Attention: due to the lack of visibility on the live stream, we are currently defaulting to a playlist of old videos and highlights. You can still go to the live view by clicking the button below.
OspreyZone Live Stream
•LIVE
OspreyZone Playlist
An Intro to OspreyZone
The Story of DDT
Osprey Rescue
2020 Clips
Bald Eagles Visit Nest
Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020
OspreyZone Highlights: May 15-20, 2020 - The Intruder
OspreyZone Highlights: May 7th-14th, 2020
OspreyZone Highlights: April 15-21, 2020
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
Tip: If the nest is empty, use the red scroll bar to rewind the stream up to 12 hours
Please be advised that nature can be brutal – viewer discretion is advised.
Best viewed with Google Chrome.
Ospreyzone.com copyright © 2016 – 2020 Tax Reduction Services. All rights reserved.
Special Thanks to Tommy and Christina: George & Gracie’s Landlords
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
18:30:50 wee one using his/her sibling as a pillow…too cute..so great to see contentment..
18:28:36 George is feeding #3..other two sleeping..what a good Daddy Our family had a beautiful day for a change..
Does anyone know where George might be eating his share of the caught fish and usually removing the head? Would he do it on the beach, does he have a particular tree, pole or whatever he does this? I’m not sure it would be the beach as the fish comes clean with no sand on it, just wondering……
One of our ospreyites posted the other day that it seems that Gracie feeds the two bigger chicks first, and then feeds #3. I , too, have noticed that many times. Maybe she feels that they will calm down when they have had enough to eat and then our favorite feathery baby can get his due portion. She’s doing an amazing job, as is George for keeping the fish flowing.
June 15 @5:47PM
Reply to Betsy: I have not been watching this site as often as i did last year, but still click it on periodically. Must applaud you for your passionate comments re the smallest chick. I had not read the others’ insults, but your defense is wonderful, informative, and, evidently, needed!! I consider watching any of these cams a privilege; to see what we would not see, ordinarily. Nature is not Disney as someone last year pointed out. That is precisely why when these creatures strive, survive, and thrive it is so uplifting for all of us.
sallyanne: Thank you. To see what animals go through to live, to survive, the day to day of their life, that this isn’t a game for them, you would think that people would be more understanding. I just think it’s wrong to ridicule a living creature that is fighting to survive … and even though it’s “only a bird,” as some people would say, to me it’s the equivalent of ridiculing a person who is physically or mentally challenged. Who would do that??!!
Come on Lil Bit wake up dinner is here.
In further response to Ronnie as to how come George brings in headless fish – The head contains the most protein, which George needs, to do his job.
Thank you for responding. I wondered about the whole headless thing.
I have to agree with Carmela here we are at feeding time and 3 seems to be showing that he is opaque. @5:40pm
5;33 more fish arrived only one chick awake. I think they are exhausted from all the feeding today. Nice work George
Yes I am glad we are sticking with Lil bit. It is just a lovely lovely name for him/her. And as far as it being upset that it is the same name as some eagle bird out in the middle of the country is just splitting overly sensative hairs. lol
Ospreys will feed their babies in birth order. That is, first born will be fed first and on down the line. It may seem cruel, and not “fair”, but that is how they feed them. This is to ensure that the first born, and therefore the strongest, will at least have the best chance of survival. This rarely will be a problem as long as there is an adequate food supply.
Wow Gracie probably could stand to take lessons from Rachel. Rachel seems to have her babies lined up and behaving in an orderly manner. and she almost feeds each one a bite after another.
Well Rachel is an all star. One that I think most osprey only hope they can be like. 🙂
Yikes!! Just reading through some of the comments. I think it is clear some should go out for some fresh air. This is a learning experience for us all, and we are all allowed to share our thoughts. Please everyone try to get along better 🙂
Betsy
I agree 100% with your comment about Chick #3. Unfortunately we do live in a World where people enjoy seeing nature at its cruelest. This site has become very popular and with popularity comes the Trolls. I think we all know what trolling is and what motivates these sub-humans. They feed off of any of God’s Creatures suffering.
We have 99.9999% very kind and thoughtful people here and it’s sad that you had to say, what needed to be Said.
The only Advice that I can give is this,
” Don’t Feed The Trolls “. If we all do this they will go Away
Mike
Mike: Thank you. Hmm, trolls … I’ll have to remember to use that name in a future post!! 😀
Mike these people were not making cruel comments for the most part. They were stating there own observations and apparently Betsy did not agree with them. Calling them trolls is rude and inconsiderate.
Wow, Paul or Aidan (my apologies if it’s someone else), you guys are really zipping along getting comments posted today! … I can hardly keep up!! 😀 (As I mentioned earlier, I read ALL of the comments, plus I’m either watching OZ or scrolling back to see what I may have missed, composing posts and/or replies, looking up any relevant info, and life!! 😀 )
As a frequent viewer last season, I watched the unfortunate demise of the last born chick. It was heart wrenching but all part of natures course. We are all on this site voluntarily, if it gets to be too much, switch to funny cat videos on YouTube. Osprey chicks are operating on animal instinct, something none of us can relate to. Try to remember nature isn’t a Disney flick.
Great comment.
Wow Betsy a little shrill no? I just see people making observations. You do not have to like them. but they are entitled.
6-15-16 WoW about the names for the babies, Last year Paul is the one who initiated a contest on baby names and it was voted on what the names would be. Because of the show George and Gracie they wanted to name the babies Sandy and Ronny to go with the same favorite movie of Tommy’s.
I do believe Paul will be the one who will have the final say if there’s a contest and what the names will be as he did last year. A lot of bickering about what people can call baby three that’s kind of silly .
This is a free public open chat and until the babies are named I think everyone has the right to call the babies whatever they want .
Last year before the babies were named all the babies had several names and it worked out fine until the naming contest was completed.
No need to get upset or offended or say you have to call baby three this or that. Everyones entitled to their own opinion and everyone has the right to call baby three whatever they choose until it is named. We should be talking about the family. We all love our Osprey family let’s enjoy they’re all healthy and growing.
Hurray for #3! Front and center at 4:00 feeding. Ate so much, so early on, fell into a food coma BEFORE the other two for a change. He is boldly claiming his rightful place in the
family hierarchy. Glad he’s getting strong enough to move around, toward the food, and away from fighting siblings.
Are there any plans to Tag or Band all of our Osprey Family. I hope in the coming years that George and Gracie come back to their Home. But when they embark on their Winter Migration South
I do believe that George and Gracie do Winter in South America or in the general vicinity. There are plenty of Osprey Researche that will track and they will identify the Osprey thru the ID on the Band
This information is valuable in the study of the Osprey ‘s migratory habits
I’ve seen video of Osprey’s being Banded and the procedure is non-invasive and does not harm the Osprey and even the The Chicks are are not harmed It is something to think about
And also I came across a term that describes us all ” Ospreyphiles ” it is a fitting term for out Group
Mike
How do you know they are not harmed by the tags? Much can happen over the years and we would never be able to retrieve or assist them later – how unfair it is when we tag and/or put transmitters on them. And how much information do us humans really need / we have already done much of this, haven’t we? What is gained by it? We are intruders in their world, let them live free and undisturbed by our constant quest for knowledge. Just enjoy this look into nature – that is a gift. Just my opinion, I’m entitled.
The smallest chick is not daft, a dolt, inept, or any other unkind adjectives people want to use to describe chick #3. I posted it before and I’m posting it again now:
1st chick hatched: 6/3/2016 between 2:42 pm and 5:23 pm, when first seen
2nd chick hatched: 6/5/2016 somewhere before 4:58 am, when first seen
3rd chick hatched: 6/8/2016 at 6:17 am
Meaning the third chick hatched more than 4 1/2 days after chick #1 and a little more than 3 days after chick #2. Considering that they are almost adult size by 5 weeks, I would have to say, as I’m sure a vast majority of people on this site will agree, that this gave it a major major disadvantage. He seems to be a little fighter and I am, as I know a lot of other people here are (especially after reading all of the comments … and I do read all of the comments, even the oafish ones), rooting for it to overcome what disadvantages and unfairness in life it was dealt.
And, BTW, nature is not cruel, that requires an intentional act … however, I do think that some of you are cruel. I would think watching nature webcams would foster a sense of empathy and understanding. But, I’m probably wasting my typing fingers, because you’re probably the same people who just throw wads of fishing line into the water, toss your garbage out of the window and let your plastic shopping bags blow in the wind.
Thank you Betsy….it is nature in it’s full glory.
People don’t “throw wads of fishing line” into the water, the line breaks, that’s it, there’s nothing you can do about that. What are you supposed to do, dive into the water and go looking for the line that just broke???
Ospreylover: I’m talking more about discarded fishing line. “Pack out any discarded fishing line. Monofilament line is especially dangerous to all wildlife.” from “TREAD LIGHTLY!’S TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE FISHING” https://www.treadlightly.org/tread-lightlys-tips-for-responsible-fishing/
Im so glad you said that I really thought I was the only one thinking that.
Not only is the 3rd chick 4.5 days younger but also must yield to the other 2 chicks, getting fed last, so has a double steep hill to climb when it comes to growing larger, faster. Seems we all have faith in this family – sometimes holding our breath while watching. We all want #3 to thrive! Sending lots of positive energy their way – hoping or wishing they can feel our love for them.
Why are you being rude, nature isn’t all rainbows.
Betsy….I am a first time cam watcher this year and have been learning so much watching and chatting with people who are knowledgeable…I have never had anyone speak to me in the manner you just spoke in your comment especially the last sentence…it was inappropriate, uncalled for and unacceptable.
Arlene: From what I have read, your comments show empathy and compassion for the smallest chick, you do not use unkind descriptive words. Please read my comment again. My comment was not directed toward you. However, the definition of cruel is “willfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.” Nature is not a sentient being … meaning it is not able to perceive or feel things or deliberately act. Therefore, nature cannot be cruel … it can be harsh, severe, unforgiving, unpleasant. Neither can it be kind. And, I’m sure most of us have, at one time or another, described nature as cruel!!
Betsy: I understand that a number of people will use the word cruel without realizing the full meaning of the word in relation to nature. I for one used it when I first started to view the cams a few months ago. I learned that this is not the case with wildlife and yes harsh would be more of a better word describing the aggression we witness. The real problem I had with your comment was about referencing that some of the viewers were likely to be the ones who leave fishing lines and trash etc in the water. Without you personally knowing any of us, I took it as an inappropriate comment and I see some also took offense to it. We are all here to witness the beauty part of nature and unfortunately the not so pleasant part…..that we definitely have in common and I want to thank all the people involved who allow us to watch these beautiful bird families as they grow and mature. It is a marvelous experience.
OK..now I have to say, Deep breath…Breathe..save the fingers..whether all or just one…breathe we are observers….breathe…..
I know CarolV sometimes it helps to go outside 🙂
Betsy—-Thank you soooo much for replying to me! Much appreciated! For awhile there, I thought I was doing something wrong.
No,Karen, it’s not you, it’s just the way the system works. I want to add that sometimes after more recent comments get posted older ones start showing up! And sometimes, for whatever reason, a comment may be rejected, but, with a little rephrasing, you can often re-post a comment successfully.
What a cute picture at 2:30 pm today. Bellies are full, and the chicks look like they are lined up in birth order as they nap!! Too sweet.
You people are all funny!! And, apparently you don’t read the comments or you don’t read them very well!! First of all, Leanne first used the name “Lil Bit” (albeit for the first chick) in her comments on June 4, 2016 (at 12:41 pm and at 1:46 pm)!! (And, I don’t see that name being used in any comments prior to that for this year’s chicks.) And then John Elipolito referred to the last chick as Lil Bit on June 9, 2016 at 10:29 am, followed by Gina W June 9, 2016 at 7:35 pm. And from there, a lot of people started calling the third chick by that name. Give credit where credit is due. And second of all, I don’t know of anything being “official” at this time, Karen C, sweety … the name does fit, but I don’t think all people have to refer to the smallest chick as “Lil Bit.”
Betsy love, I think Karen C was talking to CarolV from what I read.
LisaM, love, you’re another name I don’t see previously posted (for the last 11 pages of comments at least — back to page 25, which starts from November 11, 2015). I see a Lisa L, a Lisa A, and a Lisa P and even a plain Lisa, but no LisaM. I give you permission to read my post (June 15, 2016 at 10:36 pm) to “Tammy.”
yay..thought it was just me…I won’t even MENTION salt…..
😀
I’m not in favor of Lil Bit. I don’t watch often but look in everyday to see how #3 is doing and glad to see #3 is still here. Let’s see how everything goes and then decide what to name them.
Beautiful scene at 1:55pm George is feeding Gracie and sharing with the babies. Also noticed earlier wee one being well fed. Just concerned that they are so near the edge of the nest.
Wow!! These babies are growing so fast. I’m in NYC helping my daughter and son-in-law as their twin boys are here and doing great. So much closer to the nest than when I’m home in Tennessee, yet still so far. We will be back in August and will spend the week in Southold. So maybe we can get a glimpse of the family then.
Twins are doing great. They are a little over 2 weeks old now, and are growing so much already. Gonna be extremely hard for this grandma to leave them!!
Been so busy with babies that I haven’t been able to check in on the family as much as usual, so all the comments are great to go through to catch up on what’s been happening. Keep them coming.
Leesa: Congratulations on the birth of your twin grandsons!! I forgot! That seems like ages ago, in the beginning of May, that you posted that your daughter and son-in-law in Manhattan were expecting twin boys … and you didn’t post anything when they were born!! I guess the kids came first!! 😀 (We should have done it, CarolV, a “which came first … the chicks or the kids watch” That was funny!! 😀 )
Congrats, New Gramma of TWINS !!! Glad to hear all going well.! Safe journeys ahead. Blessings on the boys and the new parents….
June 16- 12:57pm- Congratulations on the grandsons. 🙂
1:30 pm edt Cutest moment of the day the little one in a food coma with his head resting on the tail of the fish 🙂
Little guy he his usual move to front, right up with older siblings, and he got AT LEAST 21 good bites that I saw? Another good feeding. Godspeed little one!
Hi friends Im pleased to let you all know that our Lil Bit is doing very well 🙂 As are his sibs. So not to offend thoes that were here last year we will be going with Lil bit as Opposed to Pee Wee. Thanks all and Lots of Love 🙂
Random thoughts/questions: George is clearly bringing more fish this year. Is that a function of him being more experienced? Are the 2 older ones playing when they are going at each other. We once had a litter of wild kittens in our yard and we watched them “play” under the supervision of the mother. She was also teaching them to hunt by bringing wounded field mice for the kittens to “play” with. Is there an increasing difference in size between the 2 older ones? Finally I may have been too pessimistic re the little one. She has real spunk and, while she will never catch up, she is now big enough to hold her own in the scrum.
Ed McDougal: I am not an osprey expert nor did I watch the nest last year at the start of the breeding season, but as far as George bringing more fish to the nest this year, I believe it is a combination of factors: yes, there is a parental learning curve, born of experience, but, there also was a fish die-off last year affecting his ability to provide fish for the chicks and Gracie. As far as the two older chicks playing, although there is still a lot unknown about all of the the behaviors of osprey, everything I’ve read states that the pecking establishes the pecking order in the nest — a hierarchy of dominance – so that if food is or becomes scarce, the dominant chick is the first to get fed, ensuring that at least one of the year’s brood might survive. (Personally, though, I wonder if it may also help teach life skills, such as defending the nest against intruders or predators.)
And, as far as kittens playing, not only being a kitten/cat owner but also a past rescuer of kittens and cats, I can state that play not only teaches kittens hunting skills and social interactions, but it also helps them to develop physical coordination (and they seem to play for the sake of playing! Because, I really don’t see what life lessons he could be learning when my Brady puts paper towels in the water bowl or he and his brother, Andy, pull the keys off of the keyboard on my laptop!! 😀 – Osprey, I’m not so sure about!).
Yes, it looks to me as if there is an ever widening difference in size between the two older chicks and the youngest chick. But, I too, am not ready to write off the littlest one, who definitely has spunk and true grit!!
I do believe George is spending more time at nest because he does know there are at least 2 male intruders out there looking to find a nest they can call home. He is going to make sure they know this is his nest and he is present. Also the fact that Gracie is letting him stay at the nest since food is so abundant and plentiful and they are much more bonded this year. George also has been trying to step up the daddy feedings whenever Gracie lets him.
I do not think that Osprey’s need or want a nest unless they intend on mating and laying eggs. It is my understanding the 1/2 year they spend in central/south America, there are no nests.
If you have different information, please let me know. I am curious. I am more worried about predator bird intruders stealing the chicks. This happened too the nest on the Chesapeke. One chick taker away by a raptor.
Glad to see Lilbit/peewee grew some.
June 15 @11:25 am I noticed that chick #3 has appearance of a dent on back top part of head. Is that something to be concerned about?
I read somewhere that the chicks form some sort of pointy thing on their head to help them break out of the shell. I don’t see that mark on the two older chicks so maybe it will eventually go away.
Marilyn: I think you’re referring to the “egg tooth”, but, it is the a small hard “spike” that forms on the end of the upper beak a few days before the chick hatches to help it crack open the egg shell … it’s the white area that you can see at the tip of each chick’s beak and it disappears within a few weeks after a chick hatches.
Elaine: I don’t see a dent on the top back of chick #3’s head. I do see a dark mark, which may or may not be an injury from a peck!!
June 15 @ 1050 am, parents left nest, but 2 older kids were going at each other. Looks like typical children. “When the cat’s away, the mice do play”. Chick #3 stayed out of the way of the battle. When Gracie returned, the older chicks settled down.
I know it has been mentioned before, but George needs to bring some bigger sticks to build up the sides of the nest- we’ve got a wanderer on our hands.
Maybe Tommy can leave some on his beach again to give George the hint??
I also think Rocky/Lambchop is going to do just fine. It will be a crowded nest with 5 birds in it in a few months!
The wanderer’s name should be Dion!
Reply Betsy, I really wish I could at first even though fish supply is good with bb3 being 5 days( I think) younger he didn’t seem he was going to get enough of food but luckily bb1 and bb2 left him alone and are not seeing him as a threat yet. So bb1 and bb2 are both trying to establish the pecking order of the nest or at least who is going to dominate the nest. Like you have mentioned bb2 sometimes starts the fighting it is not always bb1 who starts. As it has been said even though Gracie and George have learned a lot from last year and they definitely show all the signs of being bonded and working together to raise the babies it is nature and Gracie nor George so far have ever interfered with the siblings. There are other osprey females who keep the fighting from getting out of hand and who let the babies know she will be determining who gets the food, mom is in control of feedings like Rachel for example. Now with that said I have noticed when babies were fighting one time Gracie picked up piece of fish in nest and started picking at it. Could be my human thoughts but it also could be Gracie was trying to stop them fighting by getting them to pay attention to her and she would feed them so they would go back to sleep.
Last year peewee was a problem because there was a Fish Shortage and poor Gracie had to ration sometimes 1 maybe 2 fish if they were lucky for all 4 of them. This is what Rob B. mentioned Gracie took control over fish and feed George his portion. It was very obvious from the start before pewee was born food was already scarce. As soon as he/she was born Ronnie was already fighting with Sandy for what food Gracie was giving. It was hard for a period of time because Gracie did nothing but cry out the whole time. I think most of us were even surprised Sandy made it at the beginning. Food got better and Sandy learned real quick if she/he wanted to survive she/he was second in line for food. While there were times Sandy was so hungry Sandy would put up a fight to get food but realized it got him or her nowhere other than beat up.. Eventually food got a little better more and more as they were growing so that worked out. Someone mentioned how George is spending more time at nest and we think last year was he was staying away from nest until he could get food. Anytime he would even try to be at nest without fish Gracie was screaming out at him and practically pushing him out of nest. We thought Gracie was going to lose her voice for calling she sounded so horse from all the yelling and crying out so loudly.
Baby 3 might get lucky and it might be baby 2 that we have to worry about. It is so up in the air not like other osprey nest.
Who could have guessed that an osprey family would have 4 babies just for 3 of them to die of unknown they say possibly bacteria,virus,who knows but 1 baby survived and both parents, no one saw that happening. Just goes to show you we can not predict nature.
rjoneal: Thank you for answering my question. And, I saw that, too, when the two older chicks were fighting the other day and Gracie took a piece of the fish and leaned forward with it, several times in fact, to try, unsuccessfully, to get their attention. Other times, too, I’ve noticed, when they start to squabble and there isn’t any fish in the nest, she’ll start making begging calls to George, and she’ll actually look stressed, I think, with the fighting. And, that other nest with the 3 of 4 chicks dying was sad, sad, sad. Unfortunately, for any living creature, human or any other animal, there can be unpredictable tragic events – illness, famine, plague, fire, and floods and any other number of natural or manmade disasters – that occur, with agonizing outcomes.
Baby Finster or Lil’ Louie as I like to call him (as in Hughie, Dewey and Louie, yes, I know they were ducks), anyway Lil’ is visibly bigger than he was yesterday!!!
So relieved that Tiny Hiney has been feeding extremely well but still a big difference in size compared to the other two. What a difference five days can make!
Reply to Bre Yes I too have noticed bb1 mimicking George and Gracie. Do you remember last year when Ronnie and Sandy would both chime in with their little alarm calls whenever mom and dad would sound the alarm. They desperately would try and mimic their calls but at the same time they would immediately know this is danger and they both would get flat immediately in the nest. It was so instinctive they knew it was danger and they did what they should do blend into the nest. Also remember seeing them trying to move sticks around the nest that was too funny.
It will be interesting to see what gender the chicks are. The first chick to hatch usually establishes dominance. However, it seems to me that chick #2 is the more domineering and aggressive chick, while chick #1 seems to be a little less aggressive and more submissive — leading me to wonder if chick #2 is male and chick #1 is female and if there is any correlation also between gender and dominance. I wonder, too, how much of an effect, if any, of Gracie’s not really feeding chick #1 the day after it hatched factors into things.
I also find interesting, as rjoneal in her June 10, 2016 at 7:55 pm post commented about the aggression between chicks #1 and #2 of this year’s nest that doesn’t appear to be food related, a similar situation that occurred in 2015 at a nest in Massachusetts (as posted on July 16, 2015 by Allens Pond Staff http://blogs.massaudubon.org/theospreypost/a-puzzling-osprey-chick-mortality/) “Sibling aggression, in which the dominant chick(s) pecks at the weaker chick to assert power during meal time … What remains unknown is why there was sibling aggression at this nest. Aggression has been thought to arise during food shortages but this nest is not experiencing one.”
And lastly, I waffle back and forth on chick #3’s chances of survival. For example, this morning, when Gracie fed the chicks early this morning at around 5 am some of the leftover fish from last evening, the two older chicks were right there front and center getting fed, while chick #3, behind them, after finally getting its head out from under chick #1, and then lying there for a while, first tried to get noticed before getting 1 small piece of fish and then going back to sleep. It did better when the chicks were fed again just before 5:42 am (from the same leftover fish) with chick #3 making its way up the nest bowl slope to stand to the left of chick #1, getting fed a little, and then working its way a little closer to Gracie and getting fed, dropping a few pieces but getting a bunch in. And it did even better when they were fed again at 7:35 am.
Just an observation from this year -v- last year. Last year there was not as much food in the nest, George has either become a better “fisher”, the food supply is more plentiful, or a combination of both. #3 is feeding well this year -v- last year. Also, because the food supply was not as good last year, the older siblings pecked at Pee Wee, who in turn could not feed and became weaker as the days went by. This year, because of the plentiful food supply, I don’t see this happening to #3. I see bonking behavior between #1 and #2, but for the most part #3 is not the object of their bonking.
Lady Di: That’s good to know. Thank you.
Thanks so much to everyone who posts info about when the little guy gets food! So many of us are following this, but we can’t always
tune in (at work, etc.) to see it for ourselves. So thanks for filling us in. It’s really a big relief to know.
Am I the only one thinking our little guys seems to be getting a lot of food this year? Saw Gracie feeding just him this morning at about 940. I am hoping the fishing supply stays plentiful this year!
9:47am George is feeding no 3 while the other two stand down. Good to see.
June 15, 9:43am BOY ! They are growing so fast !!!
I just went back to OZ … there’s another feeding right now (8:33:02 am), again with chick #3 in the front and getting fed! Okay, bye now, gotta go watch!!
Betsy…question what is OZ?
Oh, sorry Margaret, OspreyZone!! 🙂
Betsy… oh wow I feel pretty dumb not thinking that OZ was Osprey Zone!
Margaret: Please don’t feel dumb!! The first time I saw SOD on another website, I was thinking why are they calling me SOD (fool or idiot)??!! Turns out, they mean it as “Sweet Osprey Dreams” (cute, but a little corny!! 😀 ).
Osprey Zone !
8:30 EST Scrolled back and saw two feedings this morning and the little one ate quite well. At 5:48 feeding little one was fed very well after the other two fell into food comas. At 7:40 feeding it was right up front and center and Gracie seemed focused on it. One of the sibs actually waited it’s turn to be fed after the little one. The little spit fire just might have a chance.
June 15 @ 7:55 A.M. (EST) Gracie got up and began eating a leftover that was in the nest. Then the babies realized there was food and woke up. Rocky of course was on the bottom and struggle to get out from under them again facing the wrong direction. But he managed to get himself up along side the other two so he was right p there and Gracie was feeding all three very equally. was a small piece so feeding didn’t last long. To bad George didn’t bring a fish yet because the feeding was going so well for Rocky at this time more food would have been a good thing. It isn’t always that Rocky gets in that good a position to get fed like Frazier and Ali (as I call them). But maybe he is getting stronger and more able to get around the nest bowl to position himself up there with other 2. Some comments say “Hope he catches up to the others” but that will not happen he will always be smaller because he was born last. I am just so happy this morning as I watched that feeding it is the first time I actually felt that Rocky is definitely going to make it as long as the food keeps coming and the other 2 do not begin to attack him.
7:30ish Major boxing match going on -Rocky under them but not being threatened.
7:40 George brings breakfast and believe it or not at one point only Rocky was eating. Other two were so full they hardly ate and went back to sleep leaving Rocky to get fed by himself. Great to see how he is coming along.
It is going to be a beautiful day here so between having plenty of food there will not be any of the wind or rain today which we have been having. Could not be more perfect.
At 7:34:08 am, chick #2 started a fight with chick #1 … chick #3 was lying between them, flat and out of the way … Gracie had been calling for George to bring food and the chicks were hangry … then at 7:35:33 am the two chicks conk out, with chick #1 going down first, chick #2 following with its beak in #1’s neck … George came with a headless fish at 7:35:58 am, landing just as an intruder came near and then both he and Gracie both watched it fly by overhead, at the ready to leap up … Gracie took the fish from George as he continued to call out a warning to the intruder … Gracie ate some of the fish first, as par for the course, as chick #2 made its way over to stand closer to her … then chick #1 got up to crowd in, hanging back a little behind its sibling, as Gracie started to feed chick #2 … poor little chick #3 was caught behind chick #2, under chick #1’s wing; then it managed to turn itself around and squeeze between chick #2 on the left and chick #1 on the right to stand at the head of the group before working it way up closer to Gracie … and Gracie fed it and a lot … chick #2, meanwhile had conked out and chick #1, behind chick #3, would occasionally stick its head over chick #3 to get fed. And then the feeding continued with chick #2 waking up and all three chicks getting fed. At 7:47:53, Gracie was still feeding chick #3, chick #1 behind it asleep and chick #2 had already turned around, apparently sated, to sleep. This was the third feeding of the day, the first two feedings with the leftover fish from last evening at around 5 am (with #3 getting nary a piece) and again at around 5:45 am (when #3 did better)
7:45 AM: #3 front and center and got the majority of a huge fish. George is a great provider and #3 has enough spunk to fend for herself. And she’s so much smaller than #1 and 2 that she is able to duck from the squabbles. It is a bit difficult to see her struggle when #1 or 2 sits on her and she can’t get up. But she is getting stronger every day and that will soon pass.
…it was just before 5 am, when George brought in the 1st fish o’ the day. It was a good size, & clearly, George had already feasted on the 1st half (keep up your strength, George…you have Gracie & THREE babes to satisfy!). George & Gracie both fed the still sleepy babies for a short time before George flew off, & Gracie settled in on the chicks, for a bit of extra sleep. By 5:45, Gracie took a small breakfast for herself, before starting what seemed to be, one of the most impressive feedings, yet! Everyone was so calm, with Gracie (almost looking like the computer was in fast motion!) being sure to fill every open beak. Lil One, had the meal of her/his life…impressively huge pieces going down without trouble (barely any dropping, even!), & no taunting from the siblings (in fact, Lil One actually took a couple of pecks at her/his siblings, here & there!). Full to passing out, it was a sweet & beautiful bouquet of chicks, resting peacefully in the morning sun, when they finished. Looooove…
…as I was typing (just after 7:30 am), George brought in yet another BIG catch! Lil One is once again, right there in the front, getting her/his full share (& then some, perhaps!). My heart is singing (as I’m certain that this ‘news’, will make many of us here in the Osprey family, smile & breathe a sigh of relief…for this moment, anyway!). Abundance is key right now, I believe! ***Just a side note: it’s been about 20 minutes since the feeding began, & Lil One is still eating voraciously! It’s looking like a very good day, indeed!
around 5:45 all where feed..it took Gracie about 7 min to feed them, especially…little one, chick 3, baby 3, tiny one, trey, Lil Bit I think the viewer name -I -has the best name
Wee one…wishing our family a beautiful day
Lil Bit also a great t name
It is June!! Yesterday we agreed to call him that. I belive Grandma Mema came up with that name. (: Love it!!
I cant call him lil bit. That was the name of chick 3 that died this year at dec north nest 🙁
understood…will not use that name..
5:45 am…did anyone else see this feeding? Lil one got fed tons and got right up front. Gracie couldn’t feed him fast enough. The other 2 were not in a food coma either, just watched with no bonking ! These 3 sure do drop alot of food though…….
I believe it has been mentioned here, but would like to recommend…Video of Dr. Rob Bierregaard discussing Osprey. Answers many questions we have so that like Ms. Walters’ class, we are prepared for what we watch….check him out on YOUTUBE
Dr. Bierregaard has tracked osprey for many years and previously had a local bird, North Fork Bob, engaged in his research. Bob became a casualty of osprey life this past fall. It would be nice if some other local bird were chosen for his studies, but I believe Dr. Rob has moved on to a new mystery of osprey migration…where and how northern birds (Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, I believe) find their winter home. Look forward to following his efforts @ ospreytrax.com. Good tagging, Dr.Rob !!!!
Around 5:00 am 6/15 little one ate very good. Its a fiesty one and it will need to be.
6:46am It’s easy to see now how Peewee wound up so much smaller than Ronnie and Sandy last year. I had missed the beginning of their growth, so tuned in to a tiny chick and two big ones. I thought there might have been a physiological reason for the size difference when this year shows it is just the timing. It’s amazing how much bigger these two older guys are. Trey seems to be getting fed, and is growing. He has strategies to get in there. He just looks so much smaller in comparison. Keep up the good fight, little one !! We’re rooting for you !!!
And may the fish keep coming…..
Hi Carol, You were not around yesterday sweety. We determined Lil Bit is his ofical name. Thanks 🙂
To the Group
How and Who determined that #3 name was going to be lilbit. There are quite a number of Fans who view the nest on a regular basis. Although we may not post as often as others we are still very much interested in #3 and the well being of the others
What we should do is share or ideas and thoughts about possible Names and then as a collective whole come up with possible names and vote, I think that’s the basis of a Democracy.
Mike
Mike, I agree wholeheartedly!!
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;”
You’re right, sweetie, I wasn’t around for that discussion. Formal naming comes later in the summer.
June 16- 12:48 pm- I am very curious as to who “we” are? I believe official naming comes during the summer when the fans of OZ vote to decide who has what name. Until they are truly officially named, we can all call them what we choose to. 🙂
5:44amEDT A second feeding starts. Trey finds it better not to be stuck behind two big butts and gets his head level with Uno and Dos. Looked like Trey had a good feeding this time.!! YAY!
4:43amEDT 6/15 George dropped in to grab the fish left from yesterday. There’s a large piece left, which he took.. It’s a beautiful, calm morning.
George was back by 4:55. Gracie was a little slow getting up. Thinking of the busy day ahead and getting a few more seconds of peace? The pippers were in the morning pile as she stood. One mouth popped open immediately.Gracie went off for a quick lap; all eyes are on Dad…..Gracie came back and the frenzy commenced.
June 14- 2:48 am- Checking in again. She is still restless and while scrolling back I noticed that she leaves the chicks and goes to right side of nest. Just curious as to why she’s doing this. Very restless Gracie tonight.
To 2015 viewers of OZ: I didn’t watch OZ last year until shortly before Ronnie and Sandy fledged. Tonight I watched parts of the videos “Highlights – June 24, 2015,” “Highlights – June 19, 2015,” and “Highlights – June 28, 2015.” I hate to be a bubble buster, and I know that these videos only show but a few days of last year’s clutch — but I really don’t see that much difference between Pee Wee and this year’s little guy. I desperately want to remain cautiously optimistic that this year’s little guy will overcome the odds and survive. So, if you would or could outline any differences you see between them, that would be greatly appreciated.
June 14- 11:28 pm- I just checked in on Gracie and was surprised to see that she is still sitting up and awake. Looking around. I scrolled back the entire 4 hrs and she’s been up and moving around the whole time. Wondering if there is something in the area that has her spooked.
I DO NOT mean to offend anyone by using Spanish numbers to distinguish the chicks. It was previously explained that I call them that to honor the time that these osprey spend in South America,over the winter. Calling them 1,2,3 is too mundane. In any case, we have many names for these chicks, one of which viewers from last year aren’t fond of. Can’t we just all call them what we want until they are officially named?
Was albe to do scrollback to about 3:34pmEDT 6/14.when George brought in a pinestick. Gracie suggested a late lunch, so George was back @4:03 with a large, whole fish. The chicks weren’t very interested, as their crops looked fairly full already (will have to wait for comments to fill in on timing of last feeding). Gracie got a good feeding. After George took over the fish, the gang sort of woke up. George started feeding whoever was interested,and Trey got several pieces before he was full. George guzzled the tailfin, It was good to see very little aggression,,mainly they were asleep…….at one point, Trey was accidentally flipped over and sat on, but he wiggled out. Later, he was asleep with a “hug” from one sib…
George was back @8:08pm with ANOTHER fish.He cleaned this one elsewhere, and ate more sitting in the nest. There wasn’t much interest, as Gracie had chicks on lockdown. Geo started feeding Gra. She let the chicks up about 8:30, and Geo was feeding them…Gra was standing in the way, so I don’t know if Trey got anything this go-round. There was a large sib butt in his way when last I saw him, so I doubt it. He had a few good bites at the last feeding, so I guess he’s okay.
George left at 8:36, leaving remaining fish on nest. Morning wake-up snack?
Thanking George for being a GREAT Fisherman this season!Being a very good, seasoned Daddy!It seems right now that the little ones and whole family are having their sushi fill! Hopefully the fish will be plentiful to handle this incredible family!!
Can I post a picture? if so how?
june c: Thank you for posting about the chat with Dr. Rob Bierregaard on explore.org (I saw your post, too, rjoneal, but you didn’t mention what site the chat had been on 🙁 ) As June says, Dr. Bierregaard answered a lot of questions sent in to him by osprey cam viewers. If people can, I highly recommend watching (well, listening) to the recorded chat. It is extremely informative with answers to questions about osprey that I have seen asked on OZ plus a lot of other interesting facts about them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM4dj9n0QIg
Hi CR, Maybe there is some confusion. Trey is not “Tres”. Trey is a common nickname in the USA for the third child. I’m French and welcome all to call them Un, Deux, Trois. It would be an HONOR!! I’m sure no one here would be offended if we called them 1,2,3 either. I don’t see anything offensive about numbers. My friend has a dog named Quattro because he has 4 legs. I’m sure you would take offense to that too. Viva La Gracie and George!!!
i see chick bean #1 picking up dads fidget habit with picking up small straw chew/cute
LOL after dinner Gracie goes to round up crew for nap and realizes its lawn GUY cutting day GEEZ ! lol
Is there a reason as to why my comments are not being posted?
Karen DeLong: I don’t know how many comments you’ve posted, but I see 2 on page 34 of comments (June 10, 2016 at 6:10 pm and June 13, 2016 at 11:12 am) and 3 so far on page 35 (June 14, 2016 at 4:37 pm, June 14, 2016 at 4:46 pm, and June 14, 2016 at 6:53 pm). Comments sometimes take a little while to post (our moderators are volunteers and post our comments when they can, plus apparently a ton of spam flows in which then must be weeded out and discarded), so as long as comments are not outlandish or extremely controversial, they do eventually get posted. There is a new system in the works that hopefully, for both moderators and commenters alike, will be more efficient and timely. I recently received an email from OZ, and I quote, “We are going to be changing our comments section this week … to allow posts in real time (no delays).” So just bear with it, if you can, until the new system, if all goes well, is up and running.
Chick Pea ate good today 😉
June 14 5:40 p.m. (EST) Just a comment right now I do have some things to respond to but I have been super busy. I have been thinking I would call the babies Frazier (#1), Ali (#2 ) and Rocky #3. Especially Rocky because this little guy is really fighting the good fight to become strong and survive. He just will not give up. He keeps struggling out from underneath the other two (sometimes ending up in the wrong direction but he seems to struggle his way at least in between the other 2 and demands to get fed. Frazier and Ali do go at it like two boxers in a ring, Just so happy they are not attacking the one I will call Rocky. And I agree with the pleas of not calling Rocky Pee-Wee. It is too depressing.
June 16- 12:41 pm- Been catching up on comments and I wanted to let you know that I, myself, called PeeWee from last year Rocky before he was officially named. Same reasons as you call this lil guy Rocky. They both sure could fight. Hope this lil guy makes it and I have a feeling he/she will.
LOL Dad got squirted 😉 as he turns around to look..very funny!
Have you all noticed that George is spending a lot more time in the nest than last year? Probably because fishing is much better this year than last. He’s not out as much. Lil one is very feisty and brave. It is amazing how much bigger one and two are compared to 3. Just a few days between the hatch. If he keeps eating the way he has I’m sure he will catch up soon!
No Problem Cierra Im sure no won will call them that anymore. sorry to offend. Looks like were going with Lil Bit anyways 🙂