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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
TOUGH TO WATCH.. SIBLING IS TRYING TO KILL THE LITTLE ONE!!
7:29….LITTLE GUY GOT ATTACKED BY A SIBLING. LOOKS HURT
George comes in this morning around 6:10am with no fish and Gracie was quite upset. I can imagine the conversation going like this, “What! you come home from a night of gallivanting and didn’t think to stop and get us some food? Can’t you see your babies are hungry? I’m here with them hollering and fighting all night while you out having a good time, and you come home empty handed! Get out of here and don’t come back without our breakfast!!!”
Time for all of us to be better caretakers of our waters. The effect of nitrogen overload has been displayed twice this year with fish kills in the Peconic Bay. The excessive nitrogen causes a depletion of life sustaining oxygen in the water. The East End of Long Island needs sewers and water treatment facilities. I’m no scientist however, I believe this would improve water quality and increase fish population- more food for our nesters.
Steve drops by empty handed and Rachel was not impressed and let him know it.. He was off in a flash.
Watching Steve feed Rachel last night would have been such a beautiful and heart warming site had the 3 chicks been full.
Some have mentioned the interesting moment when George fed Gracie some fish. From watching another Osprey nest in Hellgate (Missoula), Iris and Stanley are the parent O’s there. Last year Stanley started doing the same thing with Iris when times were rough and she liked it so he kept it up from time to time. From what someone in the know said, that’s usually something done in courtship between the two O’s when bonding in their new relationship. But, it was said to also be a form of affection and comfort from the male to the female, especially during times of stress and even loss.
Stanley and Iris had 3 eggs this year that were close to hatching. A horribly strong hail storm blew through and as hard as Iris tried to protect the eggs with Stanley trying to cover Iris, the eggs were damaged and all 3 were lost. Luckily Iris and Stanley survived but all of us followers of the Hellgate nest were devastated, just like those following the Hog Island nest. But the wonderful thing is, Iris and Stanley have stayed on at Hellgate since. They have been closer than ever, fly together, eat together and work together on bringing new branches to the nest even though it was not meant to be for them as parents this year. Stanley still is feeding Iris on occasion and in both of them bonding as they have been, have also made us followers feel very hopeful for them and next year. What is also ironic is that the area has been incredibly hot (prediction of 105 approx today) with no rain in quite some time now. The river is low and warm so the fish are going deeper where it’s cooler, making it hard for the O’s in the area to fish. Had the eggs survived and hatched, it could have been a case of watching them starve to death, no fault of their parents. Nature works in mysterious ways and while she’s often hard, she can also be incredibly beautiful. So, with George feeding Gracie, I’d like to think he was trying to soothe and reassure her. Maybe that’s me putting human characteristics on them but there is precedence for this feeding behavior with other O’s.
DebbieOrtiz, I watch Stanley and Iris also and was heartbroken when they lost their eggs. It’s funny how we get so emotionally involved, but that’s our nature. I haven’t been on in a while to see how they’re doing because I’m so completely infatuated with George and Gracie, so thanks for the update. I’ll be sure to go on today to check them out.
I watch a couple of other Osprey nests. Last year, the one at Game Farm on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, NY, Olive and Olin were trying to figure things out, Olin being a newbie mate and Dad. He would leave for hours at a time and the chatters were getting very angry with him because he wasn’t providing, myself included. Come to find out, one of the reasons was that there were many intruders in the area and he was often defending the nest, sometimes flying for his own life while being chased back to the nest by other raptors who wanted the food he was carrying back to Olive and the kids. Another pair at Dunrovin Ranch last year, Ozzie & Harriet, had a magnificent relationship and family. They were adored. Sadly, near the end of the season, Ozzie was attacked by an eagle and killed for the food he was carrying home to his family. Harriet carried on and the family fledged successfully. I mention these things because we shouldn’t judge George too harshly, nor Gracie. We don’t know the whole story of what’s going on there and why things are being done the way they are. These birds know what they’re doing a lot better than we do! We look at things from our human perspective and often are wrong in doing so. Maybe Gracie and George are making mistakes, but what parent doesn’t! They are doing the best they know how and they both must keep their strength up and eat too or they will be no good to their family, especially George who is expending all that energy. He went from providing for just himself to providing for 5 now. That’s a lot of hustling to do and with the weather being what it has been, it’s hard to fish when sea conditions are rough. We all need to try and relax and cut them a break!
I agree 100% with your comment. Human parents have a chance to get away for a little when grandparents or others take over. Birds don’t get that chance. We can provide the answers, but we are a different species and think differently. All parents do their best to protect their children, whether human or other. I just check in from time and time and hope for the best for all.
I wish disqus was the comment system, we could see live comments and such.
I’ll look into it, I’d like to find a better solution as well.
Disqus isn’t perfect, but no system is. On the Audubon live cam sites (explore.com) they use Disqus and have a “Featured Comment” So they can make an update or provide information and have it stay at the top of the comment stream. I think that would be very useful for you.
Thanks, I’ll take a look at it.
Is there anyway we can post how many fish are delivered each day. Whether it’s a complete fish or part of a fish?
When are the bigger ospreys going to leave the nest? What will happen to the little one then, if it’s still alive? Will the parents continue to feed it?
The little if he gets enough food and gets bigger should be like this:
I don’t think he will get enough food. The other 2 always knock him down, even when they are not eating.
So the last feeding didn’t go well for the little one. Again was attacked. Even after the feeding was over as soon as the little one picked up its head, it was attacked. Can someone who is familiar with this species explain to me. Survival of the fittest I can understand, but the pecking of this little guy when there is no food around, I can’t understand
I think the camera has been shut down. With everyone freaking out about the runt being abused (me included), maybe they thought it was best. Is anyone else having problems?
No, it’s working fine for me,
Yes, I had too could not see anything.. Came up error try again later ….
Well once again, the little one took a beating. Can someone tell me why? Why do the bigger 2 peck at him even when they are not eating? Every time the little one picks up his head, they knock him down. All that pecking & grabbing at his head & neck has to be so painful. The mom & dad should peck the bigger birds every once in a while to let them know how it feels.
Thank you for the stats JB. Very interesting.
Thank you for offering us this glimpse into the nest of these magnificent birds.
I have always cherished them from “below” living near a nest, never knowing what went on inside the nest. I have watched them take branches and fortify their homes, seen the babies peek over the edge and even saw the flying lessons. Nothing compares to this.
I am ever so grateful to you – seeing these ospreys from an osprey’s point of view.
Trying to follow all the posts, but there are so many. Can someone tell me why there is so much “bullying” going on? I understand survival of the fittest. The bigger birds are pecking the little guy even when there is no fighting over food. Just saw little one had been pecked, was just lying there. The other 2 were not eating. As soon as little guy lifted his head one of the other ones attacked him.
Even when the little one is under the mom/dad, its getting pecked at.
Hi bird watchers, At 6:00, there was such a beautiful moment where George fed Gracie and Gracie fed the littlest one. I played it over and over… to watch the love between those three, even for one moment. If you can view it, please do.
I had to scroll back to find the last feeding and found it very disturbing that the male was feeding the female while the youngest sat there with its little mouth open wanting food so bad. And yes I do realize this is nature but I still cant help but think that some , be it humans or animals should not be parents. am watching this site off and on in hopes the little one makes it but it is not one I am enjoying as we watch them grow.
At around 6 pm George brought a fish and started feeding Gracie mouth to mouth . I never saw this before between the adults. .
I don’t really see the little one as being the weakest and therefore should not survive because he is somehow unfit. I see him as a victim of his age, the fact he was hatched last. He was at a disadvantage from the start and therefore has to really fight to survive. He has shown great character, a strong will to live, a smart approach and enduring attitude. If he survives, he will have the best strength of character of the three and will really be prepared to handle all that’s thrown at him in the tough life of birds. I want him to survive not only for him and because I can’t stand the thought he won’t, but because of the three I think he deserves it the most! If given the chance, he will grow into a strong and healthy bird! Hang in there little one, you’ve got my support and a lot of love from all those watching you!
Very well said. Hear, hear!
I just couldn’t watch the live feed for the last hour or so, but I was wondering if the baby is still alive?
Mom is eating most of this fish. Dad is not bringing enough food to the nest. When there’s enough food for all, there is less bullying. But these are hungry chicks. The littlest one looked to have a noticeable crop as though he’s been fed…..
I saw them all eat. George took a great big bite of the tail of the fish in one chunk. He flew off to find more fish, I am sure. I think Gracie has figured a way to make sure Little One gets fed. Who knows? Maybe George or Gracie was a runt that grew up to be the strongest of them all?
I am new to this site but it seems if the runt is submissive to his older siblings they kind of back off a little.
BostonBean, I have popped into this site occasionally and caught a few feedings and have noticed the mother eating her fair share before feeding any chicks and then the two biggest get fed until at times it looks like their crops will burst. Even then they wont let the little one eat. Something tells me they are new parents. After watching Steve and Rachel with their two and how she seemed to always feed them first I get the impression they dont know what they are doing !!
Gamma, Hog Island is very different. Food is plentiful. The chicks are well fed which reduces or eliminates altogether the bullying. Rachel doesn’t have to deal with it because it doesn’t exist – and not attributable to her being better skilled at getting food to the youngest but directly due to lots of fish being delivered – not the case here where there is fierce competition. Seems everyone is hungry including mom and dad. Today, George brought a fish, and he and Gracie ate a good part of it. That was unusual in that George ate part of the fish himself on the nest. I don’t believe I recall Steve ever eating fish that he brought back for the family.
George is the total culprit in this whole scenario. He’s NOT bringing back enough “bacon” or fish
to feed this hungry brood. Poor Gracie is just squawking and squawking for him to “get the heck
back to the nest ” with some food! Maybe it has something to do with the huge fish kill near Riverhead
due to red tide (which, in my opinion is to be blamed on the sewage treatment plant releasing nitrogens
into the bay). With thousands of bunker at the dump, fishing for them is hard. It is just so so sad to keep
seeing this drama unfold, with no resolve. I hope he can pick up the pace and get the food to his babies!
Oh, btw, do they eat meat? or only fish? What will happen to a dead chicklet in the nest? Anyone know?
this is gonna make this lil guy smarter & stronger, i have watched this in bald eagles nest, we have to hope for the best, but it is making him smarter
I feel this is very difficult to watch or understand. Its not our place to understand it. I do believe a human intervention would be great however I realize this poses all kinds of issues and concerns for the people involved, as well as the birds. Lets just sit patiently and hope for the best. I too, will sign off…. till tomorrow.
It is heart wrenching to watch. Jeez, do the bigger ones just want to kill the poor little guy?! It’s sad but I can’t tear myself from watching. 🙁
Just want to thank everyone for the updates on the baby, the visuals are to heartbreaking but i need to see the ending of this beautiful story. This was such an amazing experience to watch, i never new anything about this live webcam before and want to thank everyone who was a part of this it truly it an incredible journey in the life of the ofsprey.
I know it’s nature and all but I wish Gracie or George would just grab that bully by the neck and throw him out. He is hurting the little one even when they aren’t eating. It is horrible.
I’m with you Jeanne!
While it is tough to watch, hoping that the parents kill off the stronger chick to save the weaker one wouldn’t exactly be helping the species survive and continue on.
Too bad someone living close by didn’t own a drone. Be great to drop a few extra fish in the nest. It’s really about not having enough food Poor little runt. Even Gracie looks a little deprived lately. George needs to step up his game.
Paul, thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to OBSERVE nature. Some of the comments on here are very frustrating to read and I appreciate your restraint in dealing with them and not making it personal. This is nature at work. George and Gracie more likely than not bullied their own siblings when they were young, which is how they learned to survive and were able to become such strong parents. It’s how the species continues on. Everybody take a breath and enjoy watching nature in action. If it’s too much for some watchers then turn it off. These birds have been doing this for longer than you or I have been on this earth.
You don’t know what you are talking about. There is very little bullying at most Osprey nests. They do not need this to learn. This happens when there is not enough food … they are fighting for their lives.
When Osprey nests are not well fed, this is what happens. I agree. In fact, there are many osprey nests that are not well fed, and chicks do not make it out if they do not learn to fight for themselves. Hopefully the younger one can stick it out until the food supply improves, but there’s a reason the chick per nest numbers, posted below, are usually lower than three.
I could hardly believe dad eating a part of this fish while in the nest, and then mom eating quite a bit too. Mom instead of sitting there quietly ought to be demanding he bring fish.
I agree…. This is not a normal behavior to bully it’s own species at this age. This is not enjoyable nature in action (it is cruelty), I enjoy watching them grow up and thrive. The best and most enjoyable part of watching webcams is all the different stages in development and best of all… The fledging!!! More than likely, this little guy will not have that opportunity to soar in the skies…. Sadly, He will slowly suffer and become a fresh meal for his siblings. If that is nature in action, then I I won’t watch it. I will say a prayer for this little guy and know that there are many others out there that loved him and prayed for him as much as I. You see, the webcams bring the lives of these families into our homes, and it does become personal. We marvel at the parents for the patience they have sitting their through the heat, cold, and wind 24 hours a day; then we are captivated to watch the chicks climb out of their eggs; it is our hope that all will make it to become strong juveniles; unfortunately, very few do; and most of those will not make it to become full adults at the age of 2 years old in order to mate and become parents. This is why I advocate to help in any way. Many will be hit by our cars or electrocuted by our electric poles. With that being said, I hope and pray that some miracle will save this little one’s life. He deserves a fair chance….
I’m hooked on this site, but I guess I’m not strong enough to see what really goes on in nature..that poor baby just gets beat on so bad… It breaks my heart. I’d like to just not log in until they are ready to fly, but I know I can’t do that. It really is an experience that I’ve never had before. Thanks for sharing this with all of us…
I agree! Stop bickering., we are all watching and hurting too. Let’s come together for the runt’s sake. Insulting one another is not going to help. If you can’t take it, don’t watch. I haven’t been able to watch for a few days. Just praying for the baby.
When I opened the site, I was so glad to see PeeWee getting fed by Gracie, while the older ones slept. I am still praying that PeeWee makes it through the ordeal of growing bigger to be like his siblings. It makes me sad to see him get picked on by the older one, and held down by the older one’s large wing. I wish PeeWee would be able to move his head and bite the wing of the older one in order to get it off of him. Poor little guy. It makes me cry to see PeeWee abused by the older siblings.
I watched some of the earlier feeding attempts today and they were brutal to poor little #3, don’t think he got a bite! But, at about 3:27pm nest time, while the other 2 sibs were sleeping, SUCCESS!! He had Gracie all to himself for about 10 minutes of solid feeding time! He ate well, swallowing as fast as he could. Gracie seemed to be feeding him at break neck speed, as if to sneak it all in before the other 2 awoke. Granted, I know he’s still in jeopardy but I see every bite of food that he took in as a step towards his survival. Please keep the faith for him and send him all your prayers and good thoughts, and don’t give up! He’s got the hardest job, trying to live, so we can at least be there to pull for him! And thank you Gracie for feeding him so diligently during those 10 minutes and to George for bringing in the food!
I missed that feeding. Thanks for reporting. It’s good to hear.
The little one finally got some decent feeding time, once the older ones went into their food comas. If he survives this, he will no doubt be the strongest of the three.
FOR ANYONE WHO MISSED IT, PEEWEE GOT FED!!! MOM TORE EVERY BIT OF FISH FROM THE REMAINS AND PEEWEE LOOKED LIKE HE WAS FULL!! GLAD I CAUGHT THE MOMENT; WAS ABOUT 3:30pm
It was good to see the baby get a meal, has a nice size crop there, wish there was a couple more bites left but it was a good feeding.
Maybe he/she will learn to hold back and wait til food coma falls upon the big guy.
Can someone please share the dates these chicks were born, thank you.
I was wondering that myself. Found that they were born June 12, 13 and 15.
I was so happy that the runt got fed. About time!! I’ve been watching for about three hours now. I’d like to know, not that it’s possible, why that bigger one keeps on pecking him every chance he gets. I hate him!!
I’ve been marveling at the instinctual behaviors of these birds, how do they know what to do, where did they learn that? One can easily speculate that the babies instincts are also producing actions that offer survival advantages. It follows that to weed out the week makes sense for the propagation of the species. If our little one tuffs it out and survives, he will have to have amazing traits (genes) that would serve future generations well. This is how it works in the wild. Our civilization is not the wild, to compare this to us just doesn’t equate for me.
I must be losing it…I cannot believe I am smacking the screen, like moving a widget on phone to move these big ones away to help Pee Wee get some food……
Patty I caught myself doing the same, almost threw the iPad across the room ! Let’s keep pulling for the little Pip !
Thank you Paul for your informative commentary, response and management of this camera, site and perch. Even though this has become more intense than imagined, it’s still an amazing site and experience. I’ve been watching since the couple began building their nest in April and I’ve never watched anything live like this before. Thanks to you and Tommy.
Nicely said, Paul. I was watching when the big piece of plastic blew off the nest the other day. I was glad it did! Humans were once living in the wild & only the healthiest, most cunning, & quickest got to live & pass their genes down. We humans seem to forget that, since we no longer live that way. We help when we can, but interference many times has the unintended effect of doing more harm than good, as you pointed out. While one of them is out of camera view does not meant it’s not nearby. They rarely stray far from the nest. Thanks for the info- keep up the good work!
How much time is there between the two older siblings and PeeWee. I am new to this nest.
Just answered the same question a few hours ago
sorry, wasn’t here a few hours ago, I’ll try to search
Found it, thanks
A lot of people shouldn’t watch this because they are not capable of accepting natures ways of
living and survival. Most birds and animals fall under these rules of survival, as tough as it
is. It is natures way of letting the strong survive and the weak not to. It isn’t easy to watch,
I agree with that, I was getting mad myself but you have to let it be. This is one issue in nature
in nature we are not going to solve. Even the mother, with all her instincts to feed and protect her
young does not have the instinct of saving the weak and stopping the fight.
WOW! If humans felt the way you do, we (as teachers) wouldn’t have Special Education in the school system. If we don’t step in, like we did with the other species that were becoming endangered, then they would become extinct. Part of the problem is humans moving in and taking over. We should be to blame for some of this. And yes, I agree, we can’t save the world, but we can help out when able. This is a perfect example of us (humans) knowing the problem and sitting back watching a living creature suffer.
Actually Jacque, humans did step in, the Environmental Defense Fund saved the Ospreys from extinction when they fought to ban DDT. Please see Clay’s wonderful short documentory about it all in our “Everything Osprey” section. Please, let’s not make any of this “personal”. There will always be many points of view, all are valid, let’s respect each other and our differences.
Thanks
Paul
I for one am all for people having their own point of view, with some being valid – not all! Many people watch and don’t research. Survival of the fittest usually doesn’t apply to siblings, it is usually referred to an entire species.
I try to see the good in helping, for instance Indy and Franklin in Dollywood are non-releasable, but we have always protected them, feed them, and cared for their young in order to release them. Maybe some don’t see Osprey on the same level as an Eagle. I know they aren’t the “TOP” of the food chain, but they are pretty close as a raptor.
I have studied up on these birds – a little (I am absolutely no expert), but I do understand they are still being watched and tracked as “Special Concern”. I also understand that in the wild we don’t interfere, but I think when we take it upon ourselves to place a cam above a nest, maintain the nest (It is my understanding someone removed plastic and other man-made material from the nest), and broadcast the lives of this family, then we should intervene when we have sick or injured chicks. That is why we have rehab centers and ornithologists who care for the sick and injured and release them back out in the wild if possible. Maybe I am wrong… maybe with all my education I have misunderstood the need to care and protect the weak…..
I have always allowed my students to watch webcams, I am so glad that school is out. This experience and comments others have left has definitely changed my perspective as to what will happen in my classroom in the future. I think we have enough bullies in society. I will not endorse the bullies by allowing them to think that they are “survival of the fittest”.
Nothing has been removed by anyone, nobody has visited the nest, the wind blew some plastic off the nest recently.
Is there really a connection between observing and intervening? There are many other observations of nature in which it would be totally inappropriate to intervene. Please consider all the issues here, as put forth in all the other comments, before passing judgement.
Thanks
Paul
It’s not our place to interfere, stop watching if it’s too much for you. We should all be thankful to Paul & Tommy for creating this site, not arguing over how to “fix” survival of the fittest.
.We’ve just watched the most delightful, satisfying feeding EVER! Pipsqueak got a private dining experience while the two others were in food coma! I kept praying the coma would last until the little one had eaten its fill and it did! No more freaking out for me and now I understand what they mean by nature taking it’s own course. Thank you for the cam!
Yea the little one got to eat.
Look at mom now. The little “pecker” has got a private feeding with MOM, while two siblings are sleeping. He (or she) is one helluva tough runt. I think he’s got the balls to cut through the mess.
Jon, you would be wrong. If you are watching right now you are seeing like I am that the little one is,being fed. This is their life and their world. They do not need you to interfere. It doesn’t matter you have good intentions. Nobody is dying and you are over reacting.
People help animals in the wild all the time, a lion that got injured by a buffalo and had it’s leg ripped open and could see her muscle got treated and she had cubs to feed, so i don’t want to hear that not helping crap, even the owner paul i think his name was checked to make sure the nest wasn’t going to rip apart from that storm the other night.
Please don’t bicker on this site, you’re turning this into a bad reality show. Watch or turn it off if you can’t accept Mother Nature.
Thank you God The baby (Brenda) is finally getting a bit in her tummy. Please dear God keep her siblings sleeping
I can’t watch the slow death of little junior anymore
This is breaking my heart!! That little guy is not going to survive. I wish I could reach out and get him out of there. 🙁
Its hard to watch I look for awhile then turn it off. the bigger ones and there bites are getting harder. Hang in there little Man.
If there was no camera here we would just walk bye under it knowing no different. The camera I believe shows nature at work. Good and bad, but it is what it is. I agree at let it be. Some I know it’s hard to sit back and watch, but it is NOT cartoons, it is NATURE. I have a degree in biology, LOVE nature and how it all works. Yes the human species is different and we have resources to help when we give birth to weaker ones. Animals deal with feeding the strong for survival of the species. We can not put cameras up on every nest to save all the weaker babies or maybe charge the parents with neglect. The same thing happens in your own back yard and in every tree with a nest. Like others have said, sometimes it does work out and the little ones do survive but we must let them do it or they will have to depend on someone to feed them all through life because they will not have the skills to protect themselves or there babies. It is natures way of ensuring the strongest of the nest goes on to multiply and raise others the same way. I too am pulling for the little guy but by all means do NOT put someone in danger of climbing up there to grab it endangering not only the climber but risking abandonment of the other two from their parents.
Right after posting, bully fell asleep and little guy got a belly full of all he could take in by good ole dad. Hoping he raises his back end and gives big brother a good squirt…lol.
I second that emotion 🙂
Thanks for your knowledgable perspective!
Paul
Good post! For all we know, George and/ or Gracie may have got where they are by being the “bullies” in their nest.
I agree with a person helping it, if someone decides to install a camera and build a nest they should help the animal if it’s in danger of dying or getting sick, the little one don’t seem to have much time at all and looks like it’s head is injured, i wish i lived there, i would go get the little chick out of there.
I am watching at 3:30 and the baby has had quite a feeding since his brothers have fallen asleep! Mama is picking that fish apart, and giving baby undivided attention. Hope this is a good sign of the days to come!
The following is a list of well-documented tracking numbers of the survival rates of Osprey clutches and broods. The RUNT is cute, but he’s facing a difficult challenge. Let’s root for him, but keep in mind the odds are stacked heavily against him.
Raptor biologists assess the health of osprey populations by looking at several reproductive parameters. The table below is a live calculation based on activity data entered by Osprey Watch volunteers. Reproductive rates from 0.8 to 1.2 are minimum values to sustain a population. The higher these values are the healthier the osprey population. These rates vary based on age-to-first-reproduction, survivorship rates, and many other factors.
http://www.osprey-watch.org/summary
2012
Total Number of Nests:
1928
Number of Occupied Territories:
1037
Number of Active Nests:
779
Number of Successful Nests:
528
Number of Failed Nests:
124
Number of Young Produced:
985
Number of Young Produced per Active Nests:
1.3
Number of Young Produced per Successful Nests:
1.9
2013
Total Number of Nests:
2302
Number of Occupied Territories:
1513
Number of Active Nests:
1216
Number of Successful Nests:
919
Number of Failed Nests:
232
Number of Young Produced:
1815
Number of Young Produced per Active Nests:
1.5
Number of Young Produced per Successful Nests:
2.0
2014
Total Number of Nests:
1696
Number of Occupied Territories:
1268
Number of Active Nests:
782
Number of Successful Nests:
541
Number of Failed Nests:
216
Number of Young Produced:
1024
Number of Young Produced per Active Nests:
1.3
Number of Young Produced per Successful Nests:
1.9
2015
Total Number of Nests:
1056
Number of Occupied Territories:
1001
Number of Active Nests:
460
Number of Successful Nests:
261
Number of Failed Nests:
96
Number of Young Produced:
486
Number of Young Produced per Active Nests:
1.1
Number of Young Produced per Successful Nests:
1.9
So, this is why we use the term “pecking order” in English!
Seriously, I understand the let nature take its course… but REALLY!!! We are intelligent enough to know that sometimes nature needs a little help! Why sit here and watch a creature die when we have the power to save its life??? It is my understanding that we can interfere if there is an issue of survival. We aren’t just going up there to remove the little one for enjoyment, but for survival.
Nature is doing just fine. Gracie knows a lot more than any one of us can guess she knows. It’s very rare to see more than two chicks survive in an Osprey nest. In fact, the survival rate is less than two chicks median. If the runt makes it, he will be defying the odds of generations. It’s been done before and can be done again. But truly, chances are statistically about 70/30 against him. The means, if there were 100 other nests just like Gracie and George, only three out of ten little runts would survive.
Just because those are the statistics, doesn’t mean we can’t help out when needed and able! We are the intelligent species studying these birds. If you already know the statistics, then learn from them…. I am one to act. I believe change is good, and we cannot continue unless we grow from what we have learned. I understand that the little one just had a good meal, but that might not stop the bigger ones from killing it. Have you never seen ‘The Ugly Dachshund? That run was being rejected by it’s mother, yet it became the most beautiful dogs of the litter. Just say’n
thanks for sharing such a wonderful development so far but i am leaving until a week has gone by cant watch any more nature (survival of the fittest)
How long has it been since the tiny one has eaten? Please remove that net and save the baby…Please 🙁
I absolutely agree. PLEASE, someone, save the baby before the others kill him. At this point, they won’t even let him stretch his wings. I really can’t watch this any more.
I couldn’t agree more………this little ‘guy’ doesn’t have chance…..it will be over in another day or two unless there is an intervention; however,and for the record, I am a city boy that is simply acting out of compassion —not experience or knowledge
Another pathetic feeding…or should I say pecking session…I realize this is nature’s way but what a shame the mom doesn’t take care of the youngest….he did not get one bite…will have to log off for a few days and hope for the best…its just too hard to watch.
2:00 pm feeding was half a fish. Pip Squeak ate nothing Beaten down by both siblings. Hardly moved. Just awful.
We are watching but should not intrude on osprey following their instincts. As best I know, we are the only species on earth that tend to preserve the lives of those who are less able to deal with the challenges of living.
I saw what I assumed to be the parents of a Canada Goose chick that was so injured it could not keep up with the rest of the brood injured attack and kill it. I don’t know why they were conditioned to do that but it was evolutionary conditioned behavior at work.
So is this.
I wish mom or dad would now go feed the little one now thAt the other 2 seem to be done.
I wouldn’t mind watching those BULLIES being swept out of the nest by a big gush of wind. My heart is breaking for that little one. I don’t know how much more he/she can take.
God has his eye on the sparrow, I hope He has an eye on this chick.
I agree. I refuse to watch anymore!!!!!!
What happens to the little one when it dies? Do they continue to step all over it?
I wanna give a good finger flick to that number one bully who keeps pecking the youngest. C’mon George. Bring more fish. Gracie, you keep yelling at his lazy butt to get more fish.
To Mangement,
When someone goes up to remove the netting, can they also remove the littlest chick and take him to the Rachel & Steve osprey nest on Hogs Island? A similar thing was done to the Chesapeake nest to save two chicks that were also under attack, it saved them and the 2 eggs that never hatched were replaced with the 2 chicks and all is well there . Steve and Rachels two chicks were recently taken by an eagle so they have one unhatched egg in the nest that s not going hatch.Why not save this baby from death and put him in Rachels nest and remove the other egg ? Can I please have some feedback on this ? thank You
This subject has been covered extensively in previous posts over the last few days.
thanks Paul ; )
I just have to say I love Rachel and Steve at Hog’s Island. I watched their babies hatch and grow, and then disappear in the talons of a overlooking Eagle. Please consider that their nest was not well-placed among the trees in their forest. Ospreys usually seek the highest perch available with a 360-degree view so they cannot be overlooked, and they can see what’s coming all the time.
Sadly, Steve and Rachel’s nest was not set at the top of the treeline and could be easily overlooked by watchful raptors. It’s the cycle of life. I fear putting another chick in that nest, even if just an egg, would invite another sharp predator with sharp talons to snatch away when the moment permits.
2:00pm feeding .. first one then the other really bit the heck out of the little runt …. I’d love to see hom make it … but the two feedings I saw today, runt didn’t get and food, and took a bad beating each time from the other chicks … they seem to realize,if they do him in, more food for them …. poor little one..natures way ..
LOL I am in no way a “trek-y” (had to look it up!) but yikes I got what you were saying. Nature is as nature does people! If problems are caused by we human animals, then we need to correct it. Mother nature has been dealing with us for years! I have no doubt that this nest will address fixable issues as other nests have done in the past. 🙂
Yay!!!!Pee Wee’s first feeding in a long time! Thank goodness the siblings are doing the food coma away from him! My heavy heart is lifting a bit!
This has really been a difficult fishing day for our King Fisher-osprey George! Winds, rain, high water levels…not great for fishing. He has returned to the nest wet but alas fish-less at least twice today. Hopefully as the weather clears up, things will look better! 🙂
I agree Sue. This is truly difficult to watch, but my crazy optimism believes the lil’ one will be ok due to his feisty nature!
This is killing me!! I can’t take this!! Why doesn’t the little one get fed?!
Why have mom and dad been gone for over 20 minutes? I looked back to see when they left the nest alone.
There is a perch above the nest (see pictures in highlights section) that is often occupied by either of the adults.
I’d for gotten the purch off camera. I’m sure someone was there watching. Gracie leaves so seldom. Was strange seeing no one on the nest for what seemed a long long time. Getting to watch this up close is such a treat but we have to remember, we are the interlopers. We need to leave nature be and observe. Thank you Paul for this opportunity, for your knowledge shared and your ability to explain the situation with kindness. It has not gone unnoticed.
I’ve been watching Eagles, hummingbirds, osprey… any birds I can see, for 3 years now. The behavior you see is typical of bird siblings- the littlest one is always at the bottom of the pecking order, literally, & almost always lives. The last of the Decorah eagles fledged last week & was the one that was picked on by the others, but mom & dad made sure that he got the food he needed to stay alive. It is natural selection- only the strong survive. The green netting looks like the fiberous bags that seed/large farm items comes in more than netting. Anyway, I vote leave nature alone & don’t disturb them. If people are so worried, start picking up plastic & garbage wherever you find it. I fish a lot where osprey are nesting- Mattituck Inlet is 1 of the places & has numerous nests- & the plastic hanging off the nests is disgusting. I’d be more worried about a string of plastic bag wrapping around the leg or neck of a baby more than that green cloth that’s in this nest. The babies were just sleeping snuggled together. The little guy will catch up- leave them ALONE! You might cause more harm than good by messing with them.
I understood that the data show only 30% of third hatched nestlings survive in Osprey nests … With this week being the week most are lost (2-3 weeks of age). It is just very difficult to find/catch/bring enough food for 3.
Rooting for the baby, assuredly, and not in favor of interfering, but trying not to be overly optimistic (for my own sake).
I agree. Leave them be!
Glad to see the Lil Guy is hanging in there.
But, why are the two bigger ones trying to kill him? And why doesn’t the mom feed him? It’s breaking my heart to watch this!!
I have noticed on other nests, Hellgate in particular, that the male will take the smallest one under its wing and feed it while the Mom is feeding the larger more demanding chicks. It would probably save the little one if George would figure that out.
OMG. C3 (RUNT) fell on his back. He must turn over.
C1 (first born) is a full third bigger than C2 (second born). However, C1 is probably about three times bigger than C3 (third or last born). C1 is growing at an alarming rate and can fully mount and humiliate C3. But, at the same time, C2 seems very passive. C3 has tried a few times to get back into C1s face, but gets pecked out of contention pretty quickly. C2 just seems to move away during most of the conflicts. It appears that C2 is also having a problem getting food, because the big bully C1 takes over the current feeding time. I agree that George needs to step up his game and start bringing a lot more fish.
Sadly nature plays by a different set of rules than the enabled compassionate Homo sapiens.
Survival of the fittest rules and although tragic and highly disturbing to witness first hand the
culling of the strongest at the expense of the weaker exists throughout all of God,s creatures.
I too pine pine for the little one and pray for mercy.
Well said, Jack, Thanks.
Paul
Rachel looked scared last night as the storm started. George brought in 2 fish that were left there so the chicks were starving.
She looks exhausted this morning.
George is a good hunter, but these are new parents and they don’t understand. They wouldn’t be beating up on the young one if he brought in enough food. Tom from Audubon was bringing in 7 to 9 fish daily and he was only feeding 2 chicks. George needs to bring in a lot more.
There is also a pecking order. She needs to feed from the oldest down and she isn’t doing there.
I know these birds are usually monogamous, I have a sneaking suspicion George might be a Rascal!
What is the difference in hatch dates between the chicks ?
First one June 12
Second hatched on June 13
Third hatched June 15
Thank You
Why would the mother jeopardise two healthy chicks by feeding one which is not going to survive? This is not a Disney production where all ends happily ever after. And the chicks will have to learn to defend their own nest and young in the future so they have to learn to be aggressive. It’s not nice to watch but then it’s nature. Of course there should be no interference in removing netting or chicks.
Well said Gordon, no one talks about the fish?
I agree there should be no interference. It’s nature left to do what nature does. Still its best for all chicks to survive increasing the odds one will survive. At Hog Island, two chicks were taken at once. Had there been a third, the third likely would not have been taken and survived.
I don’t see any equivalence between removing the “netting” and removing the chick.
I don’t think the burlap is terribly dangerous, so don’t think it is necessary to remove it. If it were a very dangerous man made intrusion, I would totally support removing it … Just like they successfully saved the bird who got tangled in fishing line.
In any case, the baby is too old to be relocated. So I think we can drop that idea whatever our stance on that.
andreaallennyc,
They are not sure its burlap and it looks like netting to me.
So far I have seen George get his foot stuck in it , and saw the baby chick stuck in it thrashing about for a long time intil he got out, so to you its not dangerous, but its very dangerous to the chicks and they are the ones we are concerned about. You say the baby is too old to be relocated, wrong he was hatched June 15th so just 13 days old, which is not too old to be relocated. Also the chicks on the Chesy nest were about this age when relocated. Its just a suggestion that management will decide on , and not the viewers. Thank you
Nobody said it’s not dangerous, but a lot of other things have been said and other issues discussed. I suggest you review entire thread and weigh all the issues.
Thanks
Paul
JO
The little one is over 2 weeks old. The Chesapeake chicks were younger. If you read the notes about the Chesapeake chicks, you will see the raptor biologist who advised on it and carried it out said that chicks need to be younger than that to be relocated (10-14 days is best, younger is possible, older is not). He is extremely experienced with this, having done it for decades. I’m taking his word for it.
I agree the burlap/netting is somewhat dangerous … Yes, the Osprey have gotten tangled in it a few times (more than you witnessed), but they got free too … The adults very easily and I did not see the baby’s struggle to be as dire as you did. The baby struggled more and longer a few times just by getting turned over. So you and I disagree on just how dangerous the burlap/netting is and thus we weigh the risks and benefits differently.
It is heartwrenching to watch the baby struggle, but moving it to another nest isn’t possible … I guess it could be taken in by a human but that doesn’t seem feasible. If you watch a lot of nest cams, you probably know that most are run by conservation/biology/ornithology/whatever organizations. They do not generally intervene in situations where a youngest hatchling is starving or being beaten up by its sibs, that is a deliberate policy unless it is a breeding effort involving endangered species. Personally, I would go in and save the baby, but they wouldn’t. (Yes, they do arrange fosters and do remove some dangerous objects if it is feasible.)
Andrea
I wish I could reach through my computer screen & get that little guy out of there. The feeding that’s going on now, the little guy is getting nothing. Just been beaten up again, he’s just laying there. The one that just pecked him, for no reason at all, is now laying on top of the little one. Not sure if that means anything.
The two bites the little guy just got is not enough to sustain it.
Unfortunately we get to see the good and the hard to watch side of nature. I am so grateful to have this opportunity
They are both full and when the little one moves they attack him… I cant watch anymore. Wish would could give him to the Ospreys who just lost their babies ?
I agree…this is so hard to watch, but my husband keeps reminding me that nature has a way of weeding out the frail & weak….I wish Gracie would try to keep the runt closer to her to protect her.
i am heart broken by this sight..i cant stand how the mom will not feed little one..it saddens me if they dont feed # 3 he will die why have 3 kids if you cant take care of them..if they dont stop PECKING at # 3 i just cant watch this sight any more..i am SICKENED by this
I agree that the little one should be taken from the nest and given to Rachel and Steve. It doesn’t have much of a chance on this nest. It looks to me that the siblings are planning on doing it in. they just lost their chicks yesterday, so the window is right.
Looks like the other big chick may be trying to defend little bit from the bully. Looks like it is trying to coax it toward the food. But don’t think the little guy is going to survive this another day unless there is intervention. Please help.
9:55am feeding.. da runt doesn’t seem to stand a chance..observed a larger chick pecking the little one’s head … seemed to injured it…. gosh..i know its nature’s way …. but let it be swift so that little one doesn’t suffer anymore …. plus it didn’t get any food …
Well Mom is feeding the two babies while pee wee was sleepinh then one of the bigger babies took a break from eating to peck away at pee wees head!!!! I had to tune out I just cant stand to watch thst happen!!!!
I have been watching since two days before the 3rd egg hatched, and even though it’s certainly been tough to watch at times, having the opportunity to see nature take it’s course has been fantastic! ( : GREAT job.
It does seem to me the runt has 3 things in it’s favor.
1: There seems to be an abundance of food, so there doesn’t seem to be a real starvation issue for the older birds.
2: The little one seems to be wise in the fact he lays low mostly now while the others ones feed. Seems to know reward comes with patience…
3: George and Gracie are TERRIFIC parents! ( : George has been a great hunter and provider, and Gracie has been such an attentive mom.
It’s been nice seeing both mom & dad take turns feeding the kids, and it’s been good of George to hang while Gracie gets a chance to spread her wings on occasion.
George brought a fish just now, and Grace was ready to take it, but George dropped it to the ground. I would have thought he would go down to get it, but he left and flew back over the water.
Under the tower are bushes etc. Probably smarter to go get another fish
The lens is so clear today after the rain. Can see all the activity maybe even better than ever before. The RUNT’s tan appearance disappeared overnight and he is taking on the reptilian appearance and change of coloring stage. All three of them are staring to look more like birds and less like ET.