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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
I’m not sure who said it the other day. But I am tempted to agree 3 just may be a tad daft.
Just a note people cause I know lots will say it. George did not purposely cover Lil bit with the tarp. He just happened to place it there.
Hi all, this is my first osprey nest, is the rough housing of the 2 bigger chicks normal? They are trampling the little one with no regard & Mom & Dad seem to be ignoring what their last born chick is going thru.
And, while I’m now thinking about it, that’s fish blood on Gracie’s chest, too. Just want to point that out before people get all hysterical and start posting that Gracie was in a vicious fight and she’s hemorrhaging which then becomes that Gracie is dying that then becomes that she died. I find it amazing what some people “observe” and then post as having happened. I wonder if some people post comments stating what they though they saw (it’s probably a good idea to go back and verify said “observation” before posting it as fact), or if they just want to get people riled up or stir up controversy for the sake of riling up people or stirring up controversy.
I cant believe how mobile these babies have become even the wee one is trying so hard. Gracie is going to have her “wings” full over the coming weeks. Maybe should invest in a playpen.
This if for you Lil Bit we are all pulling for you.
https://youtu.be/YzktQty-sbU
Granma Mema love your choice of song to lift lil guys and our spirits!
Perfect choice. Well done. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Rjoneal. I love our Lil Bit. As I am sure all of us do.
It cracks me up to see George doing the housekeeping, moving the sticks and grass around. On the other hand, I can’t bear to watch the feedings….Trey never seems to get his fair share.
I scrolled back….12:51 pm lil one got several bites after the other 2 were full. He drops alot too but did get fed. 🙂
I for one disagree. Pee Wee is a great name for him/her. Last year is last year. this year is this year.
Gina W: So, to try to understand what you mean, let me put it in another context. If you had an infant and the infant died, and then you had another child, you would have no problem naming the new child the same name as the deceased child? (I realize these are “only birds”, but do you see what I mean?)
Sometimes lil one follows dad if he’s in the nest. Gracie does feed him, saw it several times yesterday. I think he’s doing prety good for being much smaller than the other 2. Let them fight amongst themselves and leave peewee 2 alone.
I have not been around how is Lil Bit doing?
I thinks he/she is holding its own. Sometimes it looks like Lil Bit is not getting fed, then other times he/she is getting all the fish, while the other two filled up first then went down for a nap.
Bre according to Betsy Geo had blood splattered on him from a fish.
George the Awkward Architect strikes again… “Hey Gracie, I think I will move big sticks around on the windiest day when you are trying to feed the chicks- OK??”
Rocky is doing great. He is eating on his own schedule, lays low when his brothers are beating each other up and looks straight at the camera when he waits his turn to be fed as if to tell us- “don’t worry- I’ll eat after my two goofball siblings are done.”
It looks like the 2 older chicks are really going at it. Poor #3 is pinned near one of them. George to the rescue. Now #3 is getting fed. Thank goodness! Now George is trying to straighten up the nest. As an old saying goes: “Another fine time is had by all”.
Well little one turned around finally towards mom but was too far behind the other two so he never got a bite of food. That is hard to watch when it happens…I hope he gets fed next time or I will have to stop watching. Besides the 2 older ones are constantly showing aggression towards one another. 🙁
How do you post a comment on here?
Still doesn’t tell me hope to post a comment???
Another feeding and the little didn’t get any again
I was wrong, now that the other 2 are done, the baby is eating
Little one got a decent feeding this afternoon after the oldest 2 went into food comas. It is tough…little one gets tired of begging and finally poops out before it has a chance to get fed at times. It will get smart though and learn to relax until it’s her turn.
I scrolled back and see no 3 getting fed pretty well between 5:30 and 6pm. And scrolling back further between 4 and 5. There seems to be ample fish and he gets his share in the end. Lets be positive.
Why won’t Gracie feed the the smallest chick??? So hard to watch her ignore that little ones open mouth!!! Is she going to starve that little one to death??
The little one still has it’s mouth open, there is plenty of fish to feed him/her why won’t Gracie feed the poor baby
Starr – I feel the same exact way!! Don’t understand why Gracie won’t feed her little baby! So FRUSTRATING TO WATCH!
Hi Star osprey do not favor any one chick it is all about who is able to make it to the beak.
others may have commented on this, but last year one of the chicks died. close to same scenario. 3 eggs, 3 hatch, but the smallest seems ignored. I partially think that as the chicks get bigger it is harder and harder to keep them all fed plus enough for parents. so maybe the littlest is always collateral damage. i don’t know, but it is sad….but this is nature.
This is just nature. Survival of the fittest. Natural selection. The parents are going to feed the most aggressive chicks. The 3rd chick maybe too far behind in development to survive. If there is enough food, he has a chance but odds are not good. I sure hope he survives . There is nothing us humans can do.
Lil one is turned towards the wrong direction…turn around so mom can feed you !!! 🙁
Another feeding from same fish at 10:00 a.m. Peanut made his way to the front and center seat! Even when Gracie eventually moved to another part of the nest, he was able to follow her and still get fed. During the earlier feeding, the intruder was circling around. Soon, they all fell asleep, dreaming of fishies.
Around 8:00 a.m., George brought a huge headless fish to the nest. Gracie was able to feed it to the two biggies, but Peanut couldn’t get his share. Looks like she was finally getting to feed him, when she turned around to get more food and the fish was gone! George flew off with breakfast. However, I think they must’ve eaten earlier because the chicks seemed content with just a few bites. Looks like George returned with the fish around 8:45 a.m. and Gracie woke up the little ones to eat a few bites. Still no food for Peanut. Time for another short nap. George flew away, but left the fish behind. However, he returned around 9:25. Looks like he was going to retrieve the fish, but Gracie gently took it from him and started feeding the chicks. The camera jumped around a lot due to the wind, but our little buddy did get a lot of big mouthfuls. GREAT!!
Robin, I should add that much depends on the food supply. This year, George has brought plenty of fish to the nest. I can’t believe how big some of them are! Last year, I did not know about this site until around July 4. I know that there was a shortage of fish, and that probably contributed to the siblings fighting for their meals. Hopefully, our fish supply will continue to flourish.
Hi, Robin, in reply to your question, last year (2015) was the first year that George and Gracie became parents. There were three chicks, but the littlest did not survive due to sibling rivalry. Hopefully, these three babies will grow up. So far, the two older ones seem more intent on bickering with each other. Most of the time, chick #3 is stuck in the middle of the slug fest, but he is not the object of their fight. Let’s hope it stays that way!
Sibling rivalry due to food shortage due to bunker die off probably due to events caused by humans………………
My apologies, Marlene…jumped in before I saw your additional comments.
Thank you Marlene & CarolV for answering my question. Third chick eats but still looks terribly small (at least in comparison to the other 2) – hope the fish keep coming and all three successfully fledge. I keep telling the baby to eat all he can and hurry up and grow!
Could someone give me an idea as to how to tell the difference between Mom and Dad? I’ve been studying for quite awhile now and one thing I noticed is that one of the parents just love to rearrange the ‘house’ quite a bit.
there was a great video on this, look in the past comments…Dad is smaller and darker
Karen DeLong: Video on page 33 (June 7, 2016 at 3:43 pm comment) “How to Tell George and Gracie Apart”
rjoneal: The reason I did not post anything about George’s “injuries” is because there were none. Although George has been in a few scuffles lately, he did not suffer injuries … the blood on his chest was from an extremely bloody fish that he brought to the nest yesterday at 11:19 am. He then stood next to Gracie as she tore off pieces of it to feed to the chicks, getting more splattered by the second, making him look as if he had been playing paintball.
In fact, if anyone’s curious, I jot notes on MS-Word and this is what I have for 6/12/2016, copied and pasted here:
11:19 am geo back w/ headless fish …
11:20 am gra gets fish and stands to Geo’s left and starts ripping the fish and eating … the chicks are still asleep … this is an extremely bloody fish and geo is getting splattered w/ the blood as Gra tears off pieces
1121 am #1 is up first and moves forward up the slope of the nest bowl to eat … #3 wakes up and stands behind #1 & #2 who then gets up and stands next to #1 … #3 is behind the 2 bigger chicks, but then makes its way up the slope to stand near #2 but then tumbles back & then stands behind them while they get fed, then it faces the wrong way, first sideways to the left then backwards … eventually #3 faces forward but in the back, falling asleep at times …
And, in case anyone has any doubts, watch Leanne’s video “June 12-Breakfast Round 3 And Baby Bit Gets His/Her Share” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZC9v4sjY74) and see George “full frontal” at the 3:50 mark (8:22:56 in the morning, a mere 3 hours before he brought the super bloody fish).
Should be at the 3:06 mark (the video is 3 min 50 sec).
rjonel i to seen the blood stains on George’s chest and just assumed it was the bloody fish he brought to the nest after eating the head like he usually does before bringing it to feed the family…i must have missed his encounter of him being chased or in a battle with intruders am concerned if he will be ok please inform, i have been working alot of hours and missed on video of intruder chase or encounter thank you!
Arount 10am EST, looks like chick #3 was well fed by momma.
9:40 EST , looks like the little guy is getting a good amount at this feeding. Fingers crossed for him! Also, anyone else noticing a touchy feed? It keeps stalling on me.
Wow Monday morning check of the nest and Boy have those chicks grown over the weekend! Good Job George & Gracie!!
PLEASE – PLEASE PLEASE – Do not call chick #3 Pee Wee. Lets all just call him/her chick #3 until later – another chance to name all of them. PLEASE.
Gracie and George would also appreciate that. RH
June 13- 9:36 am- Agree completely. There was and should only be 1 PeeWee.
Well his name is Lil bit that seems to be what most are calling him and I LOVE IT!! Lil bit is perfect for him/her
Mind you some of us were not here last year. So I think Pee Wee is a great name for this chick. After all new year new chicks.
After last year I had to limit my viewing time because of poor PeeWee. However this #3 chick seems to be doing better for now 🙂
Only one Peewee for me.
Betsy I am surprised you did not post anything about Georges injuries the other day! Carol IV didn’t make it out either she mentioned changes on Georges chest. Well someone had mentioned they are pretty sure they saw George in flight with 2 other ospreys and he was giving chase. That is was real close to Georges nest and as soon as they got home sure enough George was not on the nest..I got real good picture of cuts and scrapes with blood stains. I did post about yesterday and a couple of people commented they noticed it. Glad to see the sea salt water cleaned his wounds good and you can not even tell.
George took the fish away before lil one could get fed this morning…poor baby 🙁
Sorry, saw he just popped up.
First time posting, at 7:55 am June 13, only see 2 babies, please tell me we didn’t lose a baby to predator?
I saw #3 this morning. He looks so much smaller than the others but he was moving around.
7:12 on June 13th: The little one does not seem to be getting any food ; Hopefully this youngest offspring will be OK.
Everyone: George does not have new speckles on his chest and although he has gone after another osprey over the past couple of days, he does not have wounds. The dots you see on George’s chest are from when he brought an extremely bloody fish to the nest yesterday, June 12th, and was standing next to Gracie as she tore pieces off of it to feed the chicks. If people watched the video stream (and paid attention to what they were watching) and/or read the comments instead of jumping to conclusions, they would have known that – this is how awful rumors (e.g. Gracie’s death last year) get started and perpetuated.
6-13-16 Carol IV remember after baby 2 was born we notice babyone has 1 black dot on the back of his head and baby 2s head 2 black dots on the back of his head that’s how I’ve been telling them apart. Also if you can see them together you can see one is a little bit bigger
CarolV: I can tell the chicks apart. In fact I made a video. But apparently OZ is not posting my videos any more. Very annoying since I edit them and don’t just slapdash post them. In fact the ridiculous video that I made to show Paul or Aidan how the video stream, on June 10th, was jumping back in time and repeating was viewed more times than my other videos. And, OZ didn’t even acknowledge, for the viewers at least, with a “Yes, we’re aware of the problem. We’re sorry. We’re trying to figure out why that happened.” or “No, we weren’t aware of the problem. Thank you for alerting us. We’ll try to figure out why that happened. Thank you.”
Betsy, from what I understand, and Paul or Aidan correct me if I’m wrong (or just delete this message) video’s can be posted provided they are edited in a way that the copyright and sponsorship information is not edited out.
Well it does’t matter any more … I’ve pulled them all from YouTube.
6-12-16 at 20:28 the most adorable moment priceless!! Gracie has all 3 babies neatly tucked down under with all that extreme wind blowing and Geo is standing facing the camera Gracie lays her head down on Geos foot and leans against him. Geo is on guard looking around making sure everything is safe before her goes off to bed. Its already getting pretty dark. I did get a couple of pictures how precious they look.
Hi, Rjoneal..I noticed that, too. Like he was supporting her and keeping her company while she held down the chicks. I know we are constantly reminded not to personify animals with emotions, but how can we not? Are people afraid to see love and respect among other species? Doesn’t it make sense that we are not the only ones who can care about others? So thank you again for bringing this out.
I:46 pm. That nest is rocking so bad. What high winds. I am glad that platform was lowered, but perhaps a little more for next season.
Sure why not just put it on the beach
It is so windy the platform is oscillating. George is trying so hard to protect Gracie from The wind. I hope all remain safe and the wind does down.
7:30pmEDT Gracie has kept the chicks on lock down for a couple of hours now. The wind is really whippin’ thru there. Do you think she does this to keep the chicks from blowing away? I would be worried if she wasn’t on the job!!! At one point, George brought in a fish tail and fed her, but she didn’t unlock the gang. Good momma; good hubby….
It is so windy out today- I hope the chicks don’t get blown away…
6-12-16 I am worried about George looks like he’s been in a fight he has cuts and scrapes all up-and-down his test red blood stains has anyone else noticed this? Comments are a little slow
Not complaining just saying I don’t know if anyone has seen this or if they noticed it ?
I saw the blood on his chest and thought it was unusual but I figured it was from a recent fish kill that perhaps got messy.
Why would Gracie sometimes leave her third chick unfed?
About 2:40-2:45pmEDT Toddler time..was all the way down past the TRS black bar and back up to above center of nest..G&G seemed to watch with pride…now we can all worry about them falling overboard. I can’t tell older two apart. Anyone? Which is it? I would assume Uno, but we all know the problem with assuming…..
3:28pm…George brings in BIG headless fish…the wanderer is passed out from exhaustion, so Trey and one sib are in line..Trey seems to be getting a good share…
The wanderer must be dreaming about his big adventure, because he’s “thrashing” in his sleep .Ohoh..he just popped up. Another mouth to feed. At least it looked like Trey had a good bit.
4:44pm…Geo brings back fish…big two are eating while Trey spars with a piece of plastic..comeon, little guy. get with the program !!! We’re all worried about you! You’re not helping !!!! George decided to park across the view, but I don’t think the little guy ate this time…had a wall of sibs to get through right before Geo stepped across…..
.Gracie is plopped across now..no wandering for a while, please !.
That was on top of the chicks..not across
Around 10:27 a.m., another slug fest between the older siblings. Poor Peanut was stuck on the side of one of them, and he was getting knocked all over the place. However, he was not the object of the pecks, etc. It’s amazing how long these slug fests last. George brought a headless fish to the nest around 10:50 a.m. There was plenty to go around, but I think Peanut only got one mouthful. ;-( After the other two ate, George flew off with the fish.At 12:25 p.m., he flies back with a headless fish. I don’t think it was the same one as earlier, but not sure. So happy that Peanut had a good feeding this time. Then they all settled down for a siesta. Another fish delivery at 3:20 p.m. Peanuts is getting fed again. I notice that some chickies are starting to get adventurous in the nest.
Yay for Trey!
Was just wondering – have George and Gracie successfully raised and fledged a clutch of three chicks in the past? thank you for sharing this beautiful though sometimes nail biting experience!
Chick No. 3 seems to be holding his own and getting a decent amount of fish, Gracie seems to be especially attentive to it. I am betting it will survive.
I think George better step up his nest fortifying. The one bobble head looks to be very interested in what’s out past it’s horizon. 🙂
Sorry about that info. It was chick #1 who pooped on Mommy, not Daddy!
At 10:17 a.m., the chick #1 pooped all over his daddy! I guess it’s like when I used to change my son’s diaper. George will have to take a swim.
BTW,,when the comment system is changed, I hope the many pages of previous comments from ’16 and ’15 can still be archived. Sometimes helpful to research there or just reminisce.
12:30 EST George’s chest has blood all over it. I’ve never seen that before. I’m hoping it’s from the fish he brought in.
I think the biggest difference between this year and last year so far is George. He’s been bringing in a fish about every two hours. Sometimes with the heads on. The chicks are almost tired of eating so much. But it seems to be holding down on the pecking and fighting and PeeWee II fell into a food coma at 12:30 on Sunday. Way to go, George!
George has fish blood on his chest. All three seem to be eating .
12:36 George has been bringing in a steady stream of fish today. Little Guy didn’t get any food last feeding but seems to be getting his fair share now. Nice to see no bonking going on. All three siblings are getting along well this year – fingers crossed !
12:25pmEDT George back in with fish,guess the same one he had 1/2hr ago. Waste not, want not. A fish in the claw is worth 10 in the ocean. Anyhow, back to feeding time.
Trey is up front, but he doesn’t have the reach of the sibs. Good luck, little guy !!!!
Happy to see that upper left corner going further and further out over the snarl…more seaweed and grasses please. Is it just me or has George gotten more chest specks?
Who is that stranger on the nest?
Hmm – nice to see wrong way Reilly facing the right direction for an upcoming fish!
Think he’s gonna make it.
Shout out to BETSY..how about a mini-fridge for that complete nest package you are inventing? Was that on the list?
And thanks for all the good work on videos..you and Leanne
Why didn’t Gracie feed the last hatched baby? Sad to watch!!!
Hi Nature lovers, I watched the interactions for two years now and only posted a few times last year. But I am a silent osprey watcher (lol) ( I a m sure there are others like me) …. But here are my observation: What is absolutely lovely this year is George and Gracie’s interaction with each other. There seems to be more love, patience, working together and feeding each other. They are a bit older now and they really do love each other. They live to be 25 years old. When Gracie was tired from laying eggs, George was there for her. George continually builds up the nest and fishing up a variety.
What I have noticed is that this baby crop of osprey-adees seem different from last (well of course —they are different souls) 1 and and 2 are sparring (or fighting, possibly seeing each other as a threat) and they are not pecking peewee (so far) as much and as soon as last year. Peewee has a strategy this year it seems even tho today 1 (or 2) noticed peewee at 7:17 today.. ugh! (so we’ll see and can hope). I even noticed yesterday peewee pecking on food on the nest. Seems like a testament to peewees’s strength! I also think that Gracie and George have figured out ways to feed creatively. Grace is even working faster at divvying out to each one in ways she did not last year and G and G are working together in feeding… how absolutely lovely to watch!
I am happy so far with this year. Not sure how it will all turn out. I also hope that peewee gets enough food and attention this week so that she/he can be bigger like the siblings are– this week (he/she is only a week younger really (my approximate sightings: June 3 5:23 p.m. 1st one hatched, June 5 the second one at 5:17 a.m., June 8 6:35 a.m. baby 3 hatched) So this could be a wonderful year for the family and many blessing to them, the neighbors around the nest (like Barry Root) and to all watching.
I sometimes wonder how the other G and G’s offspring– Sandy from Ronnie from last year are fairing… where they are.
(Thanks Paul… I really think that grocery tote is wonderful!) Thanks for the clock counter this year… good addition!
Osprey are not rocket scientists although many commentators on this site seem to give them credit when it is not due. They do a pretty good job (as nature intended) but their nest building is quite sloppy compared to other raptors and they often pay the price for this with plastic bags, fishing line, rope, and other dangerous materials that I rarely see owls, eagles, falcons, etc. use which often leads to big problems (you all remember last year’s rescue, I’m sure). As to the little guy making it, that is still very much up for grabs and will almost exclusively depend on a constant food supply which could end at any time and successfully dealing with intruders which also could be catastrophic at any time. These are the vagaries of the wild and folks should take them for what they are. To personalize too much can only lead to bitter disappointment when things don’t go exactly according to OUR plans which have little to do with nature’s plans. I always keep my hopes up but am never shocked at something bad happening. Regards to all.
Agree Bob Not an all together smart bird.
Great to see the little one at the head of the food line…he got his fair share and plenty of it…yayyyy peewee!!! 🙂
4:44amEDT 6/12 George stopped in for a head count and went off to do his duty.
5:01am First fish of the day. Whole fish to start with. Sleepy kids not quite awake yet, so Gracie has a chance to grab a bite. This feeding was short. Trey a bit unfocused. Spent more time turning around and facing in the wrong direction. George came back about 5:28 to take the fish, but circled and came back to the nest. He dined in and,after a brief nap, Gracie asked for seconds, which he fed to her
2nd chick feeding started. About 5:53. Trey scooched toward the front and benefited while Uno and Dos had a pushing contest. He had several pieces from the delicious tail section before he became the filling of a sib sandwich.
George, the hero dad , back with another fish @7:11am..Again the whole fish. The chicks are recognizing Mom’s excitement and flapping (sort of), in a hurry to get up.And the cycle starts again.
The forecast is for a windy, but sunny, day. Then, hopefully, a long stretch of good days for the whole week. Fingers crossed.!
7:17am…uh, oh…Trey facing off with bigger chick..Big guy tried the chest shove, hold down and Trey pecked back and “yelled”in his face. The big guy remembered it was feeding time and scooted back around toward Gracie.
7:29 George came for the fish. I don’t think Trey got any. Good thing he ate well earlier. He wound up jammed between the other two facing the wrong direction.
Looks like Tiney Tim is a fighter!!
I think I am going to start calling PeeWee2 Spunky.
I watched him peck at chick #1 at feeding time and he was front and center- literally- for food.
We may have a happy family of 5 this year- this kid has got guts!
7:22pmEDT Checked in mid feeding. It’s good to see Trey is getting stronger and better able to get some bigger chunks down. Gracie is a good mom, making the effort to go around the other two to feed him.Good thoughts going out to the little guy.
7:01 all three getting fed pretty equally and #3 seems to stick up for himself a little stronger.
Peewee had a great feeding at 6:15 pm and I didn’t see any bonking. He was upfront and all were well behaved from what I saw. 🙂
Because george really improved on his fishing.
where is everybody today/it appears as if #3 little bits is holding his or her own. I remain hopeful and Momma seems to be doing yeoman work feeding one and all when all is calm
6:28 6/11. About 6:00 pm a live fish was brought to the nest & was flipping around hitting the chicks until Gracie got hold of it. Pretty funny.
6:17pm Why aren’t any new comments coming up? I’ve made at least three comments since yesterday afternoon but I still don’t see them on here. I haven’t written anything controversial, I don’t think. lol At any rate, the little ‘guy’ seems to be feeding well. I’ve seen him get himself in front of the pack so that he can eat. He’s a feisty little guy! 🙂
Don’t take it personally…our moderator(s) are volunteers and need a day off sometimes. Occasionally remarks get lost; it’s happened to several others, me included. And , like you, I wondered what I said to offend !! Apparently, there are huge amounts of spam to reject, and all the comments from us chatty people to get in order.
I hope everyone saw the baby get fed today several times. It knows how to work its way to the front alot better. Some will be relieved, I know I was.
I would love to know how one of the sticks toward the back of the nest was positioned before it started dancing around. At 12:22 pm one end of the stick blew upward, so that the stick was in a slanted upright position in front of the camera on the right side of the view. Then, when Gracie got up to stretch and poop, a few minutes before 2 pm, she knocked the stick over. For the next almost 50 minutes, it would rock up in front of the camera and then back down with the wind, eventually remaining in almost the same position it was in when it first blew upward. At 2:48 pm, after Gracie “helped” George move a long stick (that he had brought at 12:25 pm, and had left toward the left front side of the nest) to the right side of the nest, she then backed up toward the camera; first her tail feathers knocked into the stick so it fell forward and then her left wing got caught on the top end of the stick. As she moved toward the left side of the nest to pick up a stray piece of fish lying on the nest, she ended up pushing the stick, still upright, to the left, where it ended up rocking to and fro with the wind. George meanwhile, had found another stray piece of fish, and after eating some of it, he started feeding chick #1. Gracie took the little bit of fish from George and fed the chicks – well, #1 and #2, since the little one was behind them. Meanwhile, the stick blew over at 2:51 pm – and I think out of the nest. (And this time the stick disappearing and reappearing wasn’t from a video stream time warp! 😀 )