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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
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George and Gracie's First Baby
Eggs Over Easy
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First Love
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Little Brother
Intruder
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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
2 PM-ish Gracie sneezed twice in succession, then less than a minute later sneezed again. (I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a bird sneeze before this!) Allergic to bringing seaweed to the nest instead of plastic?
Gracie is one strong and determined chick (pun intended) – she really tugged and tugged on a large clump of seaweed to pull it out from under what was apparently 500 pounds of sticks that George had been placing in that area. (Shortly after the sneezing.)
The nest is really looking great. He and Gracie were really “active” today; I guess he wants to be sure all his effort and hard work don’t go for naught!!
George has really been a busy dad today bring in sticks and seaweed. At 3:10 Gracie was in the nest intently staring at something, then starting squawking at it as an osprey did a fly by. George was right behind it and landed on the nest beside Gracie, and then took off in the same direction that the intruder went. After bringing in more nesting material he delivered a nice big fish to Gracie at 3:25, or close to that, which she promptly took and flew off to eat. George continued nesting duties, as did Gracie after returning to the nest after her meal. I love watching George place a stick somewhere, then Gracie in turn moves it somewhere else. Some of the “sticks” George has brought today have been quite large, and Gracie has all but thrown a couple of them over the side!! Won’t be long now till we should have eggs in the nest. Several dozen if were up to the number of times they have mated!!!!!
Ribbon is pretty but worried about drama it may cause with the young ones in the future. Who can forget the rescue last year?!!!
Ah, A pretty teal ribbon for decoration……..
Scrolled back to see what episodes I missed: At about 10 AM, Gracie brought back a curling ribbon … to gift-wrap the eggs? (She must like purdy 🙂 & shiny things.) Then at about 1:10 PM, George flew out of the nest, taking the ribbon with him. But, guess what, just like with the plastic yesterday, he returned to the nest after about 6 or 7 minutes with that darn ribbon still stuck on his talon(!!), which he didn’t take with him the next time he left the nest, 7 or 8 minutes later. Good one for the highlights: at about 1:30 PM, George returned to the nest with a large divining rod-like stick (I don’t know why, there’s all that water around!!). Then, he started fussing with another large stick, picking it up and stumbling around the nest a bit before flipping his head and nearly whacking Gracie with the stick. Then, as he was trying to move the stick into position, Gracie was standing on it (I guess she didn’t want to get almost whacked again!). Finally she stepped off the branch and out of the way.Then a quick (really quick) mating session and off for more branches.
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.
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Looks like the first chick hatched between 17:00 and 17:20 PM ET
Oh yeah, ~16:10
Congratulations Gracie1 I just got a very small glimpse of her first chick.
Looks like second chick is first visible at 5:16 AM ET this morn, can’t go back to yesterday to see. 🙁
3rd one is here!!! 8:05 on the 8th
Awww, glad to hear that chick #3 is here!! I missed it; just logged on and rewound but no signs of the chicks. So, is #3 another pee wee?!! I hope he fares well this year. Keeping my fingers crossed!!
Ooh, a hammock! Now we need Tommy to blog about what he sees looking up at the nest from on the hammock!! (Make sure to wave!!)
We’ve been robbed! A small sparrow type bird was just spotted stealing twigs from the home of George & Gracie @ 11:16 today. Somebody call the cops!!! LOL. I did get a chuckle watching it.
Loved the comment about the Scottish accent. I am a Scot living in England. Here is an old Scottish way to describe the view over the water at night. “Its a braw bricht moonlit nicht the nicht” or in American “Its a beautiful moonlit night tonight. Great to see how well the nest is coming on. What a busy pair they are. Cant wait to see the eggs. Best wishes from the UK
Video very choppy again. Doesn’t look very windy, now, though; and always seems to be at about the same time every day. Solar interference?
George and Gracie arrived at the nest bright and early this morning, around 5:30. George delivered a huge half fish to Gracie around 6:30, which she promptly took and flew off. George left soon after. At around 7 and osprey flew into the nest but I couldn’t identify if it was G or G, as it landed and was facing the water in a hunched position. I’m thinking it may have been the intruder, as it quickly left the nest a few minutes later as George flew in immediately after it left. George then proceeded with bringing in more nest materials for awhile, until Gracie came back after finishing her breakfast. An attempt at mating a couple of times, but kind of a half hearted attempt, then he continued gathering nest material. Gracie looks sleepy as she is sitting in the nest and closing her eyes some. Pregnancy is so tiring!!
I saw that, couldn’t really tell either. Tried to slow video, but still couldn’t really tell. Think it may have been Gracie, though.
Managed to get some pics just before the 4hr window ended. Sheesh, I still can’t really tell! Inclined to change my mind — it isn’t Gracie.
Gracie flew into the neat around 5:30 AM. They’re coming earlier and earlier. Guess I’m going to have to be getting up earlier and earlier!! 🙂
That was nest she flew onto!! But it’s neat to see!! 🙂
April 20-Approximately 7:15- A sweet exchange between Gracie and George. Gracie had half a fish and when George arrived at the nest he just kind of stood next to her, looking down at the fish. After a few seconds he made a few squeaks and Gracie released the fish and let George have it. It was just sweet the way they communicated. Sweet!
8:03pmEDT 4/19/16 Gracie came in about 7:55pm and did some work on the bedding and sheeting…She was startled when that large sheet of black seemed to blow up from below and flapped in behind her…guess she decided time for bed..George had been in earlier with a small piece of fish but his honey wasn’t there so he went off to snack..
And the magical moonlight show is on again…….
Poor George. Just scrolling back: At about 4:35 PM, George grabbed a stick from the pile (a BIG stick – you could really see the log … I mean stick … dangling as he flew up!), and flew back to the nest (seemed like he took a round-trip migratory flight path, since it took so long). He tried to position it, but it ended up teeter-tottering on the edge of the nest. When he tried again to move it into place, it fell off the nest (I wonder if it clattered on the roof!).
Around 6:30 pm EST both were in the nest, Gracie squawking. George flies off thinking he was getting dinner, not just a twig for the nest. Then Gracie flies off I guess to get her own dinner.
6:38pmEDT 4/19/16 BETSY..I thought the spelling looked Scottish..or Welsh..lots of w,y,g usage in those languages….and I do say cawfee..was most evident in the few years that I lived in western Maryland..(.some words required an interpreter between my in-laws and me….)
RON S..I got no proBlem with youse guys…I actually Googled it and read the part of the def. that spoke to pronunciation….I’m LI born and bred..Born at Fort Totten and raised on the East End…In fact, some of my best friends sound like that…..(sorry, couldn’t resist that…) Just surprised I never heard that….Thanks for the info….
A beautiful view as the shadows creep in downbelow and the last sun shines off the edge of the nest– 6:56pm
And there were some videos posted last year…GinaM.s beautiful tribute for one…and some others..I don’t know what happened..would photos be different than videos..remember,,tech challenged
CarolV: So poetic!
Close! Irish, actually. (Not me, ancestors!)
Around 3:50 George delivered a nice fish for Gracie, then he flew off shortly after she did to collect more nesting material. He showed back up about 4:30 with a large stick, that ended up balancing on the edge of the platform. After a couple of minutes he turned around and bit the limb to adjust it, and ended up knocking it over the edge of the nest. The look on his face was priceless!! These birds personalities are wonderful!!!
Can anyone answer this question for me? I remember reading somewhere (of course, I can’t find the site now!!) that ospreys nest in all but TWO of the Lower 48 states. So just now, I found an article in National Wildlife (https://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2012/Tracking-Ospreys.aspx) that ospreys nest in all but FOUR of the Lower 48 states. But nowhere in either article was/is it stated which two, or which four, states they don’t nest in.
3:49pmEDT Fullfish delivery..Gracie barely said thanks before she took off……
3:19 p.m. April 19 – Our “bag lady” Gracie just flew in the nest with a HUGE piece of plastic (contractor or yard bag). She is hysterical with wanting that plastic.
Poor George: At approx. 12 noon, George flew out of the nest with plastic stuck in his talon. At about 1 PM, George flew back into the nest with plastic still in his talon. Same piece?? Then he flew out of the nest after a few minutes, taking the plastic with him!! Then he returned to the nest after a minute or two with seaweed and the plastic STILL in his talon!! It seemed to be stuck on that first inside toe(?) of his left foot. Then George flew out of the nest after a minute or two, taking the plastic with him!! He returned to the nest after about 20 minutes – NO plastic!! Plastic may be something not to worry about, but still … flying around with a piece stuck on your foot for 1 1/2 hours can’t be much fun!!
2:15pmEDT BETSY…just looked up Lawn Guyland…that’s a new one on me..we have different accent here on this end…very funny….I thought you were in Scotland!!
I finally got out of the habit of saying “cawfee”!! Listen to the LI medium!! That’s how I sound!!
Addendum: Why Scotland? (I once dated a guy who’s mother was from Scotland … at times, I could barely understand what she was saying! Especially after she and her sister had a few, OMG, the burr!!!!:) )
CarolV, It is more that just an accent. It is derived from the observation that on every week end, all the GUYS from across the LAND tend to their LAWNS. Ergo, Lawn Guyland.
Youse got a problem wit dat??
That’s a riot!! I never heard that!
…looooove (& no, no problem…hahaha!)…! This is always the best cup o’ cawfee, of the day…thanks, everyone! Smiles…! Dontcha all just wanna give George & Gracie a big hug, for their perseverance & passion?! xO
Judith: I want to ADOPT them! Perseverance … sometimes I wish I could just reach in through the camera and help George move the stick(s) he’s battling with!
LOL-I’m from the North Shore of the Island, by way of “da Bronx”. I didn’t know I had an accent until I went to college in Illinois. I got in the cab at the train station to give directions, and maybe had two quick sentences out of my mouth, and the cab driver says: “So, where in New York are you from?” Really, up until then I never knew I had an accent!
Diane S: That’s funny! After CarolV said she looked up Lawn Guyland, I decided I would, too, to see what’s out there. I read that the Lawn Guyland accent is one of the most “GRATING” and “OFFENSIVE” sounds and in need of “REMEDIATION” and “some of the nasal accents of long-time Lawn Guyland residents can strip paint”. True, but harrumph anyway!
/Users/nitas/Desktop/Screen Shot 2016-04-19 at 11.34.30 AM.png Are we not able to post pics here this year?
I wish we could. I started emailing with someone on this site and she’s sent me some nice pics. I bet a lot of people have some great screen shots that others would probably love to see! I believe the site is still evolving, so maybe one day!!
I copied this from Osprey Camera Blog Osprey Activities @ Nest on MD Eastern Shore (Chesapeake Conservancy Cam) Camera Cam FAQ page (https://ospreycamerablog.wordpress.com/osprey-cam-faq/): “Q: Why is there man-made material in the nest? Is it harmful? A: Don’t be worried! According to Dr. Spitzer, ‘Ospreys often line their nest with a plastic bag, which suggests they have figured out the insulating and moisture-conserving value of sheet plastic.’ Quite clever.”
Well, I guess we can be not worried!
1:45pmEDT 4/19/16 I’m trying to reply on my phone but it’s suddenly telling me I’m using wrong address..looks the same to me…I noticed other comments I had made haven’t shown up, sooooo…chalk it up to my techlessness
Anyhow, just wanted to reply to BETSY for,first,misspelling your name and then gender error. My face is red…….
Well, really, how could you know??? But, thanks.
CarolV: I don’t know that it’s techlessness so much. I think the site sometimes eats them!! I’ve seen comments posted, and then POOF, they’re gone!
1:28pmEDT 4/19/16 I think the G’s have been mating up on the camera perch check about 2 mins, ago,,have noticed this before,,,when the camera’s arockin’ don’t come aknockin’ !!!
Tired of us peeping -toms
CarolV: To be young and in love! IDK, sometimes they were very exhibitionistic (is that a real word?). George is very “active”, more than I’ve seen on other sites!!
It looks like it’s been so windy there — Gracie and George were really wobbling while standing on the nest. Yet, the PLASTIC STAYED, until just now when one piece blew away. Yeah!! Hope Gracie doesn’t find it and bring it back!!
After I posted this, I remembered I had read something about plastic in the nests! See above.
April 19-Approximately 3:20- I think that’s exactly what she just did. Hope the wind blows it far, far away next time.
Leanne: Just scrolled back and saw that. And, what a size piece of plastic she brought!!
12:50pmEDT ish Poor Gracie got bumped out by George rearranging furniture! Lots of in and out..looked like someone flew fairly close around the nest..George had a few words to say
Just after 1:00pm the neighbor was back to borrow a beck of straw
12:12pmEDT 4/19/16 To anyone concerned about “comfort” of G&G’s nest..check out Chesapeake Conservency’s peregrine cam…talk about only the basics!!!! Does anyone know if there is at least a feather liner or something on those stones?
CarolV: Right??!!
April 19 – Approximately 11:50 am -One of the birds just flew off with a piece of plastic attached to its talon.
When is Gracie due to start laying her eggs?
11:49amEDT 4/19/16 We’re starting egg-watch this weekend to celebrate EarthDay…It’s the earliest time frame according to when they started mating..so the optimists among us are counting from the first wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am
CarolV: Yeeeaaahh! Can’t wait! I came so late to the party last year. (We’ll see how well I tell the babies apart. LOL 🙂 )
I’ve been having an overwhelming urge lately for sushi!
Ok which bird is the male and which is the female. I noticed that on of the birds has 1 dot on the back of its head and the other has 2 ?
Scroll back on comments thru ERAFFERTY s comments. He has described them well recently
Thanks CarolV I did what you suggested and now I can tell the difference between the two.
I’m a she!!
Addendum – I’ve decided I’m going to just post as Betsy! Because every time I comment, somehow I change my name!!!!!
Thanks, BTW, CarolV for the compliment!
apologies…that’s ERAFTERY for descriptions…..that’s what I get for depending on memory instead of checking…sorry
8:20amEDT 4/19/16 George was busy this a.m. with seaweed and grass delivery..he must have made a 1/6 doz. deliveries between 6 and 6:30 or so. Breakfast was delivered around 7:30. There seems to be more wing strikes on the microphone/camera assembly than I remember from last year..is it possible the nest is taller?
Just checked in on DC eaglets..they are so aware of what’s going on around them! Being in the trees there must be lots of birds bopping around and they’re watching it all! Their feathers are popping thru that feathery down..growing so fast….
I don’t know if you caught it yesterday but one of the chicks got something caught in his throat and was choking for a good half hour. Mom was very concerned. I wanted to run up the tree and do the Heimlich on him. LOL. As you see it all worked out without my help. Thank goodness.
June B: Oh, that poor baby! I don’t go to that site often, just occasionally to take a quick peek. I think I would be devastated if baby didn’t make it. I’m kind of glad I didn’t see what happened with poor Pee Wee on this site last year.
Aren’t they just the cutest??!! Hard to believe those adorable chicks grow up to look so majestic!
Tiny bug-people just came on the field at Sandpoint cam…still light.as I forgot it would of course be….
That’s so funny! I viewed Sandpoint cam a few days ago after I read your post and Elaine’s reply. Kids were playing ball – yes, tiny bug-people!!
8:30pmEDT4/18/16 Must be moonshine sparkling on the water..just above edge of nest, slightly right of center…sparkles showing through “fingers” of twigs….Now leading back across water as moon rises…We get the BEST views…….
scroll back to about 8 and watch it “grow”
I’m rethinking my wish for nightcam…that was beautiful…..
Magical!
7pm 4/18/16 Gracie is just standing nest left quietly looking around. What a nice surprise to see a conformed nest bowl on the waters side of the thick stick that split the nest almost in half.
6:50 p.m. April 18 – Oh no! Looks like Gracie’s right talon is caught on some kind of line. I hope I’m wrong – waiting for her to move a bit more.
7:50 p.m. April 17 – I’m wrong…Gracie moved around a bit, with the line dragging seaweed, etc., but she flew off, with nothing on her foot. Sorry folks for the alarm, but glad I’m wrong.
I was watching intently and waiting, too. Phew, nothing happened!
I am curious as to where or what state most of the posters are from. I’m in Washington State.
Eastern Long Island,NY..South Fork..I work on the North Fork, about 10miles from East Marion, where the nest is.
Albuquerque New Mexico
That’s a beautiful state! Me, Lawn Guyland!
2:09pmEDT Love the name of your town! But must be a pain when your giving an address to someone…I have a doozy of a street name….
Gamma Carolyn: Greetings from Williamstown, Massachusetts.
I’m wondering like some others of you, where Gracie finds this black plastic. Crazy how she is attracted to it. And George has brought a variety today of larger sticks and sea grass. I love watching him scoop out the nest area for the eggs. So interesting. I did notice this afternoon while George was off fishing and Gracie was on the nest that the intruder did a fly by again. She did a good job of shooing him away, and George showed up a few minutes later with a nice size fish for her. I believe it was around 3:20 when the other osprey flew by. I’ve also laughed on and off when George has brought in a larger stick and bumps it into Gracie while trying to place it. So funny. Time to get those large sticks in place and fill in with the sea grass I think!
Intruder tried to land in nest at about 4:30 PM. Gracie chased it away — way to go, Gracie!
I just checked out the Chesapeake Conservancy nest cam. It’s nice, but it’s no Osperyzone. The camera angle on Gracie & George’s platform is perfect. It’s like a window.
At 3:35pm watched George arranging center of nest. Just to the right of black bag, his left claw, looking like fishing line stepped on. YEEKS…watched till he was able to fly off thank goodness but that filament is on left large branch. Hope they can maybe bury it with some seaweed of something…….
Yaaaayyy!!!! Can ours be far behind? Thanks
The Chesapeake Conservancy nest is so neat — no plastic wrap, no other garbage. Looks like George brought in a windshield wiper again, or something that resembles it. GinaM thanked Tommy for leaving out the twigs for George. I had seen a pile on the beach from my monitor, and should’ve realized it was the landlord looking out for his tenants. What a guy!! Yes, I thank you and Paul for everything related to our feathered family. This site is by far the best one around, especially since we can rewind four hours.
George and Gracie have started to build a nest. which is wonderful, but Steve and Rachel have not. appeared briefly, and I hope it will go, come on Steve and Rachel. I have a fear that they go somewhere else, and last year they got after the race eagle chicks. So she would like everything to be in order.
Zina,Steve and Rachael have only been back to there nest for a few days, which is why their nest is not more advanced than this nest .
We have two, new ospreys here on the North Shore on a newly constructed platform… maybe they moved here?
Zina: Steve and Rachel – they’re the ospreys from Maine? I remember watching a video last year in memory of the chicks. (I’m crying now!) I think if I saw something like that on one of the live cams, I would never watch them again! (I know it’s nature, but still …)
Can people stop giving poor George the bum rap about bringing a “windshield wiper” and plastic into the nest?! Over the past couple of days, it was Gracie, NOT George, bringing the plastic. In fact, she brought more today just before 1 PM. And, I don’t know of any wiper blades that are like 6 feet long – it looks more like some kind of plastic lawn/garden edging! Seems to me that a lot of people, even the ones who watched the ospreys last year, still can’t tell George and Gracie apart!! I started viewing this site late last year, shortly before the babies fledged, and I was so confused with people commenting “that was George … I think; no it was Gracie; no that was Ronnie; no it was Sandy”. Sheesh!
So, I’m taking the liberty of re-posting what I posted yesterday, slightly edited:
How to tell George and Gracie apart:
George had both a right chest wound, which appears totally healed and is no longer visible, and a left chest wound, which is almost healed (and, I believe, at one time, scratches down the center of his chest!). The markings on the front of George’s head looks sort of like, to me anyway, looking down on a deformed frog (or a like a shield), while Gracie’s is narrower and more cone-shaped with raggedy edges at the wide end. The markings on the back of George’s head looks like, as I read once somewhere in the comments and aptly describes, an osprey; and Gracie has sort of a dash, then an equal sign (– =) behind the cone, followed by a more rectangular fringe-like patch on the back of hers. On George, there is a mark halfway up in the center of the inside of each his wings, which Gracie doesn’t have. Gracie has a dark mark on the right lateral chest, but not on the left. Both have speckles on their chest, but Gracie has more and they’re darker; and George’s tail is darker. Gracie is more rumpled and patchy-looking, especially her wings. Gracie is – as female ospreys in general are, as per the literature – slightly larger than George. It’s easier to see when they’re together.
We LOVE the windshield wiper. We are not giving George a “bum rap” for it- It is his signature. Last year he had quite a collection.
Learned last year that we all see things differently…so I chose to go with my own IDs (not always right; I don’t think I ever got comfortable with the who’s who on the kids) and a few others. So take it with a grain of salt and don’t stress…We all mean well..I like that you have good intel…Thanks…
Sorry! Don’t mean to sound curmudgeonly! But, I like to know who’s who for sure. And, I think, when a person is new to the site and someone’s calling x by this name and someone else is calling x by that name … well, it can be so very, very confusing. They just look so different to me! Maybe the site needs an ID page like on other sites have!
Maybe George WILL bring a windshield wiper blade to the nest – but I really hope not!!! (It’s enough with the plastic!!)
We all look with loving eyes..yes, and sometimes we don’t get it right..I have twin grand-daughters and mess up now and then.
June C: You’re right. When I was growing up, we were friends with the “S” family who had twin boys. Mrs. S could tell instantaneously which twin was which, from the front, back, or side, but Mr. S usually had trouble. She would get so annoyed with him!
Thank you, Tommy, for leaving out those sticks for George to find… I love to watch him choose from your selection. 🙂
It’s amazing to watch how he drops down to pick up the sticks! It must be awesome to see from ground level. I know – we need a camera there! 🙂
Audrey does have an egg.
Yikes, this poor nest keeps becoming messy with plastic and now more wire and metal. Is there a dump, recycling yard, or some waste facility nearby?
This nest is a MESS…….sticks are very loose and they keep getting caught on them. This middle is not nice and soft and matted down…..i’m afraid for any babies this year.
Kathy: The nest is still a work in progress! And George is doing the best that he can. I’m sure it will all be fine in the end!
Ches.Conc cam..looks like broody position..anyone have info? Sun was shining into cam so I couldn’t see if there was an egg…
At 9:46 AM, Mrs Audrey Chesapeake finally stood up — sure looks like there’s an egg to me!
Carol, they have their first egg. Im not sure when but within a day. Perhaps late yesterday , or early today.
Yes, their Facebook page confirmed the first egg. Did you follow that nest last year? Their eggs did not hatch but the pair was given foster chicks that they raised successfully along with a young bird who showed up and stayed.
Sarah: I think that’s amazing that humans aren’t the only ones to do that!
6:15am 4/18/16 Gracie showed up about 5:15am George swooped in about 5:45 with seaweed in tow., said a few words, mated and took off. Just now, Gracie’s yelling alerted me as I type, that George was back with her 1/2 of a fish…She “quietly” accepted it and took off, leaving George to check out the view….
Am I wrong ..isn’t that about the same place we had a plastic flag flapping in the breeze last year? I remember it annoyed me then too
About 6:15am Gracie back with her fish …66:30ish..Geo stopped by with more seaweed to dry..
April 18-Breakfast is served at approximately 6:15 am E
Gracie arrives at nest and seems to arrive from perch. A while later I heard the same noises as before, kind of a clanking, and then George arrives from the perch. I guess they’re both spending some of the night on perch?
April 18- I checked in really quickly at 3:42 am and heard a noise that sounded like it may have come from the perch. Guess one of them is keeping watch at night?
Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but
after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new
to me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it
and checking back regularly!
George and Gracie have really been working on the nest today. And yes, it does look like George found a windshield wiper! (Where does he find these things?!!) Around 6pm George brought a half fish to the nest. Gracie wasn’t her usual chatty self, and sat patiently as George ate a bit, then fed her some. Really sweet. I don’t believe I’ve seen them do that before.
8:05pmEDT Looks like the Great Wall of Ospreyland is being erected !!! Maybe just stocking up to rearrange….
About 6:00pmEDT There was some nice feeding action..Geo feeding Gra and her thanking him sweetly
It seems to me that the nest will be smaller this year because of all the large sticks that are on the left side preventing the size of the nest further to the left side. On the left side the bottom of the platform and the railing are visible as I recall last year the nest covered the entire platform and covered all the railings. I saw George was trying to move that very large branch earlier today and I think that branch has been in a different place in the nest by maybe an inch or so but it is now practically in the middle of the nest. It looks like about 1/3 of the platform has so many large sticks in that area that it is now unusable . These sticks are now so tangled together I don’t think George can move them . Just an observation on my part.
at about 6 pm today one bird feed the other beak to beak …..
Around 6PM George was feeding Gracie..first time i noticed him doing that this year..must be getting close to laying eggs..so exciting!
Oh, my gosh! The SWEETEST thing! Just before 6 PM today (Sunday 4/17), George brought a fish back to the nest and was feeding Gracie pieces of the fish!
April 17- Around 6 pm- Fish delivery and George feeds Gracie 🙂
So sweet.
Beautiful day! Both George and Gracie are working on the nest a lot today. George brought another whole fish to Gracie about 1:20, which she quickly took and flew off to enjoy. Around 3:00 Gracie was in the nest alone, and I’m wondering if it was the intruder that tried to land on the nest, as Gracie flew up a bit and shooed it away. The nest is really taking shape!
Hi CarolV Re: wad of stalks . Read my post of 4/16 at 1043 to get the answer to what happened to it. I called it a clump of twigs but I think we mean the same item.
I’ve been only seeing George working on the nest, mating with Gracie, and bringing her fish, although there was an intruder briefly on the nest yesterday morning eyeing a partial fish left there until he/she flew away when Gracie came back and landed on perch.
How to tell George and Gracie apart:
George had both a right chest wound, which appears totally healed and is no longer visible, and a left chest wound, which is almost healed (and, I believe, at one time, scratches down the center of his chest!) – poor George; I guess he really loves Gracie! (ha ha) The markings on the front of George’s head looks like, to me, sort of like looking down on a deformed frog (or a like a shield), while Gracie’s is narrower and more cone-shaped with raggedy edges at the wide end. The markings on the back of George’s head looks like, as I read once somewhere in the comments and aptly describes, an osprey; and Gracie has a dash, then an equal sign (– =) behind the cone, followed by a more rectangular fringe-like patch on the back of hers. On George, there is a mark halfway up in the center of the inside of each his wings, which Gracie doesn’t have. Both have speckles on their chest, but Gracie has more and they’re darker; George’s tail is darker. Gracie is more rumpled looking. PLUS, if you haven’t noticed, Gracie is nearly always, to be kind, chattering!!
I forgot to mention that Gracie is – as female ospreys in general are, as per the literature – slightly larger than George. It’s easier to see when they’re together.
3:36pmEDT Just scrolled back to about 12:15ish to see the chest-push maneuver to build up the hollow…too funny!
Must be windy in Sandpoint!! Was getting dizzy watching the wobble on that nest! The female has an impressive bib making them easier to tell apart..leave it to our Gracie to keep us guessing!!
4/17/163:22pmEDT For Richard Russo..I just subscribed about an hour ago and am already done with it…the comments are good but the 2 inches of computer lanquage is a pain. On my computer I scrolled to the end of an e-mail and hit “unsubscribe..see if that works….also, make sure to uncheck the boxes beneath “post comment” box on site. Hope this works for both of us….
At 3:00 pm…is that a plastic bag in the bottom of the nest? I wish people would clean up after themselves
awwww, how cute! Big fish caught and George is feeding Gracie 🙂 #TrueLove
AT LAST…. what I have been waiting for. George has finally found a windshield wiper for the nest!
That was Gracie!! And I think it may be a thin strip of garden edging.
Where do you see a WW Gina?
Can someone tell me how to stop getting comments as emails. I visit the site every day, so I don’ really need the emails.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and uncheck the box or boxes under the “Post Comment” that say “Notify me of follow-up comments by email” and “Notify me of new posts by email”.
You should be thankful you get them :)) I don’t for some reason. Anyway right below the ” Post Comment ” box are 2 notify me boxes. Make sure they are not checked. If they are not checked and you still get the e-mails then I can’t be of much help because no one answers me on how TO get them.
Is there a link in the emails themselves to click on to stop receiving them?
I think you can just simply unsubscribe. Go to the bottom of the one of the emails that you receive.
1:41pmEDT The bay goes thru so many amazing colors of blue!!!!! If I could match a few, I would paint some walls!!
That is so true!
4/17/16 1:00pmEDT I noticed what looked to be some kind of metal channeling in the right lower corner…you can see it plainly around 12:30pm. It looks like it was there for awhile, but is now pushed over and down..is this the current substitute for wiper blades?
Hahaha !! Just saw a sparrow steal some small twigs from the nest !!