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Bald Eagles Visit Nest
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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.
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
Hi can you fix the camera I can only see the ass of the osprey on the platform at 11:50 am thanks
I just wish the camera was centered more to the right… we miss a lot.
Hi all! Been watching but haven’t posted till now. 11:24 am, Mar 31st. watching osprey try to stay stable on rt. side of nest, back to us, cannot see head. Hoping it is George!!!!
The bird that arrived at approx 10:50 AM when caught in flight in a screen shot looks exactly like George.
Gina M I was just about to ask you if you notice the black markings on the Osprey I too slow the speed down and got a screenshot of the Osprey coming in before he went to the right corner and I think it’s George. The markings on the legs and his beak and head look the same to me I’m glad someone agrees . We just need Gracie !!
Come on Gracie we know George is going to step it up this year.
I am so glad you think so too!
I also think George will be more on his game this year- he got the hang of it by the end of the summer last year. 🙂
Osprey on the nest can’t see who it is because we can’t see he is out of camera range. He is holding on for dear life so windy. Hope Gracie comes soon.
Osprey just flew in the nest around 11 today Thursday
Hey — someone just flew in about 10 minutes ago, and it’s perched on the far right, just right outside of camera range 🙂
11:00 am rear of bird visible on right side of nest – can hear her/him calling from time to time. Heavy wind noise as well.
Yeeesh, I think we need one of those fuzzy wind-mutes on the cam’s mic! LOL Glad to hear those familiar calls though. Can’t wait for the “nestorations” to begin 🙂
It’s Thurs 3/31/16 7:23 am Hope to see them building their nest soon!!
wow heck of a storm!
Yesterday my granddaughter went to the St Louis Zoo and saw a man there with an Osprey Zone T-shirt on. She said it looked just like hers and she wanted to say something to the man but she was to afraid. 🙂 I thought it was kinda cool 🙂
There has been a lot of questions here is the answer to one going by my records the arrival date of George and Gracie last year was in April. The male usually arrives first
Once we see to ospreys on the nest together interacting and look at the markings we should be able to identify George and Gracie. I think George is here Gracie is still up for questioning. I think we have a new Osprey visiting our nest and that’s why George hasn’t started to prepare the nest yet he hasn’t seen Gracie.. Our osprey family was always about 3 to 4 weeks behind most of the other ospreys even when it came to leaving George didn’t leave till around September 27 many left earlier than that. Also another question that came about last year was the first season with George and Gracie having babies. According to Tommy the year prior to last year was late July and he knew that it was probably too late to have babies they attempted mating but was never successful they spent their time making the nest together and bonding then returned last year and we have our osprey family .
Thank you for the information. Very helpful 🙂
almost forgot….4:18 pm ct
That makes me feel much better. Fingers crossed they will be back soon.
Thank you for this information. I was getting a little anxious at not seeing both our birds. I’ve seen some nests near my job with both Ospreys back and was worried maybe we wouldn’t have our family back. Hopefully, they will be back in sync soon. Looking forward to a great season.
Aidan, thank you so much for all you do to help Tommy and any others with this site. It is one of the neatest things I’ve ever had the privaledge to observe, and am very thankful for those of you that make it happen. I do have a question for you, and Tommy, or anyone else. Do you think we will be able to positively identify if the Osprey that make their nest here are George and Gracie from last year? I know each of us will love watching any of them, but there is a special place in all of our hearts for those two and Sandy and Ronnie. Just wondering your thoughts, Tommy, as I find it hard to find any “for sure” markings. Thanks.
Thank you Aiden. Will try to keep up with activities.
I never see any answers but here goes….do we know for sure our birds are ok? 🙂
Has anyone actually seen Gracie yet? Does anyone know when she arrived last year? Thanks!
9:48 am CT A few Ospreys flying around and landing on the nest. I think the new Osprey with the darker face is trying to claim it for himself.
Was George’s departure last year ahead or behind others from this area? Curious as to if that may be why he hasn’t arrived yet???
Hi..Gracie left Sept 8th..Ronnie, not sure, around the 12th…George and Sandy left together on Sept 27th..
Hi Aiden….thank you for keeping the web sit up and going … I know I speak for all us osprey lovers
who was squawking on the nest a few minutes ago?
A lot of calling going on from this Osprey and from the sounds in the background I’d say there are a few others in the area.
Hi everyone,
We have a small request, which many of you are already fulfilling: when you see something interesting happen, post a comment with a time stamp. This will help us keep track of things we might want to upload as highlights, as well as let other viewers know what’s been happening.
Thank you!
(This comment will stay at the top for visibility.)
Will do 🙂
Hi Aidan. I”m laughing at the date your post shows and wondering if in my advancing years I have missed a few weeks in time ? ( April 13, 2016 ) :))))))))
Hi, Gamma. Don’t worry, it’s not you! I set up the post to stay at the top for a little while so everyone sees it, which made the date wrong.
LIES!!! You are a spaceman from the future!! 😉
Hi Aidan!
Thanks for all your work work with the camera. I was wondering if it could be tilted a little more downward to see the whole nest?
There was talk about a new camera this year- pan, tilt , zoom – I know these are very expensive. Many of us would gladly donate money toward it.
HI, nice to meet you, so ive made a suggestion to replace this comment section with http://www.spot.im, it’s easy to setup and i’ve added this to sites before. anyways it’s a great replacement, we can have our own accounts, comments come up instantly and we can talk in real time and it can be used on mobile devices for people who use ipads, iphones, e.c.t, you can also assign moderators to make sure there is no spam or inappropriate comments, it would really be nice to have, if you need any help, i can help, thanks.
Read about it on the site i posted, it would be a great replacement for this comment section.
In response to “mac”
This question came up before, yea, those two sticks….. Why are they there.??????
I imagine those were left on purpose to anchor all the material brought in by G & G.
These strong winds would otherwise blow anything smaller away, puff…. gone.
Aiden/Tommy is that the correct answer? Thanks, Rodee
Hey Aidan, Glad to help you any way we can!
Thanks for all you do,
gina
Hi Aiden! Thanks for all the updates! I’m looking forward to this year’s nest!
With pleasure..
osprey is on the perch– 11:20 am– really wish the camera angle was better!
Hi Aiden, just want to let you know much I (and all of us for that matter) appreciate the work you do to keep up this site! And thanks to everyone else involved w/ OspreyZone!. It’s such an unbelievable experience to be able to watch this. I was hooked last summer and am so looking forward the new nesting year!
4:48pm cst, osprey has been sitting for some time now. Do have screen shot if you would like, just need e-mail address incase you miss this by more than 4hrs.
2 Ospreys this morning!
7am Saturday April 2nd two birds on the nest. One flapping the wings like Gracie did when George brought food. They’re back!
7am Saturday April 2nd two birds on the nest. One flapping the wings like Gracie did when George brought food. They’re back! OMG their are three of them making a racket.
4/2/16 4:29pm. The nest right now has more sticks and even sea weed then it has had. I wont assume how it got there yet 🙂
Hello!! Thanks for helping! It is a great site to watch!
Thank you Aiden for your work. It has given so many of us great pleasure. Is it possible to change the camera angle so that it encompasses the entire nest and hopefully the Osprey as well when they are in it? George as I am sure you know, liked to sit on the pole outside the nest and if we know he is there, it makes our experience so much more fulfilling. If you cannot, so be it. Thanks again.
6:44pm…just checked in and thrilled to see life at the nesting site!!
Aidan about 7am on 4/3 Osprey, snow and the nest foundation. Perhaps a highlight? Cheers
Wonderful.
Sun, Apr 2, 2016 7pm. Serious pair-bonding activity for the past hour including 2 mating acts and food offerings. Plus just hanging out together. I don’t know if it’s Gracie but they appear committed.
Good evening Aidan –
Am delighted to know you and thank you so much for your work.
This little family has become so important not only to us but also to those others that watch on You Tube. Now that George and Gracie are finally back, I know that they are a source of great pleasure and fascination to all of us.
Am wondering how the camera angle can be changed so that we can get the entire nest with George and Gracie instead of one and a portion of the other – it might also be that when they have this year’s babies, we will not be able to get all of them either.
Please let us know if we can contribute in any way towards making this happen.
Thank you so much for your work and for bringing such joy to us.
Hi Aiden,
I guess I selected to be notified by email of new posts and comments and wish to undo that. I’m afraid my inbox will overflow! I will come to the site to view postings. Can you remove my email from the follow up comments? Sorry for the bother and thank you for the great work.
Anxiously awaiting George and Gracie. But have a question which may have been asked already. Was wondering why the pieces of wood are placed on the floor of the platform. Wouldn’t this make it more difficult for the little ones to move around. Thanks. have a nice day.
I was wondering the same thing. I hope someone can answer.
Looks like George but can only see the rear – but the feathers look like him
when will the ospreys start to built their nest?
Osprey with fish at 8:45 am. Back to camera
Some really good footage of the nest this morning. Osprey landed with fish, did some calling and then flew off leaving the fish.
I scrolled back and in the past 1 1/2 hrs that Osprey made at least 3 appearances.
I can hear him/her so I assume its on the perch. Doing some serious calling again.
There is an osprey chirping away in the nest today 7:54 am . When do they actually start rebuilding their nest, or is that the mom’s job?
About 6:05 am osprey flew in and stayed for a bit. Flew out about 6:18 am.
Rjoneal, I didn’t see the two ospreys together yesterday. That is a hopeful sign.
I think the only way we can positively id George is if we ask Tommy to put some windshield wipers on his lawn… if they wind up on the nest, we know it is George since we know he finds them irresistible! 🙂
I hope we will be able to positivly identify that it is George and Gracie that nest at this site again. However I know we will love watching whoever makes their home here. As for several comments about some of the Osprey being darker than the pictures we have from last year, remember, they spent several months in the tropics! Nice tan!!!
Too funny,Leesa !!
Gina M I agree with you George is definitely here and I do think the Osprey we saw today is another intruder adult male however I do believe Gracies here the pictures of the two ospreys flying off together yesterday appear to be Gracie and George And yesterday what I think was Gracie was calling and yelling out to George like she did last year when she wanted food but not positive keeping my fingers cross it is Gracie maybe she’s just waiting for George to start building the nest up. Only time will tell we all can keep guessing but I guess were just gonna sit back and wait and see who finally decides to mate on the nest this year.
I may be wrong, of course, but it seems to me that there are two males vying for possession of the nest. One, I really think is George, based on comparing screen shots of him from last year that I took. The other, seems like a younger bird who may not know the ropes yet. I think maybe when Gracie returns the matter will be settled by her. If I remember correctly, she doesn’t like interlopers!
I think you are absolutely correct.
thanks, helen!
To your question the female does not usually arrive first the male arrives at the nest first usually.
The female leaves first after having the babies and the male stays behind a little bit longer.
10:50 back and chirping away!
9:59 someone (Osprey) landed and chirped and took off.
Tuesday morning around 7:54 AM Gracies on nest yelling for George hopefully he’s gone fishing. Brings back old memories you would think George would be ahead of the game and have a fish ready by now George was at the nest earlier this morning as well.
Osprey perched at 7:50am, can’t see as head is out of camera view
Quite a windy day!!
Tuesday morning somewhere between 630 and 7 AM Osprey on the nest for a little while for those who want to scroll back. I’m hoping they start rebuilding the nest soon. This will help them bond so hopefully they will begin the courtship and mating.
Doesn’t the female usually show up first?
I was watching the early videos, like “breakfast is served” and “June 25, 2015″ and had a good laugh! George arrives with fish and Gracie greets him like…”hi, Honey, thank you so much, may I have some, please?” The Gracie I remember was more like..” GIMME THAT FISH AND GET OUT!!!!” Pressure of motherhood I guess….. Be interesting to see their relationship this year….
And the discussion continues….I did the scroll back and saw what appeared to be the same osprey land on the nest, with and without fish, looking very comfortable. There appeared to be speckles lightly marking the breast, but I didn’t see a dot under the right wing. Was it on the right side? Dunh, duhn, duhn, duuuhhn….who do we have here?
Cutchogue,,,Verizon Vic’s mate arrived either yesterday or today…she was there this a.m., with both sitting on nest…have to name the mrs….torn between Velma and Vera…..let’s go with Vera….
I wish the camera was turned a little more to the right… George was so close to it but his head was completely out of frame 🙁
So exciting that our family is arriving! Today I’ve noticed 2 Ospreys flying close together out over the water. Is it most likely George and Gracie, or do other Osprey fly through their territory during this time of year? I sure hope Gracie is home! Ready to relax!!!
I hope everyone saw Gracie came to the nest with half of fish George was up on the perch and Gracie left George came by and Gracie returned. I got several pictures of both of them what a wonderful day G&G You better hurry up and get started on that nest
2:59 PDT I am not sure that this male is George. If you look back at the highlights and scroll down to clips you will find 2 , Hard to Get and Dinner is Served. Comparing the feathers on this Osprey with the one who was on the nest at about 4:20 NY time , this Ospreys head looks much darker. This is all assuming that the Osprey from the clips is the George from last year. I also didn’t think that the Gracie from the clips looked like the same one from last year, so who knows ! :))
Gracie, sweetheart, where are you? George is watching and waiting for you and so are we!
There’s something comforting about listening to the Osprey’ s call.
The one that landed a little before 5pm was not George. The face was too dark.
George is back again @ 5:20 EDT…..I getting worried about Gracie…..George is so patient…..he had a big fish for lunch….he’s hanging out on the upper deck…
Sorry – “are” mind boggling.
Waiting anxiously for Gracie. Hope she fared well during her journey. The distance covered and obstacles encountered is mind boggling.
I just went back and compared the bird on the nest to the highlights from June and I dont think it’s George. This new bird seems to have a darker head and markings on its right leg. I checked the highlights and cant find those markings on either of George’s or Gracie’s right leg. I hope I’m wrong though because I do miss our birds.
You’re right, Leanne. That bird is not George. The face is much darker.
That Osprey’s face was much darker and it had markings on it’s right foot which I couldnt find on George in any of the highlights. I also saw a dark spot on the bird under its right wing but it was larger and closer to the leg than on Gracie. I think the Osprey who has been visiting is exactly that, just visiting. 🙂
Saw an Osprey perched the platform for approx. 10 minutes 4:55 to 5:05. Assume it was George.
Question– I believe the Male arrives earlier than the Female. Does anyone know when Gracie arrived in 2015?
It was not George. The osprey that you saw has a darker face than George.
4:54 PM. I think that’s George alright. Better get to building the nest!
Osprey just landed on nest and was carrying a hunk of fish. Flew up to perch. George??
That I believe is George. He landed on the nest with a fish around 1:30pm today….It looks like the same markings George has. so Exciting…..
At 1:35 EDT George landing for 30 seconds on the railing with a half eaten fish….This is his home….it is very rainy & windy today…
As I was leaving work last night, I was pleased to see George take off from his pole. I stopped to watch as he gracefully swooped and circled, then started flying towards me…feeling honored, as if he were saying hello, I watched, mesmerized by his beauty, to see, just in time to run, the famous white squirt ribboning through the air!!!! So much for our friendship, buddy!!!!!
I agree Carol. That’s George, Gracie had the necklace markings on her chest. I would suggest a clear umbrella for future viewing. Boys will be boys! Cheers
I hope he starts building the nest soon, can’t lay eggs without a nest.
Sorry!!!That was Verizon Vic that I was watching. George on the brain!!!!!!
Finally got to see our boy, George !!!! Scrolled back to about 1:45ishEDT and he was in the nest calling and looking around….It very much looks like his head markings, so I agree with those who have identified him as George. Now on Gracie watch!!!
Happy Easter everyone, I hope you enjoyed our Easter present George making several trips to the nest just waiting for Gracie. Come on
Gracie come home..
March 27 a adults osprey was on the nest . Maybe it was George.
Could be Gracie she spread her wings and had the dark spot under it. Was vocals like before. She seems to be checking the nest out. She is going to need help from George to rebuild it.
I think it is one of ours….
One just arrived. Maybe one of ours?????
This is an adult . Maybe they are confused because they have to make the nest again.
It is 1:33pm on March 27 and the osprey is on the nest. I don’t think it is Gracie.
8:17 PDT Don’t know when this will post. Osprey on nest about 2 hrs ago, doing some calling out. Stayed for a few minutes then left. Did not face camera so I dont know if it was male or female or if it was Osprey from last year.
Happy Easter everyone. Scrolled back to about 7am and there is that young one at the nest!
Happy Easter!! Was that George at about 6:30 AM this morning??
Hi Everyone: Patiently waiting for George and Gracie’s return!!! Checking in everyday! It won’t be long now!!!
The early bird catches a glimpse of the baby eagles! on DC eaglecam…Mom was up early picking at leftovers. The chicks were butt-to-butt, looking like a two-headed flufffball… When Mom went to feed them, dominant behavior has already started. 6 and 8 days old and one was pushing ahead and pecking at the other. There always seems to be plenty of food laying around, so hopefully there will continue to be enough for everyone.
I’m hoping for our future brood that bunker die-off doesn’t happen again this year. This may have contributed to the lose of Peewee last year, but we will never know..
Cheasapeake osprey nest growing quickly…amazing how long some of those branches are!
And on ospreytrax..latest updates showing good progress for Rob’s birds, with some arrivals up north, others still on the move.
Rounded out my morning…now to join the fun at work….humbug……..
I don’t know who the visitor was today but he/she hung around for about an hour. A real cutie too 🙂
I’ve compared photos and that is DEFINITELY George at 5:00. He looks like he is getting ready to start fixing up the nest.
On another note- true to form as last year- my ospreys returned to their nest today- on March 25th- just like last year.
Come on Gracie! We miss you!!!
Arrivals…Verizon Vic is back on his post in Cutchogue!!!!!! Came in today right on sched. and was feasting on a big ole fish when I spotted him. Also, both birds are back on their nest in Flanders, corner of rts. 24/105. They obligingly flew in as I was waiting at the light; one went right over my sunroof!(good thing I was already stopped!) Plus, I spotted an osprey on a nest that is set up on a small island in the Peconic River and seen from rt. 105. I don’t always get to notice this nesting post as I cross a bridge over the river, so that was a lucky view! Wonder if they all followed this storm front?
Anyhow, now we need Ms. Gracie.
I may be wrong – just don’t know.