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osprey 07/11/15 squirt
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Belle’s Journey
Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky
Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.
IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.
Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.
Hello Paul,
Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.
Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.
I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.
Best wishes, and good luck,
John W. Fitzpatrick
Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.
Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.
charles.
*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.
Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com
Thurs. 9:45 AM- Gracie dealing with the intruder again…
I think he is hanging around because he knows that one of those eggs may be his!
In the Florida nest, the female laid three eggs, but only two hatched. Who knows what may happen here.
Good start to the day as George brought Gracie a fish around 5:15, which she promptly accepted and flew off with. She returned an hour or so later, and things went south at around 6:30 with the intruder making his morning runs at the nest. Gracie was alarming and stood to run him off, but he landed on the perch a couple of times. She flew up to shoo him away, but he was very persistent and returned several times. George finally returned and stayed on the perch, and the two of them went into alarm mode still a time or two more. Finally, after 15-20 minutes things quietened down. Gracie then settled in on the eggs, and George make a few runs to get grass and twigs for the nest. They both worked at arranging the new furnishings and settled down for awhile. Then intruder came around again at 8:35, and Gracie went into alarm mode again. George must have been close by, as he landed on the perch quickly and took over guard duty. This other bird needs to get a life! He is seriously getting annoying!
Thursday 8am..George in with more soft stuff for nest. Gracie off for a break. I’ve been gone for 3 days, nice to be back watching the nest.
Around 6:40 intruder came back and was relentless with Gracie…came back over and over again..if your able to play back it is a must see..
At 6:18 am Gracie was back. At 6:35 am Gracie started alarming while watching something flying nearby and then tracking it up to the perch and I heard something landing on the perch. Gracie stood up off the eggs and flew up to the perch; with that an osprey could be seen flying away. Gracie hopped back down off the perch, continued alarming and started flapping her wings. Then the osprey landed on the perch again, and Gracie flew up to the perch to chase it away again. Gracie settled back on the eggs, then started alarming again and an osprey could be seen circling around and making a few fly-bys and landing on the perch again. Gracie battled the other osprey for another couple of minutes. In the midst of this, George came back to the perch to also defend.
A couple of minutes after Gracie had settled back on the eggs again (above), the other osprey persisted in coming back to the nest, with Gracie leaving the nest to take off after it a couple of times!! … Just noticed, that was supposed to be nest that George flew back to (above).
To OZ: I got a video grab of the episode, but I don’t upload videos to YouTube and I wouldn’t feel comfortable without permission — I don’t want to steal OZ’s thunder for Highlights. So, I guess what I’m saying is, if you say yes, I will, if you say no, I won’t.
I hope that I am this understanding correctly — that since my comment was posted, it’s a go. 🙂 And, thank you!
The battle at the Georges’ this morning. The video is long, because just when you think it’s over …
I hit play and it said this video is private.. Sure it will be corrected because it was something to see..rough morning for Gracie
May 11- 7:46 pm- Just tried to watch the video and wasn’t able to. Says its private. Try posting it again because I really want to watch it and missed today’s excitement due to a wonky sleep schedule and Drs appointments. 🙂
Tried again and video to play and got it..everyone who missed this AM events, thanks to you, can see how bad the were
I know my heart went out to her..this intruder I don’t think is going to give up. I pray George n Gracie can hold their own.
Thank you for sharing to all.
May 12- 9:48 pm- I tried the video a second time and thankfully it worked. What an AMAZING part of Gracie’s life that you were able to capture. I watched the entire thing and am so impressed by our girl and the way she fought for her nest and eggs. I am so glad you posted it and shared it here with us. AMAZING!! Thank you 🙂
The date on my first reply should be May 12. Sorry for the error. 🙂
Thank you for posting the video of yesterday morning. Loved seeing how Gracie defends herself & the babies.
5:16amEDT 5/12 George was up early to get his honey breakfast..small whole fish for his lady love..off she goes
Gracie came back @6:19ish…all of the sardine..I mean small fish..was gone..she had a few minutes to do a quick round of tai-chi before heading home..@6:35 she was alarming and up off the nest..she stared at the perch and even got up and jumped up there to chase someone away; when she came down, the intruder returned;(could hear claws on perch) she chased him again and you could see him fly off toward the bay…But she’s alarming again..someone is really hassling her..he keeps trying to land on nest and she is chasing him off…she’s left the nest a couple of times, probably chasing him…and he keeps flying in so she has to jump at him..really being annoying..she went out backwards at one point but her grip on the plastic we all grouch about gave her something to hold on to… just now@6:46, she was off the nest again when George landed on right edge..he called her in, told her he could take care of it from here, so she settled back on the eggs..10 minutes of harassment is too much !!
@6:51am more alarming but I can hear George, too, so she has back-up..have to head out soon myself…Betsy, sounds like another busy day !!! limber up those typing fingers !!!
Rjoneal..your list is huge!! are we placing bets?
George was early today — he came at 5:16 am … and with a whole fish for Gracie. I guess since hadn’t brought her any food since the afternoon, he figured he’d get an early start today!
9:16ishpmEDT 5/11 Gracie was up and stretching..interesting effects as the lights from below highlight wing feathers and “squirt”..
9:29pm Just logged in to Hellgate cam to see what it was like..interesting view, but not even close to our Peconic Bay view…not that I’m prejudice or anything….
For those that are seeing the G’s panting..are building up warmth under their belly as they wiggle/as far down & around as possible to hold heat in under while laying over top of their eggs.
They are usually in standing position even while sleeping, lol i think the plastic underneath add to their body heat may also add to warmth to keep eggs warm during cold/rain weather.
So this is their way of sweating like dogs or cats lol. thats why i think they need to switch out so often to cool off/besides taking a stretch break
7:51pmEDT5/11 So good to see that right-side plastic anchored a little..less flapping..
I always enjoy the late afternoon lighting as it shines across the nest and shines off the white feathers on the birds….
Rjoneal..I agree with you that the intruder I saw looked like the second suitor from earlier in the season..Gracie just such a heartbreaker he couldn’t get over her???
May 11-3:46 pm. We just had strong storms move through here in Missouri. 60 mph winds, lightning and baseball AND grapefruit sized hail were reported. Thankfully, in my general area, we didnt get the hail but got everything else. Sooo glad the G’s dont have a nest in this area!!
Every time I complained about our weather, I said a silent “thank you” because so many places, especially Mid-west and Texas were having such an awful time…Glad you’re okay”
8:12pm…Now I can look forward to watching something on my day off more interesting than the ID channel or binge-watching “The Tudors” (my last guilty pleasure)…Thanks for all your expertise….
Gracie had been on the nest since 1:43 pm, when she returned from lunch (George had brought her a nice-size whole fish at 12:50 pm and she did not bring any of it back to the nest when she returned). At 2:26 pm, George brought a (headless) fish back to the nest. Gracie was making quiet begging calls, but she made no attempt then to get up off the eggs to grab the fish, she only stood up slightly over the eggs. George leaned over to feed Gracie. At first, even though she was making her begging calls, she didn’t appear interested in eating. (Well, I guess, who would after only having come back from lunch less than 45 minutes prior??!!) After George tried a few times to give her a piece of fish (and sneaking in a few bites for himself), Gracie finally accepted the piece, and then took several more from him. She finally got up off the eggs to stand next to George to take another few pieces from him. Then she went back over to the eggs to sit. George ate a little more of the fish before flying off with it, returning at 2:47 pm, with it grasped in the same foot and landing in the same spot he had landed just 20 minutes before. Again, although Gracie was begging, she only stood partway up over the eggs when George returned. Again, George leaned over to feed Gracie, and, again, she did not seem that interested in eating. And, again, after several tries from George, she finally took pieces of fish from him while still on the eggs. I thought I had hit replay!! She eventually got up off the eggs to walk to the edge of the nest and stretch her wings … And then she snatched the fish and flew away.
For those of us who witnessed the cruel part of nature last year with the demise of Pee Wee, a similar situation is developing with the Pergrine Falcon family in Baltimore. There are 3 babes hatched April 24,25, and 26. 3rd baby is much smaller and like Pew Wee, has trouble competing for food. Hope the little guy makes it. Healthy at this point.
http://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/peregrine-falcon-webcam
On another note, it is much easier to watch a fish being consumed by an Osprey than a pigeon or duck ripped apart by a falcon!!!
I have to admit, I tried watching the falcon site, and even the eagle sites, and got squeamish about the feather and fur remains…Just call me chicken..but not in from of the meateaters….
that’s in FRONT of…
I clicked on the link this morning. I saw the chicks, all huddled together – with 1 looking around and the other 2 sleeping – and a parent standing watch. I watched for a little while, but I guess it was too chilly and too early for them to be moving about. Thanks for the link.
just wanted to make two suggestions..ideas from another site…first to have an information banner at the top of the screen with the important dates..like the dates eggs were laid and when they hatch etc. second if you could post pictures of both george and Gracie showing their distinctive markings for those of us that have a hard time telling them apart. I love this site and am a “regular” and feel those would be welcome improvements.
May 11- 3:42 pm- I have videos on youtube if they might help you. Just search Gracie and they should pop up. Gracie is larger and her feathers aren’t quite as dark as George’s. She has a black spot under her right wing, on her side. The black mark on the top of her head is not as think as George’s and appears more pointy. It can be very hard to tell them apart but if you keep watching, it will get easier. 🙂
Sorry. I meant to write that the black mark on her head isnt as THICK, not think.
Hello everyone if you have been watching or even just reading the comments then you have noticed our young male intruder has been around for a couple of days now. He obviously is not the one George got in a fight with since the other day he landed right in the nest with Geo and at first Geo was going to give the youg bird a chance to realize he wasnt wanted but when the intruder male went to get a little comfy Geo shewed him away. If this had been the same intrud that attacked Geo he would have remember that and would have gone into attack mode right away. This bird has not been aggressive in any way other than he wants to hang out or try and take over the nest cause he cant find a mate or a nest. G&G are both doing a good job trying to keep him away with alarm and not fighting which is good. I dont think this youg intruder is going to give up he has nothing to lose. Someone asked if this happened last year. I can only speak for myself that we had intruders off and on but we never had anyone land in the nest after the eggs were in the nest and at the time it seemed to never be the same intruder. Always just one passing through. I even remember intruder young adult was following George once he caught a fish and was going to the nest we could see this on the beach area view but intruder never went to the nest we think he was just hoping Geo would drop fish then he could get it. George is a good protector and Gracie is a big bird so together they will stay. Gracie will not allow another male to take over she is and has bonded with George. If George was not a good provider or protector and if he could not mate maybe just maybe Gracie would consider it. As we noted from the Osprey Experts Gracie and George have showed beak kisses,feeding the other, shielding,providing and this is just some of the gestures ospreys do once they are bonded. Another good thing to point out Unlike Eagles the osprey male intruder will not try to eat the babies as Eagles would. I got lots of pictures and we got a lot of osprey followers that have video of this intruder and a couple of us have compared him back to being the one in April that brought fish to Gracie and we believe he is also the same one that tried to mate with Gracie.
Thank you for the information! I didn’t start watching last year until all the chicks had hatched, and I don’t remember seeing other osprey coming as close to the nest as this one has. Nature is so interesting, and it’s fun learning more about the habits of these magnificent birds. Also glad you mentioned that the intruder osprey won’t eat the chicks. I had wondered about that but was afraid to ask! Thanks again for your great input.
Alright, now my curiosity is piqued! I had the OZ site open … I clicked on the YouTube button – because I was curious if I was the only one watching George pant in the sun! (I wasn’t … so were 81, no 82, no 81 others!) … George had been chereeking, then his beak wasn’t moving, but he was still chereeking … and I know he’s not a ventriloquist! … So I opened the YouTube site in its own window and then switched to show OZ and YouTube windows side by side … I had no idea there was a 4- to 5-second lag (OZ site lags, if you want to know!) … Oh, wait … now YouTube is lagging!!
I sometimes have my laptop and my chromebook on at the same time and they rarely are synchronized…and neither is on youtube…I’ve wondered about that…
A hair (or maybe a feather?) before 11:10 am, George, sitting on the eggs, started intently watching something, then he started alarming, then he jumped up and immediately flew out of the nest …he was back in less than a minute, and upon landing back in the nest, stood and alarmed while tracking the intruder. He settled back on the eggs after a couple of minutes; but again, after a couple of minutes, started alarming and tracking again … It’s been quiet now for the past 10 or so minutes …
I watched the nest at this stage last and there was no problem with intruders. None in sight
Welcome back…you are right…nothing like this last year
5/11/16 11am Ugly small pests flying around the nest.
and….. If all else fails, I can easily identify Mr. or Mrs. by their legs. Gracie has snow-white stompers and George has “dirty legs”
and …… CarolV …. that was funny: “coffee clatch” (Klatsch). Gracie for sure deserves a break once in a while. And it seems to me, George is taking more turns this season. WHAT A TEAM !!!
I thank God for the privilege to be part of this. R
Thank you..I figured my spelling was off but I winged it..
Poor Gracie, she’s on the nest now and panting … I see the temperature is supposed to be in the mid to upper 60’s out east with light wind … OK, so, let’s see … we need a windbreak (preferably rotating, depending on the direction of the wind – but not blocking the camera view!), we need an umbrella for protection from the rain and the sun (set up above the camera so it is not blocking the camera view), maybe a fan for when it’s hot and there is no wind, a remote-operated robotic arm to remove any dangerous materials from the nest, and a Pesky Intruder-B-Gone visual bird deterrent!! 😉 🙂 😀
And it all has to automatically collapse to allow large winged birds to land….and reset…
I didn’t think of that!! 😀
Did anyone watch the nest last year during this stage and was there the issue of another osprey flying over and around the nest as much as there has been this year? It seems this is almost a daily thing now, as one flew very close above and then beside the nest while George was on egg patrol about 6:30. Wondering if this is possibly the male that kept trying to mate with Gracie earlier, and maybe he never found a mate of his own. George brought Gracie a nice fish for breakfast around 8:15, and things seem to be quiet now. Nice to see another pretty day on the North Fork!
8:10 am A fish for Gracie … and away … and away … no, wait, she’s having trouble grasping it … and …. and … and … wait, did she lose it? … no, she’s got it! … and finally! away she goes! … 8:16 am George is alarming and waving his wings again at someone overhead!! … OK, calm now … Come on Mr. intruder — the house is not on the market!
Watching the “NewGuy” over at the Hellgate nest reminds me what a great dad and mate George is! These things are soft-wired into instincts, but the younger ones have to learn to do everything from stepping carefully around the eggs, to brooding properly. George is clearly well-learned and a great caretaker. <3
Tora: I remember your comment from April … that Iris’ mate hadn’t yet shown up … I don’t watch the Hellgate site, but I’m saddened to learn that the mate didn’t make it back. 🙁 That’s interesting, though, that they essentially have to learn parenting skills.
Hi Betsy, Yes! I follow a few nests, but the Hellgate nest has been especially dramatic. Last year their eggs were destroyed in a hailstorm, so we were all hoping her old mate would come back and they would have a good year. Unfortunately, he didn’t, and she was fighting off intruders and all sorts! The new male she accepted as her mate is obviously new, but we are learning along with him. Definitely makes you appreciate George. I think this is the first nest I have witnesses mate-feeding on as well.
about 6:40am Gracie is back from coffee clatch..shortly after she settled in,@6:50ish..harassing stranger circles above..George sounds like he’s on the perch, so a double chorus of chirps scare him off..
The intruder must still be close … at just about 6:30 am, while sitting on the eggs, George began intently watching something, then he stood up off the eggs, ready to defend … What will this day bring?
It’s starting already … alarming … a fly-by overhead … alarming … another fly-by overhead this time with intruder feet seen on the screen … more alarming … now George is calmed down … danger is past, for now … Gracie and George just did a switch-and-sit.
I had meant to put with the first fly-by that the intruder flew from out over the water directly over the nest!
Betsy and All ~ I’m not surprised about other “intruders” flying overhead, scaring G & G. There are, at the very least, five (5) or more osprey nests in the East Marion area, clearly visible from the main road, which I’ve already pointed out, and they ALL fish “out of the same pond”. Undoubtedly, a few of them have to fly overhead near the nest, to get to their own nest, so there’s an alarm sounded for a possible threat. This will go on here and there all throughout the summer, as the babies hatch, grow, and ultimately fledge. Right now, those eggs are the most precious items in G & G’s world, and they will guard them. There might be a few single males looking for mates, but they are really looking in “all the wrong places”. Established nests are not the places to “look”. But G & & G don’t know the dynamics. Seagulls are apparently ignored, however.
LynD: I know ospreys form “loose colonies,” and another osprey will cut across someone’s yard, so to speak, but this seems to be more than that! The osprey (I’m assuming it’s the same one) has been landing IN the nest and this morning landing ON the perch (several times) and diving at Gracie. So I don’t think this is a case of just flying through to get to the water or back to their own nest. Eggs can and do get broken in fights and an established male can be driven out of the nest. (http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/b/lochgartenospreys/archive/2015/05/02/battle-of-the-birds.aspx?pi353792403=2) and (https://kielderospreys.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/serious-intruder-incident-on-nest-2-and-aftermath/)
5:25amEDT 5/11 George taps in for his morning turn so Gracie can run errands…it’s 6:33 and she is still out…must have a long to-do list..
May 11= 5:42 am- Approximately an hr ago, Gracie woke up, got off the eggs, stretched her wings and did her business off the side of the nest. About 45 mins later, George arrived, they switched places and Gracie took off. I might be a little off on the times as I had to scroll back to see these things PLUS I havent been to sleep yet. Insomnia seems to want to be my friend.
Have a good day, everyone 🙂
A little before 7 EST George takes over for Gracie to give her a much deserved break.
Is it possible to delete the replies to Aidens and OspreyZones 2 posts that were supposed to be on the top and alone? Maybe shut off the reply feature to those 2 posts too? The replies are becoming more and now we have to scroll deeper to read what has happened in the nest. Thank you 🙂
Mickey Martin: Please ask them if they could also put a “back-to-bottom” button … so we don’t also have to scroll and scroll and scroll to get all the way down to the comment box!! 😀
Another switch by George and Gracie, at just before 3:15 pm, when Gracie returned from her lunch break – coming back without any leftover fish. I couldn’t tell if George was looking for fish or if he was trying to see past her legs at something! George loaded up on more nest supplies a couple of times while Gracie was on egg duty. Then he was back at 4:20-ish pm to switch places with her. As Gracie took off, her talons caught on the flapping plastic (courtesy of George trying to move it Sunday evening!!). Now, with the wind, the plastic is really flapping in George’s face and, at times, hiding his head as he naps. I wonder how long it will be until it becomes his next project.
INTRUDER ON THE NEST, just a minute ago, as George was napping
Wow, that was just really something!! There was George, asleep, when Mr. or Mrs. Intruder landed in the nest right next to him!! George didn’t react right away … just looked at him, as if thinking “Am I dreaming this?” … same as Gracie didn’t really react this morning when the intruder landed in the nest. Holy smoke, twice in one day!! … I got a video grab … Leanne, hope you caught it and will post it!
After the George encounter with the intruder, everything else is so anticlimactic!! No further excitement. Gracie was fed and is now in for the night.
Here are another couple of sites about heat and birds. I found others, but they are scientific or are related to specific birds:
http://35.8.7.173/visit/birdsanctuary/bird-news/687-how-do-birds-stay-cool
http://blog.nwf.org/2010/08/nature-qa-how-do-birds-stay-cool-in-the-summer/
Gracie came back at 1:10 pm; she looked at George and quietly chirped to him, as if telling him to go rest now, out of the sun (or, maybe, it was “can you go get me some lunch, please?”). After staying in the same spot for almost 45 minutes, Gracie got up to change her position, first doing a bent over hammy-and-wing stretch, before poking around the eggs and then moving the plastic back to the spot it was originally in this morning. After trying to poke the plastic back down into place, and having it get snagged on her beak and then the wind moving it away, she said “Oh, the heck with this”, and gave up, letting it fly around on the nest. She settled back down on the eggs for another 15 minutes and then changed position again. 10 minutes later, at 2:13 pm, George brought lunch – whole fish was on the menu – and as she flew away with her fish, the plastic caught on her foot, and it flew away as well!!. George is still on the nest as I write this, doing his usual George things!
at 2:15 George brought nice size fish with head on..and Gracie’s talon caught on to that ugly piece of back plastic bag..and off they went.. Gracie one way bag in the wind…
not all, just the piece over eggs
I like the way you put that … Gracie one way, bag in the wind!! 🙂
May 10- 5:28 pm- Knowing Gracie, she’ll be bringing it back. 🙂
😀
Heading still needs to be changed when you click on “Larger Size”
After Gracie left with her fish around 9:24 am, George planted himself on the eggs and thoroughly cleaned off his beak … and for almost the next hour, he passed the time napping, scratching himself, the occasional fidgeting with things, napping, re-positioning himself, turning the eggs, looking around, and napping … and then he remembered the plastic – which Gracie had pulled out from under the eggs yesterday and battled with during the day and had, apparently, managed to tuck back in place under the eggs during the night … so, George pulled it back out … and then spent the second half of his shift napping, re-positioning himself, turning the eggs, napping, moving the plastic, trying to poke the plastic back down, and napping … until Gracie’s return at about 11:40 am … Gracie spent her almost 1 hour shift mostly napping and ignoring the plastic – I think she had had enough of it yesterday! When George came back around 12:40 pm, bearing a new twig for the nest, almost the first thing he did before sitting on the eggs was to move the plastic, so that it ended up covering them … and we could all have major worries not knowing if they were all safe!! 🙂
If a bird breathes through its mouth, does that indicate that it’s nostril air passages are blocked by mucous?
Judith W: Birds don’t have sweat glands; so, when they’re hot they “pant” (similar to what dogs do when they’re hot).
“Respiratory evaporative heat loss – this is the most important form of heat loss in birds and virtually all birds exhibit some form of panting. … Many, if not all, birds flutter the throat area during heat exposure, resulting in heat loss from the mucus membranes of the throat. The hyoid bone flexes and the whole area is suffused with blood.” (http://ornithology.com/ornithology-lectures/7898-2/)
Thanks for the information. Glad to know it’s normal.
A nice warm day ahead for Chez George. I never thought we would see the sun again here on Long Island.
9:24 am George flew in with good-size headless fish for Gracie … she took off with it, but not after first having some difficulty – actually, a lot!! – picking it up with her foot … George is now on eggs …
Well, I can see that this may be a busy morning at the Georges’ … Just before Gracie returned at 7:27 am, George, who was on the eggs and had been doing his usual fussing with things (and scratching himself with his beak!), started alarming as another osprey apparently flew over the nest … then, as the stranger could be seen flying out toward the water, Gracie flew in and landed on the nest … both she and George started alarming, with George jumping up off the eggs to stand, as the other osprey did a fly-by right over the nest …Gracie settled on the eggs and, after a few more warning calls by George to tell the other osprey to stay away, George flew off the nest, coming around in a circle to land on the perch and giving a few more warning calls to say that this was HIS turf … shortly before 8 am, George, still on the perch, gave a few more calls as Gracie, still on the eggs, was watching something out over the water … 8:21 am: George came back with a twig for the nest, landing with it on Gracie, and then, with great difficulty at first because his leg was in the way, positioned it. Gracie took off and George took his turn on the eggs. A few minutes ago, George, on the eggs, started alarming…Gracie landed back at nest … both she and George took turns alarming and an osprey could be see flying and circling out over the water … Yup, I think it’s gonna be a busy morning!
At 8:40 am (which was actually the “few minutes ago” I was referring to above … but, I forgot, typing takes time … well, it takes me time!) after Gracie had returned to the nest, and things quieted down, Gracie relieved George and George flew up to the perch. Shortly afterward, George started loudly calling out to whoever was still annoying them … it’s quiet now (this time as I hit post!), except for the lawn care guys!
Lessa I got your date and time you have been added to the list welcome.
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ? meaning complete release of egg. The babie out enough were parents have to feed.
Update as 5-10-16 AM
more osprey viewers added
Lessa
June 3, 7am
————-
Donna
May 30 afternoon 2 pm ish
Tucker
June 5th 7am
Mary Y
May 30
Marlene
June 2 in the morning
Isobel
2nd of June between 3 and 5pm
Lyn D
June 8th between 6 a m. and 2 p. m.
Margaret
6/5 between 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Leanne
June 01- early early morning
Kathy B
May 31st. 11:13 am
Lucie Pecor
June 2nd 2am
Rodee Hansen
June 3rd – Friday – between 9 am and 3 pm.
Jara
June 4 at 12:01 am
Bobbie
Tues, May 31st, between noon and 5pm
Redkayak
June 5th morning
Bre
May 30th, Monday morning around 9am-ish..
Patty
June 2nd afternoon
Rjoneal
June 3 am-12noon
June C
June 2 AM
Carol IV
June 4,between 5am and 11am for first hatch…
Betsy
Jun 4th at 1 pm for first hatch.
Carol IV You are too funny your message to Betsy telling her to behave I told her the same thing and that you’re a big girl and can take care yourself. She is just always looking out for you
7:23amEDT George is still on the nest..he reacts to a possible fly-by (didn’t see anyone) and stands up, chirping and flapping, showing his ownership..within minutes, Gracie comes in..she stands with him, yelling at the threat ..after things calm down, Gracie settles in and George takes off…
At 5:21 am George stopped by the nest, and standing on the front (toward the water) right (our) corner of the nest, made an announcement to the world that this was his home, then quickly left. Within 10 minutes George was back, bringing a partial fish for Gracie … however, just before George returned, another osprey landed on the (our) front left corner of the nest, stood, looking around for a few seconds, then left as George was approaching with the fish – I had to rewind a couple of times, thinking that the video had jumped somehow. The weird thing is, Gracie didn’t go into all-out defense mode!! … I watched a little longer to see if there would be any more drama … there was not. Gracie flew away with her fish, leaving George sitting on the nest, then returning about 20 minutes later, where she is now, incubating the eggs.
I’m just sitting here thinking, as I drink my morning coffee and watching the morning with George and Gracie unfold (George was back at about 6:35 am to relieve Gracie, BTW) … could the other osprey be a clutch-mate of Gracie’s? … and, since we don’t know her history – did she have a former mate or how old she is … could the osprey be a former chick?
6:27amEDT George must be on the perch or very closeby…you can hear him clearly, chirping loudly..Maybe that bold stranger is still hangin’ round..
6:35..George drops in again and sends Gracie off to JABS for some fitness training.
I wonder why Gracie doesn’t fish for herself..she’s had breaks long enough …
The female osprey is fed by the male from the time she returns from the winter break, until the chicks are older and close to flying on their own. I don’t remember exactly when she started fishing for herself last year, but it was later in the summer.
about 5:20amEDT 5/10 George stops in to say good morning..and goes off..
@5:25 a stranger touched down on the left edge of the nest..Gracie was getting up to chase him off as George flew in to sight and the unknown bird left.George had a headless fish for Gracie, which she grabbed and ran with.
Gracie was back in 13mins. to take the nest back…BEAUTIFUL sunrise, with a rainbow effect on the water to the east..peaceful day to all…
Sorry…that was supposed to be about 5:35 for George’s return
I was wondering if anyone else saw that. I scrolled back to see the morning activities and got a bit confused, as George had left the nest, then an intruder landed, Gracie stood to shoo him away, and then George appeared from the opposite direction with the fish for Gracie. Saw another osprey fly under the nest about the same time. I hope this other bird doesn’t cause trouble when the eggs hatch!
May 09- 10:46 pm- Just checking in on Gracie. I can see her snuggled up in nest. Doesn’t seem as windy tonight.
Leanne, thanks for the Gracie yawn video. How cute is that!!
May 10- Glad you enjoyed it. I have quite a few videos of them on youtube. Just search Gracie and they should pop up. I usually try to begin each one with that name so people on here can enjoy them. 🙂
I’ve missed out on watching much the last few days, and haven’t added my guess for the first egg hatch time and date. So my guess is June 3, 7am
8:24pm On the scroll back, around 6:40-45, the shadow of something can be seen flapping from the perch..George must have decorated the “upstairs”, too….possibly seaweed since it looked thin.Nope, rewatched and saw it had more substance….a plastic banner? Like royalty..the flag is flown when they are at home?
5-9-16 Monday pm reply to Sue I couldnt have said it any better than you did on your post when you said (SOOOOO SWEET!!! Mama’s on the nest getting fed by dad & chirping like a baby in between mouthfuls. She looks wet & muddy around the chest- poor thing!) I love to watch them bond like this even if it is a human emotion I am feeling towards them, to me it is a precious not everyday event so I cherish it.
Leanne good eye on Gracies yawn I saw that too I got a good laugh out of it.
May 10- I couldnt believe it when I saw it. Then I wondered if maybe she was choking a little bit. Considering she was ok I just went with a yawn. Has to get a little boring up there. 🙂
5-9-16 pm Monday June C thanks for giving us heads up on the intruder I would have missed that one. Glad Geo did not get hurt. I also like when you post your are direct to the point with info on events and times so I can go back and take pics if I missed anything.
Carol you are such a hoot you and Betsy keep me laughing and up to date. Thanks for using humor and some education info in your post both ladies.
About 50 minutes after Gracie’s return at 1:10-ish pm, and having remained in the same position position, Gracie got up off the eggs, then pulled the tattered sheet of plastic that she had been playing with during her previous shift over the eggs before settling back onto them. A few minutes later, as Gracie saw George returning to the nest with a (headless) fish, she started calling to him. She made no attempt to get up off the eggs when he landed and George began feeding her small pieces of the fish … watching her to see when she was ready for another piece, even cocking his head to the side at times as he watched. If I thought the time he spent feeding her the other night was long … this feeding session was almost three times as long – a good 22 minutes!! George flew off, leaving the fish behind on the nest. Several minutes after George left, Gracie got up off the eggs to change her position, noticing as she did so that her foot was through a hole in the plastic (and yes, she did notice, because she was looking down and behind at it to see what was around her leg). She pulled her foot back through the hole, but as she started to walk to move the plastic away, and holding the plastic with her beak, her foot slid back through the hole! After taking a few steps – with some difficulty because of the wind flapping the plastic against her body – she set the plastic down, then walked back to the eggs, dragging the plastic back with her! About 25 minutes later, Gracie stood up to turn the eggs; she pulled the plastic out, placed it on the opposite side of the eggs, and poked it down into place. At 3:10-ish pm, she saw that the fish was still in the nest, so she walked over to the fish, and began ravenously eating it (swallowing the tail with a lot less difficulty than George did a couple of nights ago!) She walked back to the eggs to continue sitting on them (don’t panic about her not being on the eggs for those few minutes … go back and read my April 26th comment about eggs and incubation). George and Gracie each did a few more switch-and-sits, all without snagged plastic or other incidents. Although the wind was really blowing today, with strong gusts … at one point in his early afternoon shift, George was dozing when a sudden gust of wind snapped the plastic, making him jump and startling him awake! … it was a nice day.
Donna I have added your name to list,nice to see you joined us, good luck.
Lyn D I got your date and times and your name is on the list. Good luck and I am happy you joined in.
Isobel I got your date and time and your name is on the list. UK huh you said it was sunny there well I live in Florida and even when its raining we have sun I wouldnt want to live anywhere else. Glad you are with us again this year if you are the same Isobel as last year its going to be an exciting one.
Leanne I did go on YTube and watched several of your videos that you have posted nice. Really enjoyed them. Cant wait till we really have something to watch once the babies are born things always get interesting.
Tucker glad you joined in have not seen a post from you lately. I know once the babies are born more people will be posting hope your guess is a good one.
Mary Y I got your date added to our list thanks for participating
Marlene I got the date you requested hope good luck you should see your name is on the list thank you for joining us
6:58pm to Rodeehansen….some of what I write is interpretation of what I see..I knew George was on perch(upstairs) because I had seen his shadow as he flew over.then heard him as he and Gracie chirped together as a seeming challenge to some intruder..then, Gracie looked toward George and started her “fish dance”, as when she sort in walks around calling loudly.
Then George dropped in to the nest with the fish, so I figured I was correct in my assumptions…
As to COMMENT and REPLY…you made a comment so you know it’s the box at the bottom of the page..with each comment.on the line next to name and date is the word Reply..if you click on that, the box opens directly beneath the remark you wish to reply or add to…that way you don’t have to scroll all the way back to the bottom. I don’t always use the Reply option because sometimes what I’m referring to is far down the page after all comments fill in.
Hope this helps…
And I just saw Betsy had filled you in already..hadn’t read up that far…
6:49pmEDT Betsy…I had resubscribed after that and it was working fine..and I check boxes everytime and have not been sent a confirmation e-mail…I am soft in the head sometimes, o wise one (substitute other 3 letter word) but not total mush yet.
also left comment under your 5/8 3:33 post…
Saw it.
6:38pmEDT..Was hoping comments would be up for today’s happenings..oh,well…will catch up whenever..
On the way to work, as I turned on to rt.105, by the Peconic River, I saw an osprey, holding a fish, landing in a dead tree..he was flapping his wings in defense against another osprey who was worrying him from above..I guess the second one was looking for an easy fish dinner..I SO wanted to pull over and get out to watch, but hi-ho, hi-ho, I owe, I owe..off to work I went….
Oh, YAY..comments up..forgot to refresh page…
SOOOOO SWEET!!! Mama’s on the nest getting fed by dad & chirping like a baby in between mouthfuls. She looks wet & muddy around the chest- poor thing!
Oh, my gosh! I was doing chores, emails and stuff … I just looked at the screen and George is feeding Gracie!!
I don’t know if I’ll ever not get excited about watching them doing that … it’s, too me, just something so wondrous and beautiful!
May 09- It’s pure sweetness, I agree. Always makes me smile 🙂
Picking up where I left off … Oops, scrolled back too far … that’s okay, though, because I’m just seeing the bug walking on the camera housing that I hadn’t seen earlier (at the -2:25 mark = somewhere shortly before 11 am) – interesting view!! … At 11:15-ish am, Gracie was digging with her beak around the eggs and ending up freeing the piece of plastic that was tucked under them … she partially tucked it under and around the eggs before sitting back down on the eggs. 20 or so minutes later, as she repositioned herself, she pulled the plastic up again with her beak … it was so windy, that I was waiting/hoping for the plastic to be blown away, but she managed to tuck a piece of it into the nest to anchor it down, and then she sat back down the eggs and on the plastic. A few minutes before noon, she got up to change her position again, picked up the plastic in her beak … poked it down into the nest and settled back on the eggs with the plastic now in front of her … A minute later, George came for his shift, poking with his beak around the eggs and then sitting on them, seemingly completely oblivious to that piece of plastic alongside him. George being George, I thought that he would immediately spot it and start moving it around … eventually, he did – although it took a few minutes – giving it a few good pokes into the nest.
May 09- 1:00 pm- I just got a cute little video of Gracie yawning. Did anybody else see it? So cute 🙂
https://youtu.be/-FPdnTucwE8
A few minutes before Gracie returned, at 9:20 am, George was peacefully dozing while sitting on the eggs … he suddenly started alarming and then leapt up off of the eggs as an intruder flew overhead … settling back down on the eggs after it was gone … only to almost immediately start alarming again. Gracie landed in the nest a minute or so later, and then she and George both started alarming. The intruder flew past near the nest (yes, I really saw it on the video stream) … then he circled around and did a perilously close fly-by (yes, I really saw it on the video stream). George and Gracie continued alarming until the intruder was apparently gone (no, I didn’t see it on the video stream, but George and Gracie settled down, meaning they no longer felt threatened). … After all of the excitement, Gracie settled on the eggs and George left. She had an uneventful shift for the next 40 minutes, repositioning the eggs and herself periodically, then flying away at close to 10 am without waiting for George to relieve her. Less than a minute later, George came down from the perch (how do I know this? The camera shook as he took off from the perch – the camera is affixed to the perch, which is affixed to the platform upon which George and Gracie built their nest). Gracie returned to the perch after 15 minutes (how do I know this? I saw an osprey on the video stream fly up toward where the perch is located and heard the noise as it landed. How do I know it was Gracie? George would have gone into defense mode had it been any other osprey trying to land on the perch). George settled back down on the eggs and a minute or so later Gracie flew down to the nest (no, I’m not going to explain how I know this) and George took off. Gracie is presently sitting on the eggs. I’m glad to see it is a nice day today – sunny with a mix of clouds and that the wind is relatively calm.
Intruder fly by around 9:30..finally sun!
In all seriousness now, I am copying and posting an edited version of what I previously posted (I had to find it first!):
To post a comment: Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the box under “Leave A Comment,” type in the comment you want to make, put in the name you want shown and your email address (which will not show in the comment), and hit “post comment” and your comment will come up free-standing. Check the boxes “Notify me of follow-up comments by email” and/or “Notify me of new posts by email” if you want (I don’t) and you’re all set.
Versus
To post a reply: A reply is in response to someone’s original post. Click on the reply button next to the name of the person you wish to respond to, type in the reply/response that you want to make, etc., as above.
However, to complicate matters, a reply to someone’s post can also be posted as a stand-alone comment. Viewers frequently do this because, sometimes, after all of the day’s worth of posts, a person’s reply can get lost in the shuffle.
What I did now was a reply that I posted as a stand-alone comment.
Easy peasy!
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ?
Update as 5-9-16 AM
more osprey viewers added
Donna
May 30 afternoon 2 pm ish
————-
Tucker
June 5th 7am
Mary Y
May 30
Marlene
June 2 in the morning
Isobel
2nd of June between 3 and 5pm
Lyn D
June 8th between 6 a m. and 2 p. m.
Margaret
6/5 between 7:00 am to 3:00 pm
Leanne
June 01- early early morning
Kathy B
May 31st. 11:13 am
Lucie Pecor
June 2nd 2am
Rodee Hansen
June 3rd – Friday – between 9 am and 3 pm.
Jara
June 4 at 12:01 am
Bobbie
Tues, May 31st, between noon and 5pm
Redkayak
June 5th morning
Bre
May 30th, Monday morning around 9am-ish..
Patty
June 2nd afternoon
Rjoneal
June 3 am-12noon
June C
June 2 AM
Carol IV
June 4,between 5am and 11am for first hatch…
Betsy
Jun 4th at 1 pm for first hatch.
The only thing that I question about this guessing contest is: what is considered a hatch? A pip? or the actual complete release of the chick from its egg? Sometimes, the difference between the two can be hours and sometimes a day or more. Please clarify? Thanks! This is fun!
Lyn D and everyone else I knew this ? would probably come up
For the Egg Hatch guess I think it should be complete release of egg. The babie out enough were parents have to feed. I hope everyone agrees.
LynD and Rjoneal: Good point! I’m going with Rjoneal … of course, as you know, I had to look it up first for factual information!! 😀
Hatching: Emerging from the egg. A clutch may hatch synchronously (all at about the same time — see synchronous hatching) or asynchronously (over a period
of several days — see asynchronous hatching).
Pipped: Describes an egg about to hatch, in which the embryo within has punctured a small hole.
(http://www.birds.cornell.edu/homestudy/studentinfo/images/HSCGlossary.pdf)
Like clockwork, a couple of minutes before 5:30 am, George flew in to relieve Gracie. Almost immediately, after first looking around, he started to work on the piece of plastic that he had dislodged last evening – at least it’s only fluttering now, not like last night! – and the seesaw piece of wood, and took a few snaps in the direction of the looting sparrows … A switch at 6:10 am, with Gracie taking over … And then, George was back within 15 minutes with grass and away Gracie went … to return just this second. Now I can go make my coffee!
Heard Gracie “talking” for the last few minutes … thought George was coming with a fish … nope, he was just bringing more grass and twigs.
I’ve been listening to Gracie hollering off and on for the last 15 minutes … come on George, where’s breakfast??!!
At last … My fish has come along … My hungry morning’s over … And life is like a song … Oh yeah yeah (Etta James’ “At Last” … osprey version!!)
Where was I … scrolling back, scrolling back … Oh, yeah … the wind was picking up and George was awaiting Gracie’s return … The wind actually was becoming quite blustery, picking up a piece of wood in the nest at 2-ish pm and smacking poor George in the face with it and moving the plastic strip that Gracie brought yesterday up and down and side to side, until finally, at 2:15 pm, after being moved almost all the way next to George, it blew straight out of the nest toward the water. George spent his shift – when he wasn’t getting whacked or almost whacked with something – alternately napping and watching the sparrows take (or tug on) small pieces of his nest for their own and occasionally fussing with and moving things over. Around 2:30 pm, Gracie took her turn on the eggs, for a change sitting in sun and getting a good blow-dry. Around 3:20-ish pm, Gracie started calling to George and watching him fly as he was apparently coming in to land on the perch with a fish (shadow!). After several minutes, George flew down to give Gracie the partial fish, which she eagerly grabbed – after he finally moved his foot out of the way! Away she went and George did his rotation on the eggs, dozing, fussing or watching the long sheet of black plastic flap in the wind, and not getting whacked by any flying objects. Gracie returned after her 45-minute dinner break looking rejuvenated and full of pep, and glad to return to the nest with it still in full sun. At 5:30-ish pm, George was back with a decent-size whole fish for Gracie as his Mother’s Day gift. George then had an uneventful stint on the eggs, and Gracie returned after a little more than a half hour and without any leftover fish. George came once again at 6:30 pm, carrying seaweed in both feet and stayed a minute to pull up and then try to reposition and tuck in the black sheet of plastic that was to the left of Gracie – making it so that it now flaps crazily in the wind near her head! George flew off, only to turn around and fly back when he realized the seaweed was still snagged on his right foot , partially disentangling it upon his return, then standing a minute to figure out where he would spend the night before taking off again. It’s getting dark now …
Wouldn’t you know, just as I hit post comment, I heard chirp chirp … George has just returned with a last clump of the night (I hope) of seaweed … then he first had to fuss with that plastic sheet before shoving the seaweed he just brought in Gracie’s face to show it to her and fussing a little more with things in the nest … wobbling in the wind and Gracie quietly chirping “Enough … Go to bed now!” I think George might have been secretly wishing that he could do the night shift, but then he flew away for the night … I think!
I was just rewatching tape – from when George returned to the nest for the last time of the night (which turned out it wasn’t!!) … I just noticed that when George was fussing with the things in the nest, one of the things he fussed with was that piece of wood that had smacked him in his face in the afternoon and as he picked it up with his beak, it was blown right out of his beak and out of the nest. Then George came back apparently just as I posted the last comment with more seaweed. This time I know that that was the last time George came back because I continued watching until it was totally dark and all I can see now in the nest is the white of Gracie’s head in the center of the screen!! Good night … “Good Witch” is on now!