other hand, when we observe some human behavior we certainly have to recognize our own terrible behaviors toward one another. The birds have an excuse. They are behaving as nature plans. Humans have no excuse for some of their horrible behavior. I think it is nice how many folks have taken these birds to heart. What could be bad about that?
8-10-16 Reply -Bob always trying to keep real, I like how you state the facts,but realize how we can get attached and humanize I do and I know better to a certain point.
The Osprey by my house live with me and I dont feel as close to them as I do my G&G family.
Glad you mentioned how the birds are just doing their thing us humans need to remember not to be so horrible to each other.
If it makes your heart happy than what is bad with that.
Also like that CarolV stated you were making her want a be vegetarian, I do not think she agrees on some of your post on animals and that is ok we dont have to agree just be opened minded.
PICTURE IS SANDY AND RONNIE 2015
8-10-16 Reply -Gina I agree, I think George knows its almost time for her to leave and the daddy duties are the most important to make sure all 3 babies fly off to migrate.
But as he is waiting for that instinctive wind or smell that tells them its time he still has a lot to do around the nest. Mostly keeps these babies from laying around and get out there and master their craft of fishing. I just posted a statement under the pic of all 3 babies,ok its a book practically but I have not had time to make very many post lately. I am trying to enjoy it all but the anxiety of them leaving soon makes me sad and happy at the same time its always such a roller-coaster with nature and especially our birds.
The minute they all leave I will be counting down the days to see Gracie and Georges Return. At least I hope Paul and Tommy along with all the rest who make this happens continues to give us this beautiful family to watch and learn from.
What did you think about Betsy making that nice portrait of Sandy and Ronny? Brought back some memories from last year huh!
FORGET TO PUT WHO’S- WHO IN RONNIE AND SANDY’S PIC FROM 2015
RONNIE ON RIGHT SIDE PERCHED ON HIS STICK HE LOVED AND SANDY LEFT, SHE LIKED TO LAY DOWN JUST LIKE OUR BB3 AND BB1
Thank you Rjoneal for the lovely portrait of Sandy and Ronnie, which indeed brings back memories of last year.
8-11-16 Reply – Elaine you are welcome, I know it was hard to pick out just one to post and going through all the pics I have of them made me miss them even more.
The odds were so against any of them fledgling with so many disasters they had to face and it was G&G s first babies, amazing how Gracie knew to ration the fish even to George.
I am just so glad G&G made it back home this year and will be counting the days after they migrate till they come back next year.
Hi All,
Just an observation- I was watching the nest yesterday afternoon and everyone was there eating and George was whining to Gracie to be fed and she was feeding him as well as feeding #2. After a while Gracie couldn’t take it anymore and took off but then George took over feeding #2. My point – and I really do have one- is that it just amazes me that such a loving couple and parents just let the kids go off on their own and leave each other as well, until next year. The quirks of nature, I guess.
Have a great day!
According to unitarium.com nautical twilight is at 04:48:50, civil twilight is at 05:25:24 and sunrise is at 05:55:15 (I didn’t do astronomical twilight, which was at 04:09:13, because it didn’t look like anything to me!!)
Our baby is learning. 7:35. George brought fish….Trey took away and tried starting to feed for 10 min until he finally got the head started and fish stopped flapping.
Hi Kathy B.
That was #2 AKA Dos who got the fish from George this morning. As of 9;50 I haven’t seen Littlebit get anything to eat, but he has been off the nest a lot so maybe dining out this morning!
Sorry,
I was wrong too. Went back and looked again and it was #1 AKA Uno who got the first fish from George this morning. Becoming quite difficult to identify our babies now!
The are having a storm . Is that a plastic bag they used for nesting material people really need to stop littering The two Charlo chicks fledged today I think those were the last two Osprey nesting season coming to a close in the US time to say goodbye to Mommy
We’re getting showers right now on the South Fork. Somehow, the forecast has changed since last night. We do need the rain. Looks like 50/50% chance of showers for the morning.
If you see forecasts for NYC- that’s not us. We are cooler out here on the East End- thank heaven.! But still muggy and sticky and warm.With possible showers just extended thru afternoon. Looks like this weather sticking around at least thru tomorrow.
8-10-16 Reply- CarolV can you do that meditation thing you do and stop the rain now. I think are babies and Poor Gracie,and lets not forget Geo have had enough for the day. Sure would be nice to lay down in a dry nest. You do the the magic words and I will do the body language ok all together now 1, 2, 3 go!
Nice pics today.
rjoneal: I think you mean Paula!! … when she wanted the lens cleaner to work!!
(Paula August 4, 2016 at 8:12 pm OOHHMMM, OOHHMMM … OH MAGIC LENS CLEANER, PLEASE CLEAN LITTLEBIT’S @#%T OF THE LENS! …OOHHMMM, OOHHMMM … I’m using my powers of persuasion! … ” 😀 😀
Yeah, R. that was Paula..If I could OOHHMMMM the weather, I would have had some of that rain that fell on the North Fork,where I was working and wading to my car, fall over here at my house, so I didn’t have to water the %&***(=$ plants!
Trey is up and complaining. Forgot to shut down the computer, so woke to the “soft” tones of her asking for breakfast.
Betsy, just loved the sibling portrait of Sandy and Ronnie! And, the blue matted pics of our three chicks this year. We have to start a family (osprey) tree! I hope they are doing well and will return to this area next year.
CarolV, loved your comment to Bob about some of us becoming vegetarians because of his comment. You really missed your calling (stand-up comedian). Maybe then you’d have more time to watch OZ and not go to work, haha.
Thank you Marlene!!
Thanks…..
8-9-16 All Osprey Followers –
Here is a picture of one of the things that makes our Osprey specialist Rob say our nest is an unusual one, he witnessed last year and it has happened a couple of times this year too. George gets in line to be feed by Gracie while she is feeding baby 2.
Looks like fish Jerky for dinner with all the fish brought in..some drying,lying around to long,in heat. George comes to clean the nest before night time, don’t need any VF, while his
baby sleeps 😉
Bre: That’s funny!!
ABOUT 7:05pm EDT……….George has been trying very hard to get Gracie to feed him. He was doing air-snaps toward every mouthful she took. The big two drop back in, and Gracie started feeding to the right, so I figured it was no go for George. But persistence paid off and she fed him, too. SO CUTE!
He had come in with seaweed, so he was working hard.
Meanwhile, Trey has been steadily stuffing herself with all the coming and going around her…”I will be a Biggie. I will!”
6:26pm- George brought in another one of those fish he lost last night. THIS time, it’s lost under the plastic in the right corner. George leaves and the plastic has a life of its own.! If you can, catch the “Plastic dance around 6:35 or so.
CarolV: It looked to me like chick #1 grabbed the fish and later the wind was just blowing the plastic!! 😀
TO ANYONE WITH STREAMING PROBLEMS &/OR IPHONE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITE:
Download Puffin.com browser, either on your laptop or phone, and you won’t have any problems or issues.
Yeah to the bird!
LynD: I went to the website. Looks to me like it’s only for mobile devices and ipads, not PCs. 🙂
Thanks for clarifying that Betsy. Of course AFTER pressing the “send” button, I realized my mistake. Puffin does work great though on mobile devices.
I always do that, too!! That’s why OZ needs an edit button!! 🙂
6:05pm………Gracie brings one in. Fish all around! Uno will get her mom to feed her, I’m sure!
FORECAST- – Currently in the low 80s…mid to low 70s overnight-clear/-Wednesday- increasing overcast starting early a.m.-increasing humidity-low to mid- 80s”’possible t-storm late p.m.
4:58pm- George let’s it loose for Dos to catch…
Hungry Uno making a failed challenge
George brings back-up..even headless, it’s huge! Uno’s turn……………..
Trey winds up with Uno’s fish. I think the Big Kid would rather still be fed…………….