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An Intro to OspreyZone

The Story of DDT

Osprey Rescue

2020 Clips

Bald Eagles Visit Nest

Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020

OspreyZone Highlights: May 15-20, 2020 - The Intruder

OspreyZone Highlights: May 7th-14th, 2020

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OspreyZone Yankee

March 18, 2016 Timelapse

The Summer of 2015 by GinaM

Osprey Rescue Extended - July 30, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 19, 2015

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.

Click HERE for more information!

IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts

Rob Bierregaard July 1, 2015 at 7:24 am
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.

4818eecc88292926c58414a82c884c71Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.

Reprinted with the permission of John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Hello Paul,

Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.

Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.

I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.

Best wishes, and good luck,

John W. Fitzpatrick

Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In addition, Charles Eldermire, Bird Cams Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Writes:

It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.

Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.

charles.

*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Paul,

I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.

Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com

“Interesting. They don’t often take over osprey poles—probably too small for them. They will coopt tree nests, which they can expand. We had a pair of eagles do this on the Vineyard. They built up the Osprey nest a lot and then the Ospreys came home and drove the eagles away, in a David v. Goliath story. The Ospreys successfully bred. They looked tiny in the nest, which sadly blew down this winter.”

    Leave A Comment

    52,629 Comments

    1. Monica July 23, 2017 at 4:26 pm - Reply

      Hello everyone!!

      I’ve been away for a few days and just didn’t have the opportunity to check on our family.

      Wow!! I can’t believe how big the chicks have gotten!!

      So, are there any interesting ‘news’ to share?

    2. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 3:16 pm - Reply

      @15:09 Looks like another fish in…..Some commotion….George wandered thru….and Brownie has what looks like a gill plate. Good luck with that, baby!

    3. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 2:36 pm - Reply

      Excitement and a rush to the porch must mean fish is in…………..

      There was a very brief glimpse of a fishy body along the right edge.

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 3:20 pm - Reply

        Blondie had remains of fish. Optimistic Brownie thought she was gonna share……hahahahaha

    4. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 2:24 pm - Reply

      Was away from computer and glanced back to see this……..

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 2:27 pm - Reply

        Went back to see arrival…..

        • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 2:32 pm - Reply

          George stopped by to move sticks….and goggles

        • Redkayak July 24, 2017 at 3:48 pm - Reply

          that’s amazing. LOL

    5. Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:55 pm - Reply

      Gracie brings a pair of goggles — for those windy days to protect their eyes!! 😀 😀

    6. Elaine July 23, 2017 at 1:46 pm - Reply

      I cannot believe how clever George is. Looks like he brings a pair of water goggles to the nest.

    7. Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:00 pm - Reply

      I’ve been waiting for a shot like this!! 🙂 Chick #1 started winger-sizing and then chick #2 decided it wanted to winger-size, too!! 😀 Chick #2 is closest to the camera.

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:11 pm - Reply

        I think Gracie and George are trying to encourage the chicks to fledge. For the past couple of days, it seems to me that G&G have been taking off from the perch (or nest) for no other reason than to fly and glide over the water in front of the nest and when they do “run out on an errand” they also swoop and glide and fly around in front of the nest before continuing on their “errand” or returning from it.

        Gracie took off from the perch and glided around in front of the nest before coming back with a piece of wood.

        • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:12 pm - Reply

          Here she is gracefully gliding.

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:23 pm - Reply

        George taking off to get some seaweed

        • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 1:24 pm - Reply

          Here he is gracefully gliding. 😀

    8. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 11:29 am - Reply

      Future Dapper Dan, showing flair with a “scarf”…

      Chicks are squeaking quietly…sounds like….fish, fish, fissssshhh

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 11:31 am - Reply

        Sounds like Gracie upstairs chiming in

    9. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 10:56 am - Reply

      Getting some air!

    10. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 10:24 am - Reply

      PPSSSTTTTTT….M&D–I think peoples are watching again……………..

      A peek of sunshine thru the clouds…..there was some rain overnight and it has cooled down….thankfully!

    11. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:36 am - Reply

      Talking turns wingersizing……they tried tandem but that didn’t work,,,,,,,,,,

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:38 am - Reply

        Brownie’s turn

        And as I usually mention….names are just “nicknames” I use to tell them apart

    12. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:29 am - Reply

      @ 09:23 Gracie’s latest treasure looks like a layer off a piece of plywood….

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:31 am - Reply

        Kids don’t look impressed.
        ………………………………..Where’s the fish?????

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:58 am - Reply

        George brought this in later

    13. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 8:52 am - Reply

      Might be hard to see those 2 brown dots right of center as 2 osprey circling…….

    14. CarolV July 23, 2017 at 8:46 am - Reply

      Always a sucker for a headless osprey pic!

    15. Betsy July 23, 2017 at 8:35 am - Reply

      I love this picture from yesterday. Chick #2, chick #1, and George (L to R) were standing next to each other at the front of the nest looking all around when something down below caught their attention.

      • Bre July 24, 2017 at 6:31 pm - Reply

        AWESOME pic Betsy!!

    16. sera July 23, 2017 at 6:15 am - Reply

      George arrives with a second fish for Gracie ♥

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:22 am - Reply

        Sera: The nest looks so crowded!! 😀 I don’t remember it looking this crowded with 3 chicks last year!! 😀

        • sera July 26, 2017 at 3:46 pm - Reply

          Could it be Betsy, that the chicks are bigger in size this season, compared to last season’s chicks because there is only two and plenty of food.
          ps, loved last season, it was my first season watching George and Gracie ♥

          Gracie watching George come in with a fish.

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:23 am - Reply

        George has seen the demand and races to keep up supply! He’s a super provider…

    17. sera July 23, 2017 at 6:04 am - Reply

      George arrives with fish and starts to feed the ‘kids’ ♥

      • CarolV July 23, 2017 at 9:21 am - Reply

        Really good shot .@05:34….but the face on that fish seems to tell it all.(from its point of view)

    18. sera July 23, 2017 at 5:54 am - Reply

      Gracie is off to chase another bird?

    19. sera July 23, 2017 at 5:52 am - Reply

      George and Gracie’s chicks are beautiful.

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:23 am - Reply

        Sera: Gorgeous chicks!! The picture, too!! 😀

    20. CarolV July 22, 2017 at 9:12 pm - Reply

      There were calls coming from the perch and Nosy was peeking not pancaking…………

      We’ve had a couple of quick showers early this a.m and late afternoon…random and scattered.
      Predictions for rain overnight into early a.m. Sunday. Temps 75 now, dropping to 70 early a.m. and back to high 70s tomorrow. Cloudy with sun breaking thru in afternoon.

    21. CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:58 pm - Reply

      19:24–Both adults on right- looks like another fish being fed to chicks by Gracie

      • CarolV July 22, 2017 at 8:01 pm - Reply

        I think these darker feathers are flight feathers……

    22. CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:49 pm - Reply

      !8:47……Incoming!
      of course, went to the Invisible Zone…

      • CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:50 pm - Reply

        ?Brownie has a whole, live fish!

        • CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:54 pm - Reply

          ?Blondie tried to steal fish, then snuck bites when she couldn’t…………………..please remember chicks names are just nicknames I use

          Gracie was on porch and took over feeding-out of view

          • CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:56 pm - Reply

            Gracie stepping out….chick on right has fishtail

          • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:26 am - Reply

            CarolV: Yes, Brownie (with fish)! And, yes, Blondie, the thief!! 😀

    23. CarolV July 22, 2017 at 7:47 pm - Reply

      16:33……….Somebody got Momma………

    24. Dorothy July 22, 2017 at 6:38 pm - Reply

      Any thought as to when they might fledge? Can’t be soon enough for me since what happened on Hog Island.

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:28 am - Reply

        Dorothy: It should be in the next few days to no more than a week from now.

    25. Michael G. Martin July 22, 2017 at 6:29 pm - Reply

      Hello All You Ospreyphiles

      It shouldn’t be long before our Chicks will start to exercise their wings and start to Helicopter on and around the nest. The Chicks have started to become ver inquisitive and they are starting to investigate all of the ongoings above and below the nest. With that said, has anyone seen any indication that the Chicks are Flapping their wings or Helicoptering.

      My prediction on when they will fledge would be tatter part of this week or the beginning of next week. Let us all hope and pray it will be soon

      Mike

      • June c July 23, 2017 at 9:44 am - Reply

        Hi Mike…should be soon…my guess around July 31st. saw a little fly hop today around 9:30…

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 10:56 am - Reply

        Michael G. Martin: Yes, Mike, the chicks have been winger-sizing and hopping, but no helicoptering yet.

        Chick #2 winger-sizing with a nice hop up!!

        • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 11:34 am - Reply

          And, here’s chick #1!!

    26. Marilyn G July 22, 2017 at 5:14 pm - Reply

      Poor chicks look like the heat is getting to them! Does anyone know how they get water to drink? Just from the fish they eat?

    27. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 12:50 pm - Reply

      Can you see me, now?

    28. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 12:49 pm - Reply

      Chick #2 winger-sizing … I love the shapes their wings make!!

    29. Karen D. July 22, 2017 at 10:16 am - Reply

      This is probably a dumb question. But has anyone seen these two little ones get some goodies lately?? Every time I’ve checked on the nest for the past couple of days, I haven’t seen either George or Gracie feeding their babies.

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:42 am - Reply

        Karen D.: Not a dumb question! George brings fish several times a day, but lately he seems to be bringing it only in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening. I don’t know why that would be, though.

        • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:45 am - Reply

          Let me amend that to mostly in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening!!

      • June c July 23, 2017 at 9:46 am - Reply

        You just must be missing it the chicks are well feed

    30. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 8:47 am - Reply

      I love watching when George or Gracie or the chicks shake out their feathers!! Here is chick #2 shaking out its feathers. That’s George at the front of the nest with what I think is his third catch of the day … hard to really tell because his first visit to the nest this morning was at 5:27+ am and from Gracie’s reaction, with a fish. And, of course, he landed in the no-can-see-anything zone!! But when he flew away he wasn’t clutching a fish. Then he was back at 5:29+ am holding a fish which he left on the nest. The fish flapped about to the front edge of the nest with the chicks watching, but then they ignored it. Then George was back at 6:03+ am with a fish and fed the chicks. Eventually George spotted the ignored fish and retrieved it. He started to feed chick #1, but the chick took the fish to self-feed.

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 9:12 am - Reply

        The fish flapping its way to the front of the nest

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 9:13 am - Reply

        George lost his balance when he tried to get the fish!!

    31. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:21 am - Reply

      I think it was Gracie on the perch. She gave the intruder alarm, the chicks flattened, and then the camera shook as she took off after the intruder …

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:28 am - Reply

        chasing around over the water in front of the nest …

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:32 am - Reply

        I think even hitting the other bird when they reached this side of the nest, but because of the the angle they were at, the picture wasn’t good. Here’s after that when the chase continued

    32. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:14 am - Reply

      It had been a while since George brought a fish and chick #1 was apparently hangry. Gracie was moving a stick when chick #1 gave her a peck on the head!!

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:14 am - Reply

        And, a second one for good measure a few seconds later!!

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:16 am - Reply

        Later, when George came to the nest and was tidying things up chick #1 gave him a couple of pecks, too!!

    33. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:11 am - Reply

      George or Gracie’s wing while whichever one was on the perch

    34. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:06 am - Reply

      I could hear sparrows chirping loudly and then 2 sparrows flashed in front of the camera.

      • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:07 am - Reply

        I think they were fighting …

        • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:08 am - Reply

          because one made a loud squeak noise …

        • Betsy July 22, 2017 at 2:08 am - Reply

          With one touching down for a nanosecond on the nest before flying away.

    35. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 1:56 am - Reply

      Gracie and George generally come in close as they land on the perch, but, for some reason Gracie was still relatively far away when she came in to land on the perch!

    36. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 1:53 am - Reply

      Usually I don’t really like pictures from mid-morning to mid-afternoon because the glare of the sun washes everything out. But, here, it really lit up Gracie’s white feathers as she took off from the nest! 🙂

    37. Betsy July 22, 2017 at 1:51 am - Reply

      It’s amazing to see chick #1 become proficient at self-feeding — holding the fish piece with its foot and twisting and ripping off a bite-size piece!

    38. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 5:21 pm - Reply

      Eating in the outdoor diningroom again. George’s tail showed up and then Gracie and general chirping sounds like dinner to me!

    39. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 2:59 pm - Reply

      Went on a way back trip thru pages and there were few or no pictures! Was disappointing…I had forgotten and was looking forward to seeing past chicks…..

    40. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:05 pm - Reply

      12:51- Another Porgy from George.

      • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:07 pm - Reply

        It’s hard to see, but Gracie handed Brownie#2 the spines from the fish’ back. Went right down.

        • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:08 pm - Reply

          Blondie#1 up tor her turn

          • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:18 pm - Reply

            PLEASE NOTE- Blondie and Brownie are my nicknames for chicks- not official

            • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:20 pm

              13:07 Blondie had gotten remainder of this fish and Gracie was regretting the loss and heading for it…George came in just in time with another one.

            • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 1:21 pm

              Brownie went over to share new fish with Mom…

    41. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 12:41 pm - Reply

      12:25 At least there’s a breeze today…Once again, HHH- mid-80s temps, which are good but humidity HIGH…sunny changing to some cloudiness this afternoon. Ditto tomorrow.
      Chance of t-storms and rain for 3 days after.- slightly cooler.

    42. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 11:48 am - Reply

      Check out my MIGHTY wings, peoples!

    43. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 11:45 am - Reply

      WOW–they weren’t kidding about how many bugs we have!

    44. CarolV July 21, 2017 at 11:41 am - Reply

      KATHY B-yes, those pinkish things are cactus segments, aging in the nest. Prickly pear- why or how she got them will forever be a mystery, I doubt that she was out strolling in the fields!
      BETSY-enjoy all your shots but especially love “Windblown chick#2” 7/21/17-1:25am.
      JOSEPH B-Thanks for joining on! Hope your son loves it!
      DAWN- these chicks watch everything! Love to see when they are watching their parents and learning new techniques…

      • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 12:52 pm - Reply

        btw- JOSEPH B- if you scroll to bottom, above comment box, the #s refer to previous pages and can take you back to previous seasons. And at the top of page, if you haven’t found them yet, are different pages such as HIGHLIGHTS that take you to different aspects of the site. There are also the highlight videos on the right side of the intro section, including the rescue in 2015. Lots to see if you choose to take some time. Good luck and have fun!

      • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:46 am - Reply

        CarolV: Thank you!

    45. DAWN July 21, 2017 at 9:51 am - Reply

      Look at how alert our baby is! Checking things out, looking around, waiting for another breakfast perhaps???

      • SUE July 21, 2017 at 11:23 am - Reply

        I’ve been on for about an hour watching this guy- I think he wants to be a TV star. He seems to be playing to the camera. What a ham!

        • Betsy July 23, 2017 at 9:00 am - Reply

          Sue: I think you’re right!!

      • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:36 pm - Reply

        Dawn: I love how the chicks watch everything that’s going on around them!!

    46. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 9:29 am - Reply

      I think this was a crow attacking George as he flew to the nest with a stick …

      • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 9:30 am - Reply

        Then it was poor Gracie’s turn to be chased by one

      • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 9:33 am - Reply

        I really hope this doesn’t happen to the chicks when they fledge!! Being brand, brand new at flying I don’t know how they would handle that.

    47. Joseph B July 21, 2017 at 2:19 am - Reply

      Wow it’s so crazy how I found this website just browsing around, I don’t even know how I got here LOL – but I love how the camera is on live feed and I can see the birds. The pictures that you guys captured are so cool, especially with them eating fish. My son he’s 5 also loves birds I will be showing this to him tomorrow – I’m sure he will love it! Thank you for sharing!

      • Joseph B July 21, 2017 at 2:21 am - Reply

        This is wild nature at its finest!

        • June c July 21, 2017 at 3:40 pm - Reply

          Welcome to the site…This is the 3rd. batch of chicks for George n Gracie…the site has been up since 2015…They are great parents to their chicks..again Welcome

      • CarolV July 21, 2017 at 11:28 am - Reply

        Glad you found this site. From what I’ve seen, we have the closest cam to the birds. It has some disadvantages, in that one side of nest is not in view, but I love the pictures we get when someone is looking right in lens!

      • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 11:39 am - Reply

        Joseph B: Welcome!! I’m glad you love this webcam and I just know your son will love it, too!! This is the 3rd year of the webcam. The mama bird is named Gracie and the papa is named George. They were given their names by Tommy on whose property the nest is located (article at https://riverheadlocal.com/2015/06/12/baby-osprey-hatches-on-live-video-in-east-marion-nest-siblings-to-follow/ for the history of how the webcam came to be). The chicks don’t have names yet, but most likely, as in years past, there will be a chick naming contest. The chicks are just over 6 weeks old and should fledge within the next week or so and, then, their next step after that will be catching their first fish. Then, they’ll hang around , spending less and less time at the nest, honing their fishing and flying skills and then they’ll migrate south in September or October. Here are a couple of good websites with lots of information about osprey if you’re interested: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/scotlands-wildlife/osprey-fact-file/ and http://individual.utoronto.ca/ali_naqvi/osprey.htm and http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pandion_haliaetus/. Again, welcome and enjoy!!

        • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 11:40 am - Reply

          PS I like your picture!!

          • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:38 pm - Reply

            Add: Just to let you know for future reference, when we post a picture it needs to also have the © and/or sponsorship information. 🙂

        • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:44 pm - Reply

          PPS Re the chicks’ names. The chicks don’t have official names, but CarolV, our resident comedienne and weather forecaster ( 😀 ) calls them Blondie (chick #1) and Brownie (chick #2) because Blondie has fewer dark head feathers looks more blonde!!

    48. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:26 am - Reply

      Chick #1 stretched its wing

    49. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:25 am - Reply

      Chick #2 a little windblown

    50. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:24 am - Reply

      Gracie takes the fish delivery from George

    51. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:23 am - Reply

      Chick #1 winger-sizing while chick #2 checks out piece of fish

    52. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:21 am - Reply

      Gracie landing on nest

    53. Betsy July 21, 2017 at 1:20 am - Reply

      Chick #1 moving the root clump

    54. Kathy B July 20, 2017 at 8:43 pm - Reply

      Has anyone heard if Tommy is ok? Still no word from him this year.

    55. CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:35 pm - Reply

      19:53…George brings another porgy….

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:37 pm - Reply

        Gracie can’t tear fast enough! They look like pointers focused on a bird!

    56. CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:18 pm - Reply

      18:15……….SCRIMMAGE………………..George brings in a nice fish

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:28 pm - Reply

        19:11—Look who’s got a nice chuck of fish! Gracie urged Brownie#2 to take it and sort of tossed it at him.

        • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:31 pm - Reply

          Mom took over to show how it’s done. kid watching closely and cadging a few bites…

        • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 10:47 am - Reply

          CarolV: Ooh, I like this picture!!

    57. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 7:41 pm - Reply

      Chick #2 working it!!

    58. Jackie Budris July 20, 2017 at 7:06 pm - Reply

      Hi Betsy,
      Thank you for your fun pics of our special Ospreys and your talented poems. Kepp them comin. You are so very special to us. I so look forward to your lovely posts.

      • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 10:45 am - Reply

        Jackie: You’re welcome and thank YOU for your kind words!!

    59. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 6:21 pm - Reply

      Gracie flying in with seaweed. They’re so impressive-looking with their wings!

    60. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 3:37 pm - Reply

      George flying to the nest with seaweed … and a crow in hot pursuit!!

    61. Isobel July 20, 2017 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      Regarding Irish Ospreys. They became extinct by the 19th century. Artificial platforms are being erected in suitable habitat to encourage the birds passing over to consider recolonising their former range. PS. I don’t remember the chicks from the past 2 years growing as fast as this pair.

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:22 pm - Reply

        Thank you, Isobel….Holding out hope for osprey in Erin!
        And I thought it was just me thinking how fast these guys are progressing! Probably if we did side by side comparison, it would be similar each year but, dang, this year is going FAST!

    62. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 1:28 pm - Reply

      Chick #2 does a hop while winger-sizing!!

    63. CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:33 am - Reply

      Good morning! Start of a pretty day with a view of some pretty birds……..

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:35 am - Reply

        George coming in with 2ndfish while Gracie is still working on first…the peanut gallery very aware of dessert’s arrival…

        • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:36 am - Reply

          Gracie polishing off her fish

    64. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 8:25 am - Reply

      If chick #2 had been a good little chickie yesterday, it would have given me a nice pose like this to post for its 6 week picture!! 😀

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:26 pm - Reply

        Just like any other brat–at least he wasn’t making faces………….

        But nice pose today!

    65. Betsy July 20, 2017 at 6:57 am - Reply

      Yesterday, when chick #1 was winger-sizing, it was hopping at times — meaning BOTH feet off the nest … at the same time!! They were only tiny hops, but they were BOTH feet up … at the same time!! Then they’ll get higher and higher!!

      🎵🎶Your love is liftin’ me,
      Whoa, higher, higher, higher, higher,
      Higher, higher, higher, higher.
      Gettin’ higher, gettin’ higher,
      Gettin’ higher, gettin’ higher.
      You lift me, you take me
      Higher and higher.
      Higher, higher, yeah, higher, higher!
      Keeps on liftin’ me.
      Keeps on liftin’ me.
      Keeps on liftin’ me.
      Keeps on liftin’ me. 🎵🎶

      • CarolV July 20, 2017 at 8:24 pm - Reply

        Was it the coffee? Or a shot in it?

        • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 10:51 am - Reply

          CarolV: For me or the chick?? 😀 😀 😀

          Song “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” originally by performed by Jackie Wilson, but I only knew the Rita Coolidge version. Showing my age!! 😀

    66. CarolV July 19, 2017 at 9:00 pm - Reply

      Love an osprey in a pink vest!

      Isobel and MGM- thanks for checking on Irish branch of the family…there are so many cams in so many countries..I was hoping for Ireland O’sreys

    67. Betsy July 19, 2017 at 10:54 am - Reply

      I had wanted to post this picture yesterday. After George brought that long tan strip of whatever it is, he moved to the front of the nest next to Gracie. They stood close together looking out over the water for almost 9 minutes until Gracie flew off. I love seeing how bonded George and Gracie are.

      • CarolV July 19, 2017 at 9:03 pm - Reply

        They are a cute couple!

      • Kathy B July 20, 2017 at 8:41 pm - Reply

        What is that pink thing in the nest next to the yellow plastic/rubber? Someone mentioned a cactus leave? Can’t figure it out……

        • Betsy July 21, 2017 at 10:55 am - Reply

          Kathy B: Yes, a cactus leaf! Rhodee, CarolV and Tucker all ID’d it. I couldn’t figure it out, either, when Gracie first brought it — it looked to me like a piece of rotten meat!! 😀 😀

    68. Betsy July 19, 2017 at 7:51 am - Reply

      Chick #2 is 6 weeks old today.

    69. Betsy July 19, 2017 at 2:52 am - Reply

      Hi Aidan. I have a question. I just noticed this. When you click on a picture to open it in a new tab (or a new window), in the address bar pictures from before the new picture system was initiated a week ago show the OZ website address and a series of numbers (I guess corresponding to what number comment that it was on the website and to what type of picture was attached [i.e. GIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG]) and in the tab it showed the comment number(?), type of picture and size (these are how I’ve always seen them show). For example, in the address bar with this picture I attached, the picture address is “http://ospreyzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/29422.png” and the tab shows as “29422.png (1366×768).”

      (Okay, people, I was checking out how my pictures would appear to viewers!! 😀 )

      • Betsy July 19, 2017 at 2:53 am - Reply

        Now, it shows the same first part of the address (http://ospreyzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05) and then what the quick shorthand I saved the picture as in my picture folder to post it on OZ (7-18landingonck.png) and the tab shows “7-18landingonck.png (1366×768).”
        I guess I better not label anything naughty!! 😀 😀

        (The pictures I’m attaching I labeled “7-19 example a” and “7-19 example b” 😀 😀 😀 )

        • Aidan July 19, 2017 at 10:01 am - Reply

          You’re right, I hadn’t noticed that before! I think the old numbering would be better, I wonder if I can get that back.

    70. CarolV July 18, 2017 at 9:00 pm - Reply

      20:38- late fish delivery…

      • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 9:02 pm - Reply

        Gracie jumped down and made the chick squeak when she landed on him…..she looked around, saw George had it under control and went back to her perch,

    71. CarolV July 18, 2017 at 8:54 pm - Reply

      Pretty sunset….tomorrow is supposed to be a repeat…low 80s with high humidity…

    72. Tucker July 18, 2017 at 6:08 pm - Reply

      Rodee glad to hear you are doing well. I believe the name that escapes you is Prickly Pear. This cactus grows well, here on the East End. About the Bugs spraying RAID for an insect that has not been identified is not a good idea. They may be a beneficial insect even if they are not why would you want to use Raid and kill good bugs who may be in the area or visit it. The Family doesn’t seem to mind them.

    73. CarolV July 18, 2017 at 5:48 pm - Reply

      George delivered a nice big fish–fluke?

      • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 5:49 pm - Reply

        Thanks, kid, for aiming THAT way!

        • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 5:50 pm - Reply

          George brought in a stick and now, I think, he’s looking for reward……

          • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 6:04 pm - Reply

            Cuddling with Eggbert…..settled right on to it briefly

            • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 6:05 pm

              DDDAAAA_AAD!!!!!! I can help! I’m Big now!

    74. CarolV July 18, 2017 at 5:35 pm - Reply

      A nice big fish from George!

      • CarolV July 18, 2017 at 5:37 pm - Reply

        I apologize to Gracie! I was so sure she was responsible for this what-ever till I scrolled back!!!

    75. Betsy July 18, 2017 at 9:51 am - Reply

      Gracie is an equal-opportunity mom — a week ago she landed on chick #1; this morning it was on chick #2!!

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