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An Intro to OspreyZone

The Story of DDT

Osprey Rescue

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Bald Eagles Visit Nest

Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020

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

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Osprey Rescue Extended - July 30, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015

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First Sighting

George and Gracie's First Baby

Eggs Over Easy

Changing of the Guard

Breakfast is Served

Upgrading

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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. CarolV August 10, 2015 at 6:34 am - Reply

      About 5:35amEDT Somebody was out flying circles around the nest. Looked like he was having a good time. The other chick was inspired to wingercize . Mom can be heard up on the perch. Absolutely beautiful sunrise.

    2. Leanne August 10, 2015 at 5:56 am - Reply

      Unfortunately I was unable to check on the babies at all yesterday so I know I must have missed a lot. As of right now, 4:53 CST both chicks are in nest and are calling for breakfast. Looks like a beautiful morning in the nest. Hope it continues with many fish deliveries. 🙂 Good Morning, Osprey Family 🙂

    3. Rjoneal August 10, 2015 at 5:24 am - Reply

      Monday morning 5:21 AM both babies sitting on the nest on 1 foot perched nice and tall like a young adults what a beautiful view in the background and they’re just enjoying the nice weather and the view around them .

    4. Karin from Rockland August 9, 2015 at 10:17 pm - Reply

      I am wondering, if one of the babies fly at night, will they be able to see the nest to come back?
      It is windy now and I only see one baby.
      Probably too grainy to see both.. How is there night vision?

    5. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 10:14 pm - Reply

      Was catching up on the evening in Ospreyville and reading about how well fed everyone was thru 6:30pm. Then I scrolled back and saw George bring in another chunk of fish at 7:30pmEDT. The kids were stuffed and sleepy and Gracie barely worked up a dance. He did get a nice hug from one chick, which was adorable! In the end everyone managed to eat. And another peaceful sunset.

    6. Carissa August 9, 2015 at 8:54 pm - Reply

      I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all of those who have made this live broadcast possible!! I live right on the Connetquot River in Long Island, NY and we have multiple Osprey nests here. However I never imagined actually seeing right into an Osprey nest! These birds are truly magical and amazing! Thank you ALL so much for allowing us to view all of this amazingly beautiful nature up close! I have my 2 kids watching this daily and I think it’s important for our next generation to witness natures beauty. Not only is it important for our children to see this, it’s important for us to see this as well. Thank you again! I’ll be sad when they leave, but I’ll be looking forward to next year.

    7. Karin from Rockland August 9, 2015 at 8:41 pm - Reply

      OK, they are exhausted.. Baby #2 did fly today! So proud, but miss them already..
      Potential rain storm for Tuesday.

    8. Elaine August 9, 2015 at 8:33 pm - Reply

      Two very tired chicks. They look so relaxed right now.

    9. Marilyn August 9, 2015 at 8:26 pm - Reply

      It seems since the last episode of the invader after George brought a fish home, Gracie is a little slow in staring to eat & feed the chicks. Probably just wants to make sure there is no invader each time.

    10. Marlene August 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm - Reply

      Before-bed snack was brought in by George around 7:30 p.m. EST. What a good father! He really provided for them today. They are such great parents. Too bad some parents can’t learn from them.

    11. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 7:36 pm - Reply

      Sunday 731 George brings fish to the nest Gracie takes it over. So cute both babies laying down one baby stretches out his wing right over George giving daddy a big hug for a job well done lots of fish today from George and Gracie what good parents !

    12. Marilyn August 9, 2015 at 7:14 pm - Reply

      Anyone know if something happened earlier today. Around 5 ish I guess. George brought home a nice big fish, Gracie was starting to feed the chick when she & the chicks started chirping like crazy, looking around like there was an intruder nearby. I watched as much as I could & didn’t see anything.

    13. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 6:33 pm - Reply

      Talk about Feast or Famine -today has been a Feast Day. After the 2 fishes earlier this afternoon George brought a fish at 5. Gracie and Chick #1 were eating while Chick 2 waited as usual. Then George landed right in front of the camera about 5:30 stayed a few minutes and flew off carrying a huge fish. He decided that they didn’t need it and hopefully is going somewhere to have a good meal maybe with the visiting fledge who we haven’t seen in a few days. Sharing the wealth?
      Thank you Karen for answering my questions regarding where they go and where the sleep when they go south then I assume they do they same while here? Except I don’t think Gracie would have left the chicks when they were very young so I guess she did spend the night maybe on the perch?

      • Lyn August 9, 2015 at 7:20 pm - Reply

        Glad everyone enjoyed the information that I recently posted – believe me, I just “happened” upon the site during a google search regarding osprey migration. It is very bittersweet, as we all have found out the “future” and the facts. Good and ugly. We probably won’t be seeing these babies again after migration, unless a miracle happens and they somehow return. We probably will never know since we can’t identify them as it is now! I wish there were an identifying trait to distinguish them from each other. They will obviously change drastically in South America or wherever they go. We can only hope that both George AND Gracie make it back next year and that Tommy and Paul are willing to continue with the Cam and moderation. Paul has done an amazing job, seeing he had no idea from the beginning that it would involve so much of his time! I myself, have watched this crew everyday, many hours each day, and have a huge emotional attachment to them. As time goes on, I will have to tear myself away a little each day, to help with the withdrawal. I have to give both Paul major thanks for “making” my summer so special with all the drama of a reality show and of course Tom for having the nest in his yard. I would love to see these babies named before they leave, even though we know we’ll probably not see them again. From what I’ve read, they still have a few weeks of learning many things and Dad time before they take off. When the cold autumn winds blow in, they will blow out. God speed. Oh, and around the 4:00 mark, there was some kind of boom that shook the nest for 2 seconds. Anyone else hear or see this?

      • Lyn August 9, 2015 at 7:59 pm - Reply

        Just recently, Gracie spends the night on the perch. All through the summer, she slept with her babies. No matter where she goes, she’s “hawk-eyed” on the nest and knows everything that is going on.

      • susan August 9, 2015 at 8:30 pm - Reply

        I see both babies on the nest right now, evening sky looks clear in the background, chirping going on! The nest and the babies looks so beautiful! Time to sleep, they must be so full! Good to see!

    14. Marlene August 9, 2015 at 6:28 pm - Reply

      George delivered two nice sized fish for dinner, somewhere between 5:15 and 6:15 EST. They all must be pretty full at this point. I, too, wish he would deliver them headless. It’s sad when the fish is still alive to see its tail move and being torn apart by Gracie and the kids. ;(

      • Monica August 9, 2015 at 7:54 pm - Reply

        omg, I thought I was the only one who felt this way. A couple of days ago the fish was still flapping its tail and all my nephew and I could see was his eye wide open. My nephew said to me, “Imagine if that were to happen to us, watching as our body was ripped apart? That’d be so painful!!” But, that’s just nature – cruel but necessary for survival.

    15. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 6:21 pm - Reply

      Talk about Feast or Famine -today has been a Feast Day. After the 2 fishes earlier this afternoon George brought a fish at 5. Gracie and Chick #1 were eating while Chick 2 waited as usual. Ten George landed right n front of the camera stayed a few minutes and flew off carrying a huge fish. He decided that they didn’t need it and hopefully is going somewhere to have a good meal maybe with the visiting fledge who we haven’t seen in a few days. Sharing the wealth?
      Thank you Karen for answering my questions regarding where they go and where the sleep when they go south then I assume they do they same while here? Except I don’t think Gracie would have left the chicks when they were very young so I guess she did spend the night maybe on the perch?

      • Karen August 9, 2015 at 6:41 pm - Reply

        When they have young chicks in the nest they always perch near if not on the nest. Even now that they’re fledglings, I don’t think she’d spend the night far from the nest..

    16. Patty August 9, 2015 at 6:20 pm - Reply

      6;13pm edt, Oh boy, having the beginnings Osprey Withdrawal….saw empty nest alot today….Still do not know “.full fledge time is, when Gracie says “see you, I’m done here, when and how George takes the chicks to learn to fish and fend for themselves, it is an OMG Thank you day !

    17. Mitchell August 9, 2015 at 6:13 pm - Reply

      Does anybody know how long it takes about for an osprey to fly from L.I. To Sout America?

      • Karen August 9, 2015 at 6:44 pm - Reply

        You can go to Rob Bierregaard’s site and find out exactly how long it takes each monitored bird to make the trip there and back.
        http://www.ospreytrax.com/2014%20Winter.html

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 9:58 pm - Reply

        Check out OSPREYTRAX.COM and you’ll see how hard that is to answer. Very interesting site.

    18. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 5:46 pm - Reply

      5:43 pm George returns with the fish Gracie takes it over and George leaves the nest .

    19. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 5:36 pm - Reply

      Around 530 to 530-ish George brings in a full fish notices Gracie is feeding babies with one moved over to the other side of the nest looks like he was going to feed one of the babies but that baby was going hysterical and George decide to leave taking the fish with him baby looks stunned

    20. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 5:04 pm - Reply

      Just remembered OA is already taken {overeaters anonymous which I should join} How about OWA osprey watchers Anon.? Anyone else?

      • Sandy August 9, 2015 at 6:45 pm - Reply

        I like it OWA

      • Trinity August 9, 2015 at 10:13 pm - Reply

        Sign me up CarolV….meetings at my place in the fall ??

    21. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 4:59 pm - Reply

      Sunday 455 George brings in a fish Gracie has to fight to get it . Gracie screams sound very horse I hope she isn’t getting sick or something I’ve never heard her scream sound like that before . Poor Gracie . At first because her screams didn’t sound like Gracie screams I thought maybe it could be another female but once I saw the black spot under the wing I knew it was our Gracie . If anybody else is watching this did you notice her voice sounds very bad .

    22. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 4:58 pm - Reply

      George brings in a whole big one @ 4:53pmEDT. No one turns it down.

    23. Elaine August 9, 2015 at 4:51 pm - Reply

      Both chicks are back in the nest. Talking to each other, probably saying “WHERE IS THE FISH?”, “WE ARE HUNGRY”.

    24. Beatrice August 9, 2015 at 4:09 pm - Reply

      Jo-ann, I’m in Long Beach, NY
      Right now I see and empty nest but a shadow of an osprey sitting somewhere up out of camera range.

    25. Donna August 9, 2015 at 3:47 pm - Reply

      We have one very tired chick. It can hardly keep its eyes open.

    26. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 2:25 pm - Reply

      2:22pmEDT George drops in with partial fish just as they polished off leftovers. It’s a good day in ospreyland.

    27. Mitchell August 9, 2015 at 2:17 pm - Reply

      I heard that Gracie will be headed To S.A. later this week.

      • GinaM August 9, 2015 at 6:33 pm - Reply

        I don’t think that she will leave until September. The adult ospreys at the nests around here leave in September and the babies follow at the end of September beginning of October.

        • mitchell August 9, 2015 at 7:16 pm - Reply

          Oh okay thanks.

    28. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 2:08 pm - Reply

      It’s getting difficult to follow thru scroll back….these kids are in and out in and out! At least there’s no door to slam behind them,,,,one has been having some fun in the wind.

    29. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 2:04 pm - Reply

      Gracie returned about 1:45 and is eating the remaining fish I guess she didn’t get enough of the first one since she end up feeding both chicks from that one.

    30. Isobel Mackenzie August 9, 2015 at 1:54 pm - Reply

      Family have been very vocal today. Will miss this so much.so thank you all for a wonderful experience.

    31. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 1:52 pm - Reply

      1:43pmEDT Mom dropped down from perch and decided it was time to break out the spare fish. Chick who’s been sitting on it pecked at her a few times. Guess he thought it was his stash. She’s showing him how a fish is properly demolished.

    32. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 1:25 pm - Reply

      When George came in with first fish chick #1 took it from him(he would never have let Chick #2 have it) Then Gracie came in with another fish and she and chick 2 began eating. Then chick 1 decided it was much easier to be feed by Mom so he pushed his way in and had Gracie feed him. I guess they aren’t really ready to feed on their own or chick 1 likes full service. Guess they are full Gracie and chick 1 are gone and chick 2 is left in the nest with the other fish.

    33. Karen August 9, 2015 at 1:21 pm - Reply

      I don’t think I’ve ever seen an uneaten fish just sitting on the nest!

    34. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 1:02 pm - Reply

      Gracie is having the home-alone rest many moms wish for. Wonder if she is having dreams of traveling?

    35. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm - Reply

      Carol IV I couldn’t agree more picture might get the point across

      • Eric O'Ferrall August 9, 2015 at 1:07 pm - Reply

        Has anyone seen if they have ever caught a flounder or a fluke?

        • Karen August 9, 2015 at 1:20 pm - Reply

          Yes, at least once. I think it was last weekend. I thought it was a flounder but someone identified it as a fluke. I had never heard that term so had to look it up to find the difference. I don’t think we have fluke in the South.

        • Tucker August 9, 2015 at 1:48 pm - Reply

          The only fish I’ve been able to ID are: Porgy, Bunker, Snapper. I think it would be hard for them to get bottom dwellers, except from the creeks.

        • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 1:56 pm - Reply

          They have caught flounder, bunker, some bluefish, and even sea robin as far as we’ve been able to identify. Maybe bass, I believe someone said.

          • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 1:57 pm - Reply

            I meant fluke, not sure on flouder

    36. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 12:11 pm - Reply

      It looks like the fish defeated the chick. Scrolled back to see him begging from Mom. “It’s just to hard Mom….I’m tired Mom” At least they’ll have snacks for later

    37. Marlene August 9, 2015 at 11:53 am - Reply

      Around 11:00 a.m. NY time, George delivered a nice size fish and one of his kiddies went to peck him to chase him away. I know Gracie didn’t teach them to hit their daddy. About three minutes later, Gracie came with a nice size fish, also. Eatings are good today.

    38. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 11:53 am - Reply

      1151 too funny baby number two decided it’s way too much work to try and eat a fish on your own he’d rather go to mommy and have Gracie feed him/her. Whole fish lays in the nest while Gracie feeds baby one and two now.

    39. Karen August 9, 2015 at 11:50 am - Reply

      Whichever chick had the whole fish and was self-feeding is learning it’s not as easy as it looks to rip the head off a big fish.

    40. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 11:48 am - Reply

      It’s 1141 and mom just stopped feeding baby2 to do a little squawking the baby 2 wasn’t having any of that Baby 2 decided to try and take the fish away from Gracie. Gracie of course saying I don’t think so little one she overpowered him/her and begin to feed baby 2. Oh boy baby 2 being impatient today which is not baby 2 normal behavior. Yes baby 2 growing up and wanting to eat on it’s own like baby number1.

    41. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 11:39 am - Reply

      Bonnie I did answer your questions It didn’t post to earlier this morning though you may have to take a look back

      • Bonnie August 10, 2015 at 9:03 am - Reply

        8:46 am EST Pompano Beach, Fl.

        Thank you Rjoneal . Well, guess I live on the wrong side of Florida. I kinda envy you and your ospreys. Did I read somewhere you were going to start a nest so you could watch closer ?
        If so, maybe you could post some pictures next year and keep us informed here. Question, have you ever seen any float like a duck? I ask that because I think you get more wind up there and am curious if they can survive a hurricane if on the water. Oh, your neighbors don’t know what they are missing. Thank you again for the info.

    42. Rjoneal August 9, 2015 at 11:35 am - Reply

      Sunday afternoon brunch George brings in a nice good size fish head on baby one takes over even pecks at dad in the face to get the fish. George take a look around and sees no Gracie but decides to leave the nest baby one starts eating fish and Gracie comes in with a nice big full-size fish and starts feeding baby number two how beautiful it is to see baby one handling and eating that big fish by it’s self .Baby 1 doing a great job way to go ! I bet now he/she is wishes he/she didn’t graduate to being able to feed it’s self it’s a lot more work than it looks like.

      • Trinity August 9, 2015 at 12:13 pm - Reply

        12:10 EST, one chick takes off and second chick just staring at the headless fish, nice to see their bellies are full this weekend. Thanks for all the updates ladies ?

    43. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 11:25 am - Reply

      While I was posting last comment a lot went on in the nest. George brought in a fish which Chick #2 grabbed from him then Gracie brought one in a few seconds later which she and Chick #2 are sharing. They are having quite a Sunday Bruch!!

    44. Catherine August 9, 2015 at 11:17 am - Reply

      We’re happy to see that one of the chicks can feed himself with the fish brought into the nest! glad that mom came back to feed the other one!

    45. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 11:07 am - Reply

      11:03am EDT George brings in large whole fish and kids left in charge. Fortunately Gracie arrives to show them what to do

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 11:09 am - Reply

        OH I missed it while typing! Gracie brought in 2nd even larger fish! Guess her toes are working fine!

        • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 11:21 am - Reply

          Is that #2 with his own fish. Whoever is really going to town!

    46. Jo-Ann August 9, 2015 at 11:06 am - Reply

      Yes there as been a sparrows nest under osprey nest. One used to visit maybe for building materials but have not seen it recently. So I assume the chirping we hear must be those sparrows. The chick that was away from the nest yesterday for about 1 1/2 hours was chick #1. Chick #2 has not left for more than a few minutes and not gone far from the nest. One of them spent a lot of time last evening rearranging a piece of plastic moved it all over the nest and it finally blew away. Paul had commented that osprey have decided that plastic is a good thing to have in the nest, Something about insulation and waterproofing as I recall. So one species trash is another’s treasure? Had to be a learned trait plastic was not around millions of years ago.
      Questions:
      Where do adult osprey spend the night? Do they have a master suite away from the nursery?
      Why is George bringing the fish alive of late.. He had always brought headless fish which was so much easier to watch at feeding time.
      So does George catch other fish that he eats other than those he brings home? and where would he eat it?
      I plan on spending some time this winter when I am snowed in reading about these magnificent birds. Also would it be possible if each of us include where we live, country or state? I am curious about where you are all watching this event. I live in New York on Long Island about 40 miles from East Marion on the north shore.

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 4:38 pm - Reply

        I think Gracie sleeps on perch above camera. I don’t know about George but at another nest I watch,(from the ground) the male has a tall telephone type pole that he claims. The female there generally sleeps on edge of nest.
        I live on the South Fork of LI, NY

    47. barbarav August 9, 2015 at 10:54 am - Reply

      10:50 a.m. everyone out for a fly 10:52 a.m. one came back and someone nearby is chirping away!

    48. Elizabeth August 9, 2015 at 10:42 am - Reply

      10:40AM—my first sight of an empty nest. They have fledged!

    49. Donna August 9, 2015 at 10:35 am - Reply

      10:30 and the nest is empty. The youngest just flew off.

    50. Marlene August 9, 2015 at 9:56 am - Reply

      To Kalcat: The time I saw the last chick fledge was yesterday, August 8th, at 9:00 a.m. DST (New York time). That was the first time the nest was completely empty. Actually, it was nice — but sad. That’s what’s going to happen soon.
      To Lyn: Thanks for that wealth of information.

    51. barbarav August 9, 2015 at 9:42 am - Reply

      just saw the two chicks fly home to mamma!!

    52. GinaM August 9, 2015 at 9:33 am - Reply

      I think Chick #2 is a little bit of a Nest Potato. 🙂

    53. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 9:31 am - Reply

      9:25am,ishEDT Gracie came in to the cheers of the chicks. You can hear the other one on the perch. Gracie is looking at her foot again. Sore toe? Has she brought in a fish lately?

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 9:34 am - Reply

        I just realized you can see his claws before chick drops in to nest…he must sit right on camera…I guess that’s why you can here his claws clacking when he’s up there..close to mike.

    54. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 8:55 am - Reply

      There’s lots of activity in the neighborhood! At about 8:15am, there was a double fly-by and possible fly over. Gracie kept on alert constantly! More VFs I guess.

    55. Z August 9, 2015 at 8:50 am - Reply

      Why are there only two chicks in the best? Who are they? The chicks?

      • Z August 9, 2015 at 9:37 am - Reply

        Gracie’s the mom, right? So then we’re are the chicks? Did they leave already?

      • Z August 9, 2015 at 9:44 am - Reply

        Never mind

    56. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 8:26 am - Reply

      Maybe we should take some stills of Gracie’s plastic palace at it’s best and post them by beaches captioned ” Don’t let YOUR trash wind up here! “

      • Rich August 9, 2015 at 9:19 am - Reply

        I think that’s a great idea!

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 9:21 am - Reply

        “Recycling is NOT for the birds!” Any other suggestions?

    57. David Wilcox August 9, 2015 at 7:56 am - Reply

      7;50 am est camera captured almost full flight of chick off nest down to water and back to nest

      • June c August 9, 2015 at 11:15 am - Reply

        thans for heads up..played back and watched..our babies r getting to be young kids.

    58. GinaM August 9, 2015 at 7:51 am - Reply

      I love chick #2 getting flying lessons from chick #1

    59. Doris August 9, 2015 at 7:44 am - Reply

      Ya, breakfast at last. Can’t believe how big they are. I will miss them

    60. CarolV August 9, 2015 at 7:20 am - Reply

      Somebody was out flying at first light…circling the nest before 5:30amEDT. It’s funny to watch the nest sitter following the sib’s movements.
      The other chick moved to the perch about 6, just to get a little exercise. Then Mom dropped in and had a lot to say.
      Breakfast arrived @ 7:13am. George was so obscured by flapping wings that the only thing I could tell was there was a fish.

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 7:40 am - Reply

        It’s funny that #1 doesn’t make any obvious gestures of aggression but #2 still hangs back. Will sidle in for a bit then backs off.. Maybe he’s getting the stink-eye from #1 across Mom’s head.

    61. June 5 August 9, 2015 at 6:44 am - Reply

      Did not last long…was a weird sight to see even if it was only couple seconds

    62. June c August 9, 2015 at 6:43 am - Reply

      6:40 AM. First time I have seen an empty nest!!

    63. WensyL August 8, 2015 at 8:30 pm - Reply

      What a beautiful success this nest has been after all the trauma, Have you ever seen a more beautiful sight than this, Nature is truly amazing! Thank you Paul and Tommy for sharing this most amazing and touching portrait of our Beautiful World!

    64. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 8:08 pm - Reply

      So nice to see the kids cuddled together! They pretty much cover the nest!
      The water has been looking very grey this afternoon and there’s a bit of a chop. Gonna have to check the weather. Could we possibly be getting rain?

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 8:39 am - Reply

        False hope. No rain and none in sight. Happy for osprey family,,,not for my yard. At least it’s cut down on mowing.

    65. Elaine August 8, 2015 at 8:02 pm - Reply

      The 2nd chick just returned and is also laying flat.

    66. Elaine August 8, 2015 at 7:58 pm - Reply

      Gracie is giving a warning call for some reason – one of chicks is laying flat.

    67. Jai August 8, 2015 at 7:43 pm - Reply

      It sounds like there is a nest of baby birds near or under the Osprey nest OR our Osprey are ventriloquists. I have noticed much chirping going on but our birds’ beaks are not moving. 🙂

    68. Pat August 8, 2015 at 7:35 pm - Reply

      7:33pm, one of the chicks practicing “touch & goes”. Great to watch, makes me smile.

    69. June B August 8, 2015 at 7:21 pm - Reply

      Okay. What’s with all the black plastic bags??? What store in that area uses them. They need to switch to plastic.
      Excellent info Lynn. I learned a lot of it from the Werthiem cam a few years back but still always find it fascinating. Thanks.

      • June B August 9, 2015 at 8:02 am - Reply

        I meant paper.

    70. Lyn August 8, 2015 at 6:41 pm - Reply

      6:30 p.m. ET – For all those who were sad when the black plastic was removed and/or blew away, Gracie decided to bring us another offering. She is hysterical! A lot of stick maneuvering going on today also. Renovations for teenagers!

    71. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm - Reply

      The plastic princess is at it again. Around 6:30pm she brought in not one but two wads of bag. Within minutes of each other so she clearly had a plan.

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 6:43 pm - Reply

        And some sticks to anchor them down! What was in that fish? Fortunately I think some plastic already getting away.

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 7:14 pm - Reply

        YAY! some major flapping at7:12pm blew away the plastic,,,at least it’s out of sight

    72. kalcat August 8, 2015 at 5:39 pm - Reply

      Could you post the time of the fledging by the 2nd chick? In EDT please. Using playback I watched what I thought was the fledge but according to the chat the fledge happened early this afternoon and not 1.5 hours ago. Thanks.

      • CarolV August 9, 2015 at 8:37 am - Reply

        There were several different viewings,,,one up to perch and some fly arounds. Hopefully if highlights of each fledgling are made all will be included. I just hope whoever makes videos are better at telling these kids apart than I am.!

    73. Rose Petejan August 8, 2015 at 5:01 pm - Reply

      4:50 p.m. George comes in with a live fish for the gang. #1 arrived a couple of minutes before dinner.

      George has definitely been in the pictures a lot more the last couple of days.

    74. CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:50 pm - Reply

      4:49pmEDT George delivers nice full fish for dinner. Gracie and 2nd chick dropped in to nest and must have been yelling for a full minute!

      • CarolV August 8, 2015 at 4:54 pm - Reply

        Mutiney…..sneak attack from behind by#2(I think) to gain control. Mom’s still bigger and stronger, kiddo……

    75. Rjoneal August 8, 2015 at 4:49 pm - Reply

      Bonnie I live in Jacksonville Florida about 5 miles away from the Alantic beach and on the other side I have the St. Johns River in my backyard we have man-made lakes with fish. Ospreys usually have a nest on the cell phone towers that are disguised as Pinetree’s and on light fixtures in shopping areas of the parking lots and buildings downtown. Also there’s an osprey nest on a college campus University North Florida and there was nest at the smaller college campus . Two years in a row there’s been a nest right in my backyard off at a distance in the middle of the woods on the cell phone tower I was able to watch the whole thing now everyone is flying and comes to our lake and gets fish sometimes or you just see them flying above making their noise it’s so beautiful. Publix shopping center on Atlantic Boulevard has an osprey nest . This is a grocery store and every time I would go I would take pictures of the ospreys and the babies but people in Jacksonville thought I was Crazy they just don’t even notice how beautiful the birds are there are so many around they don’t notice them. I’ve had the little juveniles like our Osprey family right now on Osprey zone come and land on my fence and then sit for a while facing our lake. There is also a lot of Hawks and owls that live nearby as well.

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