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An Intro to OspreyZone
The Story of DDT
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Bald Eagles Visit Nest
Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020
OspreyZone Highlights: May 15-20, 2020 - The Intruder
OspreyZone Highlights: May 7th-14th, 2020
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OspreyZone Yankee
March 18, 2016 Timelapse
The Summer of 2015 by GinaM
Osprey Rescue Extended - July 30, 2015
Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015
Osprey Zone Highlights - June 19, 2015
osprey 07/11/15 squirt
First Sighting
George and Gracie's First Baby
Eggs Over Easy
Changing of the Guard
Breakfast is Served
Upgrading
Feeding Time
First Love
Let's Hang Out
Hard to Get
Little Brother
Intruder
Dinner is Served
OspreyZone Montage
OspreyZone Highlights: George Returns
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Belle’s Journey
Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky
Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.
IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.
Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.
Hello Paul,
Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.
Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.
I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.
Best wishes, and good luck,
John W. Fitzpatrick
Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.
Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.
charles.
*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.
Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com
Attention OspreyZone Followers — I dont know when the new updated version of the Guess For 1st Egg Hatch will be posted on the site but apparently Betsy has informed me she that she neatened the list up a little it was killing her eyeballs !!! ? so I Rjoneal will turn it all over to Betsy from here on out thanks for participating I am glad I was able to start something but apparently Betsy can do it better so good luck everybody!!
Laura and Marian please contact Betsy to be put on the list
Gracie breathing patterns are troubling. Very labored for several hours. Hope all is week with her health.
May 26-5:29 pm- I was VERY worried about her, especially this morning. She didnt act or look like herself and her panting was very hard. I wasnt able to watch this afternoon but did scroll back and see that she seemed to feel better, especially after George brought her in a nice fish. I was worried that she was getting dehydrated which was maybe why she was panting so hard but she did have a fish or two this morning so that probably wasnt the case. I’m just glad she appears to be feeling better. 🙂
Dear OZ, thank you for removing my April 19th comment from under Aidan’s April 19th 2017 comment, but now there are a whole slew of comments (dated April 23 to 26) after his comment!!
May 26- 7:30- It’s very confusing and frustrating having those comments at the top. I almost replied to one today until I saw that the date was in April.
At 11:17 am Gracie, sitting on the eggs, started watching something flying around, then she started alarming and watching really intently … the intruder apparently flew close to the (our) right back side of the nest trying again to land – Gracie snapped her beak in its direction – and George flew back from wherever he was to land up on the perch … then as the intruder circled around over the water to fly by the nest, Gracie stood up to defend and the intruder’s wings were visible in the right upper corner of the camera view as it flew by … G&G alarmed for several more minutes as the intruder apparently continued to fly near and over the nest
11:39 am I have been able to watch more today then usual. Gracie seems very aggravated and unsettled, she is patting a lot and is on and off the eggs more then usual.
Well, so much for the intruder being gone … at 5:07 this morning while Gracie was on the eggs, before George came with the fish, there was a close fly-by with the intruder flying from out over the water passing just to the (our) left of the nest … at 8:27 am, George, who was on the eggs, started alarming then left the nest to fly out over the water chasing an osprey … just before 9:05 am, Gracie, who was in the process of turning the eggs, started alarming; seconds later she went into defense mode, throwing up her wings as the intruder flew directly overhead and immediately the intruder landed in the left back corner of the nest (in front of the camera) and stood there for a couple of seconds; Gracie flapped her wings at it, chasing it away and it left, flying out left then around in front of the nest toward the right. Seconds after the intruder flew away, George raced back, landed on the perch and alarmed for a few seconds.
I forgot to put: … At 7:13 am, Gracie started alarming, then stood up waving someone away; the intruder touched down on the right edge of the nest before flying off to the right and then out over the water to the left.
Intruder lands one nest at 9:05 AM Gracie chases him off.
May 26- 9:05-Gracie had to chase off a large male that landed on the nest.
I havent been able to watch as much as I’d like to so I am wondering if Gracie is ok this morning? She is panting a lot and just seems to be uncomfortable.
I should have added that George arrived to the perch seconds later. 🙂
Another osprey nest fire on Long Island. This time it was not set by horrid people. It was caused by the nesting material catching fire from the electric wires. The fire department in Bayshore contacted the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Center- the same people who helped untangle Ronnie/Sandy from the fishing line last summer. The firemen put out the fire on the side of the nest with a dry chemical. There were 4 babies. One, sadly died. But the firemen put the babies back in the nest when it was safe and the mom returned to the nest happy and relieved I am sure.
It is Thursday morning at 8:40 and I just watched a close flyby of the intruder with Gracie and George yelling at him to leave. He flew pretty close by. I think we should call him Gracie’s stalker.
Nice hot day today- perfect for maturing eggs.
This is the link from Facebook on the fire:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1026336757455171&id=606872802734904
What a story..They where quick to respond..The Osprey family very lucky..sad they lost one..very happy to see they saved 3..Thanks for posting
GinaM: I sure do hope that the nest doesn’t catch fire again 🙁 Thanks for the link. (Yes, I guess we can say that Gracie’s gentleman caller is now her stalker!! 🙂 )
Wow! George is on the ball today. He brought Gracie a large headless fish at 5:15, which I think he really wanted to share with her, as he tried feeding her some, and taking a bite for himself here and there. But she decided after a few minutes that she wanted the whole thing. She came back around 6:30, and then George showed up with a second large headless fish around 7:18. He tried again to share, but after a little tug of war he relinquished the fish and she took off with the whole thing. I’ll bet when she comes back he goes to get his own and doesn’t bring it to try again! They are really eating well, and hoping that the large fish continue to be caught when the eggs hatch and there are more mouths to feed.
Intruder came very close to nest..George on eggs. Intruders wing hit side of nest bowl. around 7:13AM
correction Gracie on nest..sorry
WOW! 7:41mEDT..Second fish already! Good sized headless fish…and she’s gone……..Oh..wait…supposed to be getting ready for work..bye…
7:13amEDT Gracie saw someone coming and the intruder even touched in on the right side, so we could see wings..then, flew out over the water….seemed like things had quieted down for a few days….is the pest gearing up to more harassment? Will have to wait for comments tonight to find out..everyone, have a great day !
May 26-7:13 am- Gracie had an intruder who almost landed on the nest. If she wasnt on the eggs, that other osprey could have gotten an egg/chick.
not sure what is going on but lately my virus protection is blocking this website as ‘dangerous’ – just an fyi
Thank you for letting us know. Can you tell us what virus protection program you are using, and if there is any more information on why it is blocking us? I expect it is a mistake, but maybe there is something we can fix.
I had a problem with that also when i got a new computer that has Windows 10, and was using Edge as my web browser, and McAfee as my virus protection. Had lots of problems with other sites too, so we ended up wiping everything off and starting from scratch. I’m using Google Chrome as my web browser now and Norton for virus protection. Haven’t had any problems since.
I have Trend Micro protection. Says it has confirmed that this website can transmit malicious software or has been involved in online scams or fraud. Please close this page. I am typing this on my Android phone. Started getting this msg about one week ago.
Just got on with no Warning from Trend Micro 🙂 We should be having some babies real soon !!!
5:18amEDT 5/26 .Here’s George….Breakfast is served ! He started feeding Gracie and she accepted a couple of bites, but decided it wasn’t going fast enough…out she goes with fish.
6:17am George was chirping and a bird flew very close overhead..I thought it was Gracie coming in to the perch, but this was not a “Hi, Honey” moment
6:24am Sailboat on the bay..must be a pretty sight, sailing in the sunrise……George was all alarming again…someone is being a pain-in-the-butt this morning….6:32..George jumped out and a minute later, Gracie dropped down from the perch…looks like a beautiful sunrise bringing in a pretty day…
I felt bad for George this morning. Yesterday morning, at 5:16, George flew in with a headless fish; after taking a few bites, he went to give Gracie a piece but she was not interested in him feeding her, so she took the fish and flew off with it. This morning, at 5:18, George came in with a headless fish; after he fed Gracie a few bites, she then got up off the eggs, took the fish and flew away. He looked a little puzzled and disappointed!
Hello everyone once again. I can’t believe what I missed! She. Did the osprey come back? I’m glad they are back and hope for a new healthy newborn. How many eggs are there this year, one or two?
Three
Hello, BirdViewer: Sorry, looking at my response I sound so curt, so let me expand my answer:
G&G 2016 Egg Record ?
Egg #1 on April 25th @ 8:51 am
Egg #2 on April 28th @ 7:11 am
Egg #3 on May 1st @ 7:46 am
Incubation Period: 36 to 42 days; average is 38 days
Hatching could occur as early as May 31
Nemesis, gorgeous site of Gracie on nest, bay beautiful, still scary filament bunch looking surreal in moonlight, thank you all for the wonderful updates for us all, anxiously awaiting the next step we are so very privileged to witness, love, hugs to all..
9:00pm Betsy, I was gonna post a reply under your 4/19 comment, just to keep you company out in the wind…..self-vetoed…
Well, it’s the thought that counts!! 😀
I dont know when the new updated version of the Guess For 1st Egg Hatch will be posted on the site but apparently Betsy has informed me she that she neatened the list up a little it was killing her eyeballs !!! 🙂 so I Rjoneal will turn it all over to Betsy from here on out thanks for participating I am glad I was able to start something but apparently Betsy can do it better so good luck everybody!!
7:08pmEDT 5/25 Thanks to everyone who answered about the lighthouse..For some reason, I suddenly saw a shape to it and had previously seen the light at night…
It was nice to see so many new comments when I clicked on tonight..we are all getting excited for the big event !!!!!! or events, I should say….
8:56pm And I see what is probably the channel marker, also suggested, slightly to the right of center;both are blinking…
Hi everyone some interesting info on how the babies hatch thru the egg shell!! I found this from different website from someone named Chris F. I know others have posted some info on this but since we are getting close to the 1st egg hatch I wanted to share this.
Although the description I found and listed here was specifically in reference to bald eagles, a very similar process also applies to Ospreys.
* About 4 days before hatching the chick develops an egg tooth at the top of its bill. From inside the egg the chick pokes a hole in the membrane separating it from the air bubble at the top of the egg shell. Still inside the egg, the chick takes its first breath into the air bubble, and draws in its first breath. This bit of air will provide energy to scratch a hole through the egg shell to the outside.
* The hole poked through the membrane is called the internal pip. The hole pecked through the egg shell is called the external pip.
* After breaking the membrane with its egg tooth the chick can breathe the air that filters through the porous egg shell and vigorously start the final process of hatching.
* The chicks hatch from the eggs without any help from the parents.
* The chick uses its egg tooth to scratch around the inside of the shell in a circular path. The scratches weaken the shell in a pattern all around the egg. This is called pipping, and it can take from one to two days. When pipping is completed the chick gives a few expansive bursts and the shell opens up. The chick is hatched!
* During hatching, a chick must undergo several physiological adaptations. Before it hatches, a chick absorbs oxygen through the shell by way of the mat of membranes under the shell. During the hatching process, the chick must cut the blood supply to these membranes and trap the blood within its body. The chick must also absorb the yolk sack into its body and inflate its lungs for survival outside the egg.
* Once the chicks hatch, the parents don’t get rid of the shells. The broken shells sit at the bottom of the nest sometimes for a long time before getting crushed into tiny pieces.
Very interesting information. Thanks for posting.
I meant to write egg #3 laid 4/10/16 @ 7 am — my eyes are very bleary! … probably kind of like our moderators’ 😀
Rick D. were you at the TPA golf if so you should have seen several different osprey nest around you ! I live in the same general area and there is one on top of light fixture in the Publix shopping center which is a local grocery store. I take pictures all the time and they are not the best but even saw the male osprey bringing a fish for the female. I live in Florida and just around me you could easily count 4-5 osprey nest one is directly across the lake in my back yard the nest is on cell phone tower they look like tall pine trees in Florida they decorated them to blend in with the wooded areas. Due to the Atlantic ocean and the St Johns River that meet together we have ospreys that stay here and breed all year long. Plenty of fish except when we have a Red Tide. Hope you enjoyed your trip. As Betsy said I dont know where you herd that, George is very much alive. There are a lot of Hawks,owls, and Eagles in our area too. Maybe there is another osprey in Florida people call George but I have not herd of any. Most the people in Florida dont even pay attention to the ospreys they just call them birds.
There is an Osprey in Sarasota Florida and there is one sibling their nest it is actually on top of the TV ABC Tower but his name is not George it is Sota and the female is Sara. Please look at some of the videos that our devoted Osprey Zone followers have sent in and Osprey Zone was kind enough to allow them to be put on the comments page. If you scroll down comments you can find some there also on YOUTUBE. We love our family and our glad you are watching with us. The eggs should be hatching soon and we have an Egg Guessing contest going if you want to post a date and some time frame we can add you to the list. You will see the list in the comments.
I’ve been watching Geo & Gra from the beginning.. morning before work with my coffee, 😉 noon when i come home for lunch ,;-) & night before bed..i don’t miss much 😉 enjoying all the comments of our new & older viewers still is such a great privilege to see the G’s second year/group of eggs & COUNTDOWN of 3 hatchings with my estimated guess of the first egg on May 30th!, with them being 3 days apart and hopefully on time keeping up strength G & G will be very busy feeding with lots of TLC 😉 🙂 😉 the REALLY fun part is about to begin finding the personalities of the babes to be able to give them names!! i’m so grateful to everyone keeping us updated, educated, & entertained such detailed talents especially the humor Thank You! & God Bless!
Gracie and George have a nice long patch of warm days ahead of them. Maybe warm enough to get off the eggs a bit.
I am not on the official list, but I would venture a guess that Egg #1 may start to hatch on June 1, Egg #2 on June 3 and Egg # 4 on June 6. But I am also thinking that we may see a Memorial Day surprise – I guess that is why I am not on the official list- I can’t make up my mind! 🙂
My Dad was born on Memorial Day. He used to say he was ten before he realized the parade wasn’t for him.
This year George will be passing out Cuban cigars.
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ? meaning complete release of egg. The baby out enough were parents have to feed.
Update as 5-25-16 AM
more osprey viewers added
Robin
May 30th
________________________________________
Ann H
May 31 at 1pm
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.
Marian K
June 1 6:30 AM
June 3 afternoon
I just refreshed the page and I am now seeing (and reading!) comments:
Marilyn: You’re welcome (there was no reply next to your name, that’s why I put this here!!)
Which is why now, I’m replying this way:
CarolV: Paid well … you can’t believe how your comment cracked me up!!
Redkayak: I’ve seen them both nod off like that … it’s so funny to watch!!
Leesa: It’s NEVER wrong to say G&G really look cute!! … As far as intruder, basically only warning calls at flyers-by!! (“Don’t even think about cutting across my lawn!!” 😀 )
June: I love addition of the clock too!! So much easier!!
And kind of while on the subject of OZ … Aidan or Paul, can you take down my comment that’s under “Aidan April 19, 2017 at 10:47 am” comment … it was a reply to someone else’s comment on how they ID G&G and somehow my reply got pulled up there, just hanging out in the wind, having nothing to do with anything!! … I make my own self look silly sometimes – don’t need help from OZ!! 😀
Rick D.: That’s awesome that another site (in FL, no less) had posts about G&G!! BUT, there is absolutely NO TRUTH to “George dying and Gracie had another mate”. They are alive and well, nodding off in the nest as they sit on the 3 eggs, looking really cute, and there is now a clock on the bottom frame of the video stream so we can report when they do what they do!!
Betsy: i live in Louisiana and the site was sent to me by a veteran buddy in Chicago as he knew i loved raptors. it would be interesting to know how many states this site has spread to. i sent it to my daughter who is a school teacher and she said the kids loved it and are always wanting to log on and view george and gracie so she uses it as a sugar cube. be good and they can watch.
Robin do u have time frame? Usually give either morning till noon or noon till night something like that you can read others that commented
i was in Florida two weeks ago for the golf tournament and was reading about a nest in N. Western Florida east of Jacksonville where i was staying and on this site was a couple of posts about George and Gracie. two of the posts mentioned something about George dying and Gracie had another mate. they specifically mentioned this site. i have only been able to log on occasionally and had not read any of this. is this true and i just missed it or this an error by these folks? any answers would be appreciated.
May 25-11:30 am- I don’t know why anyone would have said that about George. He is alive and well and has been taking good care of Gracie and the nest. 🙂
the comment referred to his death while in Florida. did not make sense to me either but just wanted to make sure. apparently there are a huge amount of nests in Florida and have quite a following. commenters did not say where they got this info but i sure am glad it is not true.
I haven’t been able to check in on our family as much as I usually do, and love reading all the comments from everyone on what has been happening. One thing I have noticed, too, along with some others, is George and Gracie both taking more naps while on the nest. I just love watching them while they sleep. Is it wrong to say they really look cute!!! Anyway, thanks to those of you that write regularly for helping the rest of us know what has been going on. How about the intruder? I haven’t seen any recent comments about him. Has he finally taken the hint that he isn’t welcome around the G’s nest??!!!
full fish delivered to Gracie at 16:14..off she went with it at 16:15..love the clock!
LOL at 2:30 Gracie just nodded off with a head drop that was almost comical
Hey, OZ, here’s a scene that you may want to include in whatever documentary, highlights or other projects you may be planning (do you jot down observations in some kind of log book?): In the 1:03 to 1:09 time frame, George is laying on the eggs and with the different browns of the dried grasses and twigs and the greens of the seaweed and lichen and water’s edge and the beige of the beach, all set against the gray backdrop of the water, its wavelets and the horizon obscured by the mist … well, I just think it’s so pretty and peaceful. (Even the ball of tangled fishing line adds something in its own way – but, not so much the black plastic!)
It’s Bug Light
To me – the “seaweed” looks like the plastic “excelsior” which is used a lot during Easter for the Easter Egg Baskets.
Looks pretty – I hope it is safe. RH
Rodeehansen – I think it might be a piece of astroturf. Adds a little color to the nest.
Bre, I see those comments, your right sometimes they get mixed in sorry I didnt notice you were still actively with us. I just did not want you to miss out on the egg hatching could be 8-9 days or so at the earliest. Also George feeding Gracie and all the other precious moments this year, he has really stepped up in the romance department.
Does anyone know…is that Bug Light just slightly left of center at the horizon edge of view????
CarolV,
From what I can see on Google maps, it could be Long Beach Bar Lighthouse.
7:43pmEDT 5/24,,,George brings in Gracie’s dinner..nice headless fish…I was so late checking , I figured everyone would be set for the night! Crazy weather ! The forecast for this coming week totally different than it was yesterday !!! No sense counting on any predictions !
Thanks for the answers on the structure off in the distance,,,Ron and Mickey..BTW..Long Beach Bar Lighthouse aka Bug Light….
I’m not sure where this will post but too tired to retype
Its a channel marker light and it spins.
yes it is
Yes, that is Bug Light. It’s official name is Long Beach Bar Lighthouse.
Yes
7:31am EDT George hard at work bringing in grasses..Taking over the nest so Gracie can do her morning exercises.
I have noticed that when George is on the nest he sleeps very deeply. I hadn’t noticed this last year or earlier this season. Is this cause for concern about hi is health?
Deborah: I’ve seen both George and Gracie sleeping soundly while on the eggs. Not having watched the site last year until shortly before the babies fledged, I can’t compare. But, it’s probably safe to say that because they’re not first-time parents they’re both more relaxed this time around (see Tora’s May 11, 2016 at 8:15 am comment on page 30 – that there’s a parental learning curve).
5:05amEDT 5/24 It’s pouring !!! So much for clearing thru by midnight,,,don’t know why I listen to forecasts…might as well use a weather rock !!!!!!
Poor Gracie is saturated…
5:31am Gracie gets up to “shake it off. shake it off” then George brings in breakfast @5:32…..
Gracie’s back @ 6:14am…politely thanks George for breakfast and a break….
BTW..Betsy, great timing on the “3 eggs out easy” video……we’re all jonesing for the crack of egg date…..
And it was nice seeing the nest without the Snarl looming over it !!!!!!!
Just had a lucky morning touring web cams…all 4 eagles in at the DC eagle nest..look like fish just delivered: one parent took off while the other started feeding the two giant kids….at the peregrine “nest”, a parent was feeding the 3 chicks, who were mostly in the frame,,2 and 1/2 more or less..first time I’ve caught the feeding action there….Just makes me appreciate this site more..the scroll back feature is the best idea !!!Good work, once again, site creators, for a super set-up !!!!
CarolV; Had to look it up!! 😀 Definition: “The weather rock or weather stone is a humor display that pokes fun at the intricate technology used in modern weather forecasts, as well as the fact that their accuracy is less than perfect. A rock is typically hung from a tripod and accompanied by a sign indicating how to read it.” That’s funny, because just last evening, Rjoneal and I were emailing and commenting about the weather and I said they probably just toss a coin!! 😀 (Sorry to any weather forecasters who may be reading the comments!!)
Don’t be sorry…they get paid well to be consistently wrong…
I just enjoy watching since we have role back video put my own story together,enough pple giving updates..i appreciate & love to hear about our OZ daily events with my FAV OZ 😉 they cover every event so i have Big Smiles 😉
rjoneal, hi i have made several comments,somtimes, same person make many that they comment on a same subject instead of combining .sometimes they are pushed back by several comments that are in huge explicit detail ..NP
We had a short shower here on the South Fork…can tell if nest was rained on..possible showers popping up till about midnight, running east to west, opposite of most storm fronts…at least it’s bringing in some warmth for the week…
that was can’t tell
I’ve been amused watching the comings and goings of the shadows on the nest this afternoon … At 3:50 pm, Gracie (shadow) was up on the perch while George was sitting on the eggs; they exchanged a few quiet chirps, then George got up and flew off to the right. 15 or so seconds later, shadow wings stretched. As Gracie hopped down from the perch, George (shadow) landed on the perch … At 3:57 pm, George’s shadow flew away, then his shadow came back at 4:09 pm … At 4:11 pm, George’s shadow and part of a wing flew away… 4:26 pm, George’s shadow returned … 4:35 pm, George’s shadow and a wingtip flew from perch and 5 minutes later George himself returned, landing in the nest to announce that this was his, before flying off … 4:50 pm George himself returned with supplies for the nest, staying just long enough to drop them off before leaving … At 4:53 pm, George returned to the nest with a delivery of seaweed – very green seaweed – that first he started to break up and spread around – and picking up what looked a small round silver-toned medal on a silver-toned chain mixed in the seaweed – before he thought it would be a good idea to put some seaweed on Gracie’s back to help her cool down … which she did not appreciate, so she got up flew away and George took over sitting on the eggs – which I think was his plan all along. At 5:17 pm, George, after alarming, flew away and seconds later a shadow landed on the perch, then Gracie hopped down. At 5:38 pm, George brought Gracie a headless ? which she flew away with and her shadow landed back on the perch at 5:54 pm. Now, can’t tell anymore from shadows. 😀
I was watching shadows in the scroll back and thinking how different weather and different depths of enjoyment for us, the viewers…
Kathleen your guess date and time for the egg hatch has been added to our list thanks for joining in good luck!!
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ? meaning complete release of egg. The baby out enough were parents have to feed.
Update as 5-23-16 PM
more osprey viewers added
Kathleen May 23, 2016 at 1:40 pm – Reply
June 2 5:30 a.m
___________________
Ann H
May 31 at 1pm
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.
May 30th my birthday!
Whatever the technical issues are today, it makes for some interesting viewing – corduroy feathers on George and Gracie … and listening – Gracie trilling and shrilling as she’s never been heard before!! 😀
5:26amEDT5?23 George shows up with a big wad of seaweed and Gracie goes off for her morning exercise…tai chi on the beach….she had already done wing stretches @4:56
Good weather ahead in the forecast..chance of showers tomorrow followed by sunshine and 70s for a week or more, thru the Memorial weekend….YAY…hope they’ve got it right….
about 6:55pmEDT 5/22 haven’t watched much today..waiting for comments to catch up…did see George bring in a fish a couple of minutes ago.. Gracie was begging him to feed her but he kept poking at the fish…so she got up and took it herself…
7:29..Gra back and took possession of the nest…did a little straightening up before settling in…I think Geo went up to perch…the video stream has been jumpy…and someone has been working below; sounds like banging on pipes…
The sparrows outside in my patio awning are getting extremely rambunctious,,,NOISY…..guess they’ll be ready to go soon…I can’t believe they are out of the nest in 10 days from hatching!! But then their parents show them around and fly with them until they are independent…more of a wings-on kind of parenting, I guess….Has anyone heard the sparrow family under the nest lately?
5:22amEDT 5/22 George comes thru with breakfast..they have switched to the no-see corner for exchanges..inconsiderate …..anyhow…Gracie went off to eat…
G&G 2016 Egg Record ?
Egg #1 on April 25th @ 8:51 am
Egg #2 on April 28th @ 7:11 am
Egg #3 on May 1st @ 7:46 am
Incubation Period: 36 to 42 days; average is 38 days
Hatching could occur as early as May 31
Generally, their hatching is in the order laid and is spread over several days (asynchronous hatching).
Here’s a video montage of George and Gracie’s three eggs 2016:
https://youtu.be/2UbN51-tjr8
Betsy, thank you so much for those videos. I didn’t get to see any of the eggs being laid. I was wondering, Gracie looked a little disheveled. Is that normal during egg laying or was she just having a bad hair day? lol
Marilyn: Glad you liked the video. (There are full versions on comments page 28 [a link for video of the 1st egg and the video of the 2nd in the April 28th area of the comments and the video of the 3rd in the May 1st area] and on page 29 [video of 3rd egg in the May 1st area]).
To me, she always looks — and has always looked!! — as if she’s having a bad hair day!! 😀 I think that’s just the way her feathers are!!
Betsy, Thank for the information on the other videos.
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ? meaning complete release of egg. The baby out enough were parents have to feed.
The people who picked the month of May are listed below:
Donna
May 30 afternoon 2 pm ish
Mary Y
May 30
Bre
May 30th, Monday morning around 9am-ish..
Ann H
May 31 at 1pm
Kathy B
May 31st. 11:13 am
June 2 5:30 a.m.
This is a shout out to some old timers who have not made any comments this year lately -Bob, Trinity, Sallyanne, Bre, Karin, Jai, Shredmen, Mimsey, Eva, Holly, Bev, Jay, HelenB., Elanor, Rich, Alizarin, Beatrice, and to all the others who are watching now and from last year the time is getting close soon we will be having a baby from the experts 35-42 days it could be as earlier as 5/31/16 which is only around 9 days from now so lets all keep watch !!
Kathleen, what insects you are seeing is nothing compared to how bad it might get this year especially after the babies are born and the weather gets hot. Last year not sure if they were wasp or yellow jackets I am sure anyone from last year could clear up exactly what kind it was but, they were swarming the nest every time fish delivery came and for awhile even after the fish was gone. The little babies would have them all around them. They are attracted to the fish and as the weather gets warmer you will see them crawling and flying around in the nest. There were lots of insects last year and at first we all thought maybe because our beloved PeWee was in the bottom of the nest deteriorating and he attracted the bugs but long after he was decomposed and literally made part of the nest the insects and yellow jackets were present pretty much from the time the babies were born till they fledged. As long as the babies dont get an infection they will be fine. Also Dont be surprised if you see some really big ants in the nest crawling around usually they are from nesting materials that the birds bring in but they didnt seem to bother our Osprey family at all.
Thank you for that information. Yikes.
Robert we have an on going list for the 1st egg to hatch if you would like to join just submit your date and time by placing a comment to me, the more the merry!!
Guess For 1st Egg Hatch ? meaning complete release of egg. The baby out enough were parents have to feed.
Update as 5-12-16 PM
more osprey viewers added
Ann H
May 31 at 1pm
————-
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.
I know exactly what you mean Leanne, George DOES strike a pose like you suggest. Hysterical and heartwarming. He’s quite the character!
This is for Robert. I know this is not what you wanted , but it will give you something to jot down if nothing appears up top.
Eggs Laid; 1st. April 25 abt. 8:40 am
2nd April 28 abt. 7:00 am
3rd May 1 abt. 7:00 am
Figure hatch to be any where between 36 to 42 days
I don’t know when thi swill show up but hopefully you will see it.
May 22- 1:53 am- This is also for Robert: One of the loyal OZ watchers is taking guesses as to when we think the first egg will hatch. Ask rjoneal to add your guess to the list if you’d like to join in on the fun 🙂
TY very much, exactly what I was looking for.
@7:30pm Gracie skipped the spa to sit upstairs and help George warn off intruders…back in at 7:30…George brought in some nice green leaves and did a little nestwork…Sounds like he’s up on the perch now…
@7:18pm George drops back into nest and Gracie decides to take a break this time..Maybe a nice spa visit to relax those muscles before her night on the nest….
7:07pm Did Gracie ever leave with that piece of fish? I could hear her little love chirps off on the right no-see corner and she was back in minutes…George barely had time to get the scales off his beak….
Looked like he circled back to the perch….he was alarming a bit around 7:15
sorry..computer usually nags me if I send comment twice..where was it this time? Can’t count on anyone………………
7:07pm Did Gracie ever leave with that piece of fish? I could hear her little love chirps off on the right no-see corner and she was back in minutes…George barely had time to get the scales off his beak….
Looked like he circled back to the perch….
CarolV: Which piece of fish? At 6:47 pm? If that’s the one you mean, no, Gracie didn’t leave – she ate that small tail end piece of fish in that right back corner … I could hear s-n-a-p r-r-i-i-p-p as she was tearing off pieces … mmm yum!
6:30pmEDT Just got my own baby (cocktail) bluefish delivered …..doing a Gracie fish dance !!!!!
6:37pm George brought in Gracie’s dinner…could only see that it was a piece of fish…out she goes…
5:18pmEDT 5/21 As I was arriving home, we started getting sprinkles here on the South Fork..checked ch. 12 news and the radar shows most rain passing south of LI, with possibility of some showers overnight in general.tomorrow is looking better than they had originally predicted…
Did the scroll back..the usual ins and outs, nesting material deliveries, etc. @4:51, there was a video moment with Gracie, now u c her, now u don’t !! I think the timer jumped 9or 10 secs. @ 5:43, Gracie is still out and George is fidgeting the nest.
5:40…..sprinkles on George……..
Gracie back @ 18:00….very military
George finally came in about 4:40 EST to give a much deserved Gracie a break! Such a good mate.
Is there any way you can post up top where everyone can see on how many eggs and dates they were laid along with estimated hatch dates or incubation lengths? Thanks in advance. Was thinking make it part of the heading just under tips.
I’ve noticed many tiny flying insects annoying the G’s. Is there anything that can be done for them. I imagine George brings them in when he collects his nesting materials.
They could also be attracted by minute fish remains left in the nest…..
5:35AM George brought in whole fish…I think he was trying to remove head for Gracie..after couple minutes she went over and took it..Gracie was gone for over an hour.. (1 hour 11min 53 sec, thanks to new clock, may be off a second or two Ha). Looks very calm today suppose to rain later…
5:27am EDT 5/21 Gracie was up and stretching @5am> George must be on the perch..he’s been chirping and they both alarmed a few minutes ago..Harassment @dawn..Gracie is chirping softly, looking up; maybe asking George to run to the store for breakfast..
Pretty sunrise…everything getting a pink glow…
@5:35am,,,George brought in a complete fish,,Gracie got up and slowly sidled around the front edge of the nest while George went closer to that right corner moving away from her..He was trying to get a few bites of that fishhead but no go..tug-of-fish ensued, which Gracie won…..she seemed to be having a hard time getting a grip on the fishand, when she took off, finally, she sank way down as she flew over the roof below….morning muscles?
Carol IV & Betsy I was on the edge of my seat when Gracie kept messing with that tree ha ok big branch or big stick, she was all over the place and stepping on the eggs Oh My Gosh I couldnt believe that. Also those branches had to hurt jabbing into her everywhere like that. I couldnt be happier that she finally found a good place where its not in the way and in front of that fishing line. Keep posting and updating us all I enjoy a good laugh everyday, they say if you laugh you live longer.
Gina M I agree George feeding Gracie is one of my favorite moments, other than having the babies in the nest with mom and dad at the same time. Last year George did not feed Gracie before the babies were born and only did a few times after they were born. He has really bonded with her and I love that it has almost become a nightly ritual for her nigh time snack before she takes on the long night of sitting on the eggs till morning. They have really got a good routine this year so George has really learned a lot while he was off for the winter. Maybe with the male intruder he has stepped up his game to make sure Gracie stays bonded to him and not take on another suiter. I am so glad they have such a good routine hopefully Gracie wont have to lose her voice yelling and calling and begging for food this year. She will know if George doesnt have any fish it is cause he cant find any.
Tucker thank you for bringing up those books to all the newcomers or those who missed it. Somehow I only had knowledge of 1 of the books so I will need to look into getting the other one I have not read or herd of. So thanks again you can never have to much info.
5:41pmEDT George brought back the remains of the fish he stopped in with earlier…..Gracie wasn’t interested, so Geo left and came back a minute later to get a close up in the camera…and he left. @6:31..Gra left the nest and Geo dropped in a minute later..so Gracie must have been full from the afternoon fish; she didn’t get any of this 5:41 delivery that I saw…
Gracie’s back @ 7:02
5:13pmEDT George dropped in to show Gracie his pretty fish and floated off to behead it…