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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
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Belle’s Journey
Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky
Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.
IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.
Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.
Hello Paul,
Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.
Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.
I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.
Best wishes, and good luck,
John W. Fitzpatrick
Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.
Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.
charles.
*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.
Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com
It’s 11:56 AM and one of the juvies is eating lunch. Black plastic bag next to the fish. Was the fish bought at the local deli???
The following is an interesting Quote from the Hog Island Osprey nest in Maine Posted yesterday Aug 31 “The wind direction still isn’t in favor for migration. Ospreys need winds coming from north during the day to give them a perfect lift for their long journey down south; that may happen on Thursday, following the forecast. Therefore let us hope for a last visit of Rachel and Steve on the nest during the next days.”
Is it my imagination or is part of the nest edge that we see falling down ? It doesn’t look like it has as many sticks as it use to.
The very front looks like its lost a lot of bigger branches.
The nest is on a platform Some of the larger pieces do look like there gone
I used the wrong term “follows” because they do not reconnect until the Spring – I meant to say – goes off.
I am beginning to think that I am wrong about Gracie. I think the one in the nest is George. From what I read, the mother does go off first and the father follows in time.
Am not sure Gracie is gone yet. The family on the lot next to mine is intact. I am looking at them right now and I see all five of them.
was that Gracie who delivered the headless fish to Sandy..around 8 AM? Sandy right?
Take that back..sure was Dad
I haven’t been online in a while I think Ronnie has been catching fish but has Sandy??
I just posted a similar comment. I don’t know if the youngster they call Sandy is having much success catching fish. Hope I’m wrong.
Sandy is alone in nest, squawking away at someone on perch? She doesnt sound happy and as a matter of fact she even surprised me a few squawks back by sounding like a sea gull. lol 🙂
To PattyK and JeanneD: Thanks for replying. I’ve been watching this little family since early June and I still can’t tell them apart but I think I might just have some idea of who is who by now. I didnt know that the necklace was the back of the neck so that was very helpful as I thought it was the front of neck. There have been a few times when I was absolutely positive I had them identified only to realize later that yet again, I had them wrong. I love them anyway, no matter which one they are. Thank God Gracie has that black spot! as she is the only one I absolutely can identify. Love these birds!!
Have a great day, everyone 🙂
Leanne,
The necklace is the brown markings around the front of the neck/chest, not the back
Forgot to add that I believe that the original poster meant that a few brown spots shouldn’t be confused with a true “necklace.”
Thank you so much for the info. I figure by the time I get this info correct the babies will have gone BUT it will help me when I try to recognize the differences in next years chicks. At least I hope so. lol 🙂
Glad that Karen clarified necklace. Sorry for confusing you.
Also check out site Alizarin posted at 12:05. Neat necklace.
The 2014 highlights right on this site ( at the top of page to the right) show a female with a beautiful necklace. Forward to around 45 minutes. This truly is a neck of lace. I suspect that this was George’s mate last year.
I find it difficult to tell Ronnie and Sandy apart at times because of the angle of the sun and because they look so much alike. Have to really zero in on the differences.
Leanne, check this sight out . It will give you a very good description of the Osprey especially the female and the ‘Necklace “. Some females have a heavier one than others and some males have a few darker feathers on the chest.
Well I see I hit post before I was done. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/id
Thank you so much. I will definitely check it out 🙂
Very, very helpful information for me. Thank you so much 🙂
Well, here it is, a minute after midnight… The moon is sparking on the water and one bird is on the training perch hunched over sleeping……. ( looks kinda like a vulture ) peacefully. All is quiet…..
Good morning – I see a beautiful osprey in the nest now eating a nice sized fish! Looks like a beautiful day on Long Island! I read some posts, and see perhaps Gracie has left now? The Chesapeake Conservancy cam I follow, Audrey, the mom osprey, has apparently left as well. Maybe the mom osprey leave first? Godspeed and a safe journey to all!! 😎
I think I saw Gracie a couple of hours ago.
Another thing I’ve noticed about the siblings: When a fish is on its way to be delivered, somehow Ronnie always manages to be right where the parent lands in the nest. Don’t know how he does that; must have ESP. Sandy always seems to be off to the side. I really think he plans it. Looks like no dinner delivery for the chicks. Wonder why they do not fish for their dinner. I guess they want to be served?? By the way, I have not seen Gracie yesterday or today. Wonder if she’s heading south. Godspeed, Gracie. Stay safe until we all meet next spring. I will miss you. You are an awesome mother.
Paul and Tommy…..
A decadent thought: Next year, how about one camera facing the nest and another facing upward to the perch/camera.
How cool is that? RH
Question: Has anyone seen Gracie today at all? I’m wondering if she left without saying goodbye! If anyone sees her, please let us all know! Thanks.
August 31, 7.25 PM EDT
Gracie brought in half a fish this morning and Sandy grabbed it and wouldn’t stop squawking till mommy dearest left.
Long Island is on the route of migratory birds, and even though many wetlands have been destroyed, I suspect that chicks are on high alert because of migrating birds. You who live nearer to the water would know better than I. Today there was an adult who touched down and was gone in a flash. Ronnie was in the nest at the time.
I saw her either yesterday or today.
Sandy slept on her perch stretched her wings 5:35 am and flew off
Almost 6PM EASTERN both chicks in nest, seem to be on a high level alert about something!! They certainly look grown up, healthy and confident, don’t they?
i think this is about the time we proud observers say to them: “My, how you’ve grown!! I’ve know you since you were little baby chicks!!”
Sandy= shorter feather, thinner line on head, darker chest?
Ronnie= longer feather, thicker line on head and whiter chest?
Am I even close???
I’m with you, Leanne, I think you are on target! Hope we are close!!
August 31, 2014, 9:25 EDT
I think you are close. Sandy’s line is not only narrower but also neater looking than ronnie’s. I have noticed that Sandy’s lower legs look dirty. Ronnie’s are quite white. If birds are facing the camera and standing up straight and there is little wind, Sandy has fewer dark spots. These spots should not be confused with a necklace. Re the large dark spots on back of their heads.. Ronnie’s is oblong, like Gracie’s; Sandy’s is rounder, almost diamond shaped, more like George’s.
I can’t go by length of feathers. I think Ronnie might have a whiter chest.
Try to find features that are constant, and aren’t affected by wind. The back-of-head spots are tough to see well because it’s usually so windy.
Leanne, I agree with you. This is how I tell them apart also.
No one really knows.
And after all the clues I listed earlier the best clue is: Baby stopping by to eat to finishes and leaves it’s Ronnie. Baby stays in the nest most of the day usually calling out to be fed and still sleeps on the nest perch it’s Sandy. Tommie may have to evict her order to get her to South before it snows here. She just love that nest.
thank u so much for this wonderful experience .. i have been osprey watching from my kayak for years but this is just fabulous . .
Is this a thin stripe? at 3:39pm Ny time.
I am reading comments about Gracie making fish deliveries yesterday yet I think she is gone. I hope she flies in with her wing extended so I see the spot under her wing. I would be very happy to see her still here because I think Sandy still needs her. Other clues I use to tag Sandy other than her thinner longer legs than Ronnie’s are 1. If a baby is in the nest more than maybe 30 min. total and completely finishes the fish it is Ronnie-he can finish a fish in record time and never leaves an leftovers except maybe the tail fin. Also prefers eating in the lower right side of the nest practically out of our sight.2. Sandy can take sometimes an hour or more and still leave some leftovers and she seems to take her fish over to the perch on the right side of the nest. She is also the one that uses that perch rarely if ever have I seen Ronnie out there. I think Sandy is still spending the night out there. I agree with another persons observation that she has more brown stripping on top of her head. But I still use her legs to tag it’s her since I got that clue. Other clues came later.
Gamma, thanks for the hint about the speed. Makes it much easier to see the features on chicks and hopefully identify them correctly.
Also, Paul, my hat arrived today. It’s so nice and soft — very comfortable. Will wear it proudly. Thanks for all you do for us and our osprey family.
At 3:35pm that is Sandy sitting alone in the nest.
So, is the general consensus that Gracie has flown the coop?! Is it George then that occasionally brings fish for Sandy then?! I don’t watch as consistently as others do, that’s why I’m asking. I’m getting sad…. 🙁
Bonnie – from what I’ve read here…the siblings do not travel together and never get back together again…although they will breed in the same area. But they are not and
never will be friends…whoever can get the fish wins the fish…law of the wild…
Something that was mentioned on another cam site that might be of interest, is setting your speed to 0.5 or even 0.25. Just go to the red scroll bar and click on setting and from there speed. It is interesting to hear the different sounds you may not pick up on with regular speed and the lowest setting is great if you want to watch something in real slow speed. It almost makes it easier to tell who is who when they aren’t moving so fast.
Can we say with certainty that Sandy has come back to the nest all wet and carrying a whole fish? Ronnie yes, but Sandy?
EST:
Yes, I can agree with you. And later Ronnie came to take it without much of a fuss. I pray it stays this way in their travels with the sharing.
Yup. Sandy has come back to next twice today with a fish. She was only half finished with the first one when Ronnie took it away from her. I think she’s finally decided she has to get her own meals.
Trying to establish names. I think the round, rude one is Ronnie (also I think female because of behavior patterns). The slim, sleek more passive one is Sandy (male)? Is this right? Both kids are eating away from the nest by now. So proud of George and Gracie for raising two fine Osprey first year; they must be bursting with pride (Osprey style of course). Is Ronnie the youngest? She would be larger as a female, but I think some of her behavior, like still yacking about the nest for food, might be because she is the youngest. Sandy doesn’t have an issue with letting his sister eat (also male trait). Love them all. Hoping Iris and Stanley in Missoula fair better next year (Hail storm destroyed ready to hatch eggs). Same with Rachel and Steve in Maine (Lost two fledge-ready kids to an eagle).
Holly, no way to tell which is female and which is male. I refer to Sandy as female because they usually stay close to the nest. But it doesn’t matter. Easier for me to tell them apart. Also Sandy has a thin black stripe on her forehead and Ronnie has a wide black stripe.
Didn’t say I was certain, just from watching other nests for four years. Males are much more tolerant. I do see the stripe. Males do seem to be more streamline though. Even George is. Females only close to nest when they are nesting. So which is youngest?
I think also the one in the nest the most is the youngest, and also noticed one seems to keep its wings closer to body than the one that is in nest most often.
So, around 9:15 a.m. Sandy was enjoying the fish she caught, taking her time as usual. Along came Ronnie around 10:08 a.m. and stole the fish from her. She took off, let him have the fish. Such a good sister. Naturally Ronnie wasn’t hungry, because he had taken the fish from his father earlier, but he needed Sandy’s for a snack later on. He sat with that fish with his foot on it, doing nothing, until he finally flew out of the nest with it around 10:40 a.m.
Okay……. This is strange…. earlier this morning Sandy came in with a live fish she apparently caught herself. She had been doing the usual nibbling on and off for over an hour and a half….. then around 10:10 AM or so Ronnie flies in and steals the fish… Sandy just looks at him for a few then flies away….. No fight! As if that were not strange enough Ronnie is not really eating it either….. This is probably due to one of two reasons,….. They are either both full or neither chick particularly like this fish….Question…… are there certain fish osprey don’t like?
That was such a beautiful sunrise this morning! What a gorgeous view for our osprey family. After scrolling back, it looks like George delivered a headless fish around 8:30 a.m., and Ronnie was the only one in the nest. He did his thing, and no sooner had Sandy flew in when George took off with the fish. Poor Sandy! However, around 9:15 a.m. Sandy flies in with her own BIG fish! Nice catch! I’m pretty sure I have the identities correct. Sure hope so. Also, she eats slowly in the beginning and I agree with others that she is not as adept at eating her meal as her sibling.
Who brought the fish in at approximately 8:10 CST?
Hi, Karin, have you had a dream that you owned an osprey? I did the other day. Yes, I am addicted, too. My husband, too, asks how the birds are. What are all of us going to do with our spare time? I’m going to get down all the things that I’ve neglected. But, I sure will miss our feathered family.
Hi Marlene, no, I haven’t had that dream yet but one of my favorite day dreams is to have a log cabin on a lake with trees all around and osprey nests all over the place and lots of wild life everywhere and I can sit in front of my floor to ceiling window by my huge stone fire place or out in my tree house with binnoculars and watch the wildlife for hours on end……..now that’s the life! ….. oh yeah, and I will have cameras installed in strategic places in the trees and have my laptop hooked up to a big screen television…….and another part of my day dream is that I will understand how these computers work and I won’t have to ask the 6 or 7 year old across the street how to do something on my lap top…..
I haven’t been on for a while and have missed the Osprey 4 so much. In the nest right now, 7:40 CST, is Sandy. She’s squawking for something, maybe waiting for Gracie to come and feed her? She sure doesn’t seem very happy at the moment. lol. Hope her day gets a little easier and she goes and gets her own breakfast. 🙂
Just watched one of the osprey fly in from the left of screen (beautiful sight) with fish and landed on perch.
12:11 pm EST. One bird in nest. Well not really…she is on stick we call the perch. Has been there for 2 hours alone. I feel sad because i think it is Sandy. Surely she can’t sleep there on it. It is breezy.
Appears that Sandy returned about 9:10 and is now in the nest alone. . As close as I can figure it she has no food since the fish this morning .
Lovely evening scene tonite, Sunday @ 11:30PM eastern.
I see one of our chicks perched way out there on the branch in the nest. Is this Sandy, who always liked to hang out there?
Does anyone know where the other 3 roost (sleep) overnight?
Beautiful shot right now with I think it is the Mom bathed in the moonlight. I am getting real separation anxiety. Hope we can purchase some pictures.
What was going on around 8:30pmEDT? It was almost like the nest was being spotlighted. Sandy must have squeezed himself on to the perch. I know Ronnie went up and I thought I heard Gracie arrive. I knew Sandy was trying to get on there too, so he must have fit on. Cozy….
Around 6:24 p.m., parent returned with half a fish. That Ronnie is unbelievable! Managed to get next to the fish, steal it, and fly away with it even before the parent left the nest. Poor Sandy! For some reason, neither chick brought any fish to the nest this afternoon. Don’t know if it had something to do with the tide, waves, etc. Let’s hope Sandy gets dinner, too. (The reason I refer to Sandy is female and Ronnie as male is because George and Gracie’s kids were that sex. Who knows if the birds follow suit.) Now Ronnie returns to the outer perch with the fish, eating it on that wooden stick. Pretty good balancing act with a fish in his talons.
Around 7:43 p.m., one of the babes finds in the nest a very thin rope with a metal or plastic circle on the end and grabs it and tries to bring it over the sibling. Finally releases it when nest buddy was apparently annoyed with this. Sure hope that thin rope with the circle on the end does not become a problem. I don’t think Paul needs more drama! As of 8:08 p.m., still no dinner for Sandy. Poor baby!
If you have a chance and it’s not too late to view, please check back to the episode I mentioned where George was practically knocked out of the nest by Ronnie and Ronnie almost went over the side with the fish. The look on the chicks’ faces is hysterical. That was some time around 6:05-6:15 p.m.
OMG! At around 6PM both kids in the nest, one of the parents brings a fish to the nest. Kids fighting over it. Parent leaves & there is no fish, did parent take it with him/her?
About 6:30 Ronnie came with a small piece of fish and was eating it on the perch in front of Sandy. I had to turn off my computer at that point. I couldn’t watch Sandy crying for food any more my heart is breaking for her. But then I had to check so I returned, scrolled back and didn’t see Sandy eating and now the nest is empty. I am shutting down again and will check before I go to bed. Hopefully I will find good news later.
Just rewound the video, and this was SOOOO funny! Around 6:15 p.m., both siblings have been crying for food, and one of the parents brought a live whole fish into the nest. Naturally, Ronnie was very aggressive. He practically pushed his parent out of the nest while trying to grab the fish, but the fish fell over the side, and Ronnie almost went overboard with him. The look on the faces of the chicks was too funny — as if to say, “What happened?!?” Now they are both fishless again. Let’s see if the parent brings another one.
About 6:20pmEDT While away feeding my fur children I see that Gracie came through with a partial fish which of course Ronnie got. Sandy.made a good try for it but lost. Ronnie flew to upper perch and moved to stick perch and out again. Sandy talking a good game but no sharzies.
Sandy did a lot of yelling and took off flying down to the water.
About 7:14pm Sandy flew right back in and hit Ronnie, knocking her over and she flew out,\. Looked deliberate!
I had to rewatch that and laugh!!! When Ronnie came back, (and I know I’m adding human emotions) she almost looked like she was checking him out and saying “What the hell was that for?” It’s hard not to add commentary on something like that!
About 20 min. ago Ronnie showed up then shortly after Sandy flew in neither brought in any fish. Sandy had a fish this morning and I am sure that Ronnie did not go all day without food/ Ronnie may be eating her catch on a perch somewhere. So now both are in the nest without any food. Both calling for food even thought both know how to fish on there own. Still have not seen George or Gracie today. Just a thought–is it possible that Gracie left knowing that both her babies are fishing and feeding themselves. The timeframe would fit with her leaving before the others. If so I know we all wish her well on her journey and hope that the storms in the Caribbean won’t impact her journey. We will see you in the spring!!! But where is George he should still be here.
ps He would probably get a little freaked out if I turned my head to nibble on the back of my shirt. 🙂
both chicks are in the nest right now but neither has a fish…….I think I saw them check out each others feet to see if the other had a fish…
I see sib came home, probably all smelling of fish(kidding) and picking her beak. Showoff!
…….so how is one able to identify an osprey watcher????????? Please,.. allow me……. My husband was telling me something the other day and I sat up taller and moved my head side to side and bobbing a little….. He said, ” Okay, Grace! ” ……. Yup… he watches too.. 🙂
I have been checking in on and off today. I’ve seen only Sandy in the nest. She was raising cane early this morning, wanting to be fed no doubt. No one came so she went and got it herself. It’s late in the afternoon now and she appears to be hungry again, and wanting someone to get it for her. She’s flown off twice now and returned empty handed. I worry about her a bit. When it comes time to migrate will she be Ok.
I don’t know where everyone else is or how they spent their day, maybe all will return for the evening.
I would not make a good osprey mom….I heard Gracie on the perch and the kid is begging. It may be the plan to let it get really hungry to get it to feed itself, but I would have brought it lunch, dinner dessert and a toy by now. The poor baby is crrryyyyiiinnngggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Noticed there was one of the babes in the nest for about an hour this afternoon, just hanging out, lying down. I know that’s usually Sandy’s routine, but I think it was Ronnie. I think he was waiting for a fish delivery. He never squawked, which is Sandy’s thing to do, and he eventually flew away and didn’t chirp while flying. That’s why I think it was Ronnie. Also, I think some of the markings on his face were his. But, I’m still having a hard time differentiating. They are both so pretty.
I am now convinced it was Sandy with the 8:45 fish catch because she was just finishing up that same fish at 10:30. Ronnie would have gobbled that fish up well before that. Sandy eats slowly. She finished and left. Returned about 12 and stayed till about 1:40. She spent some time laying down in the nest for quite a while. No alarms were sounded for her to do this so I just think she is still not ready to leave this nest. Has anyone seen George. Gracie or Ronnie today? I have been watching and haven’t seen them.
Someone just shrieked on to perch….Sandy?
Around noon one flew in to sit on rim of nest….think it’s Ronnie
I’m about to give up guessing…now I think this is Sandy…no Spock brows
Is that Sandy waiting for the pizza delivery?
Hmmmm. Can anyone definitively say whether Ronnie or Sandy brought the fish this morning. We need name tags on these two.
At approximately 8:50 a.m., one of the fledges flies in with a whole fish. I’m guessing that it’s Sandy, because she always takes her time tackling her meal. After about 40 minutes she flies off, leaving half of the fish. One of her parents who was on the perch comes down and finishes the breakfast. It’s nice the way the parents finish any leftovers.
. About 8:45amEDT A kid…?.Ronnie I think….brought in a bit flopping fish. I scrolled back and did not see an adult deliver it first. She doesn’t seem to know what to do next. Too lively maybe? STEP AWAY FROM THE EDGE!!!!!! I still feel sorry for the fish……..About 9 George brought in seaweed and was checking out fish, under protest of kid.
About 10:25 Kid has left fish in nest and George drops in to eat it…There’s a switch!
around 8:50 Ronnie brought back a fish..Happy to see he?she learned to wait for the fish to stop flapping before he brings to ledge..
About 8:45 a.m. Sandy came with a very alive fish. I am pretty sure it was Sandy because some time age Sandy from Massapequa gave us a tip to telling the babies apart. She observed that Sandy has thinner legs than Ronnie. Ronnie’s legs a quite heavier on the top portion. That is how I have been telling them apart. It’s worked for me. I have checked this theory out especially when I know it is Sandy based on her behavior and do notice that her legs are long and thin. That is how I determined it was Sandy bringing in this fish Also I just looked at the nest and she is eating and as we have observes she has more difficulty feeding herself. Ronnie would have been much more finished than she is right now. Maybe she is more of a lady than Ronnie.
On that note have we determined that they were are both female or are we now thinking that Ronnie is a male. I thought that since they both had “necklaces” (spots on chest) they were female. Some of us are saying “he” some say “she” referring to Ronnie
I am pretty sure Sandy is definitely female but is Ronnie he or she?
Jo-Ann, thanks for supporting my theory on who is who. I still think Ronnie is male due to his aggression? I’m glad to see Sandy fishing for herself. Ronnie better step up his game. : )
I’ve been checking the underneath of the tail feathers for their sex. I’ve owned cockatiels for a very long time, both male and female. I got into an argument at a pet store with an employee one time over what the sex of the cockatiel I had in my hand. They wanted to argue on the color of their head and cheeks, not the under tail feathering. Female birds normally have (stripes) dithering on the under tail feathers as opposed to the males which do not have this pattern. That is one sign on how to determine the sex, besides coloring on most birds. Not sure with geese, still trying to figure that one out, lol.
I think also that they both maybe female.
Someone, I think Sandy, flew into the nest about 20 min ago with a nice size fish.
Just watched presumably Ronnie come to nest with a huge fish, almost as long as Ronnie. Fish with head & very lively. Ronnie had a hard time with subduing fish. Poor fish was struggling, but Ronnie was patient. When he proceeded to eat, he did it so skillfully. The head was gone so quickly, I thought I might have missed something & had to scroll back. But this chick has learned how to eat a fish!
Question to Karin: your comment on Aug 29th “there is a parent on the camera just watching her………”
Please, tell me how you KNOW that.??? The only way I can tell if I hear some one above or the camera is slightly shacking.
Other people also have used the word “see” that there is some one on the above perch.
Am I missing something??? Been watching from day one.
At around 8:45 am today, yes, I saw several dives on the right, way in the distance, and then same bird flew to the left with an attempt, my first sighting of an actual dive.
Sunday morning coming down. RH
Rodee, I think I understand what your getting at. Besides sometimes hearing them or seeing the camera shake you can’t actually see them but depending on the direction of the sun you might be able to see a shadow on the nest from whom ever is sitting up there. If it is a parent and they just hop down then you might know but other than that I think it is just a guess when they say they ” see a parent “.
Hi Rodee….. Sometime I can see the shadow of the bird that is on the camera, sometimes the camera will catch the end feathers of a wing… also yes, the camera will shake sometimes when they call..and when they land or take off….. as far as it being a parent, I know by the call….. The chicks have not made the same call as the adults do ( especially when Grace is calling to George to bring fish….
Hi Rodee, I did try to answer you but I do not see where it should say my comment is awaiting moderation… If it does not show up I will answer you again… ( this is a test message to see if i screwed up the first answer comment…
Someone flew into the nest around 7:50 this morning. Started eating a fish that was apparently left there earlier, yuck. Got a chance to see one of the birds do some diving, looking for fish. Never came to the nest with one though
7:51am one kid just got a new stripe from someone up above.
About 8:25am George dropped in with seaweed and to rearrange…..where’s the FISH !!!!
About 6:42amEDT Gracie flew in and seemed to be tripping over loose sticks but those hawk-eyes had spotted some leftovers. .Enjoying her morning nosh. Kids not in sight. Peaceful mommy moments.
About 7:15 a kid flew in. Think it’s Sandy….bit whiny Gracie may still be on perch. The wasps seem to be “bugging” him as he can’t settle.
Meant kid was whiny, not Gracie.
Thank you George & Gracie, for placing that sturdy perch out the right side of nest! Watching the chick learning to relax and snooze on it for future comfort!!
Tonight’s Supermoon is truly spectacular!!! It is so bright, almost looks like daylight illuminating the nest!!
At 6:18 p.m., a parent delivered a whole fish which was grabbed by Ronnie. At 7:05 p.m., another fish delivery, but this time for Sandy. They both should be full.
8:00pm Someone got pooped on !
I’m so happy to see them each have a fish tonight. Now I don’t have to try to tell who is who!
Question for the experts: Is it possible that an osprey family take over (take possession) of another family’s nest? I rewound to sometime I’d say at 4:30pm or so today and saw how a third chick landed in the nest. The two siblings were chirping like crazy and then another osprey came and escorted the third chick off the nest. At least that’s what it seemed like to me. At first I thought it was Gracie getting that third chick out. But, then I saw one of the two chicks peck at that other one. Just wondering if one osprey family would ever let another take over its nest.
EST:
I’m not a expert but am a “Ospreyzoner” and was watching yesterday as it happened. My observation was third chick in nest was starving and looking for food. As I looked at it and saw how small and thin it was, my feelings were maybe a third chick that hatched later, (still had a lot of white on tips of feathers), and by the weight will have a hard time on the journey. Sadly, I feel parents have left for the south just as I think “mom” from our nest has, and George, well it’s time …. anyway, George flew off the perch above, talons out and closely chased baby away.
I saw George twice today but not on 100% of the time.
When there is an intruder our babies now look up, spread wings with a slight “puff” in feathers from slightly waving up and down and squawk loudly.
Bonnie – thanks much for your observation. I don’t watch the nest consistently. So, do you think Gracie has left the nest?! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Gracie, unless I’m getting her mixed up with George. I guess we’ll know soon enough when the nest is always empty. Makes me a little sad…. 🙁
I am wondering how our chicks and parents recognize each other so quickly vs. the visiting fledgling or another adult? They know very quickly by sight, but how? Does anyone know how they do this?
Is this Long Island Sound? It’s such a peaceful scene with the sailboats and speedboats. The fledglings seem mesmerized and so am I.
It’s Gardiners Bay.
Thank you Jeff. It’s a beautiful area.
Wow! Around 4:37 p.m., there was a flyby. I believe it was two strange ospreys. Sandy started her alert call, and one of the birds on our perch went after them and chased them away. Good work!!
George delivers a whole fish around 4:00 p.m., and both chicks are in the nest. I’m sure it is grabbed by Ronnie. George’s expression seems to say, “Let me get out of here before he bites my foot!”
Two foreign chicks showed up – our kids forcefully evicted them!