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Bald Eagles Visit Nest
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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
17:49 George brings in din din..Intruder alert..George takes off with fish after him ..17:51:36 u can see intruder fly by..George comes back with fish..Gracie takes it and feeds B and little one…the best is at 17:55:27 u see baby A get up and his crop looks like it is ready to pop
june c: I made a video … but I fell asleep and taped for over 2 hours!! Did you see when the little one was nibbling at its sibling’s foot after they were done getting fed?? And after the chicks, Gracie fed George!!
Paul
Is there anything we can do to offset some of the costs that you have to lay out for the running of the Web Cam. Let us know as we would be more than happy to help out
Betsy
When times are posted by NOAA for Sunrise and Sunset also for Moonrise and Moonset actually these times mean when the first and last bits of the Sun and Moon beak the Plane of the Horizon.
People are under the misconception that the times mean when the Sun and Moon are completely Visible.
Hope this helps
Mike
Mike: I understand that, but I was hoping to see the moon from the second the edge of it started showing on the horizon — the whole kit and caboodle!! But there were pesky clouds in the way!!
Most of our Osprey viewers do know..even keep track..today sunrise my area is 5:22 and in East Marion 5:17..even keep track of high and low tides in relationship
to fishing..I really don’t think any of our views think that when they see the sun its sunrise..Maybe the kids that are watching in classrooms and that would be a great thing to teach the children.
viewers not views..and I would love to help out in cost of this wonderful site..would write a check out this minute to help..
I like watching this nest now. I didn’t used to because of all the bad things that happened & it seemed to be a continuing theme this year. But now, every day I come here & see how much #3 has grown bigger & healthier, it gives me more and more hope. Hope is a lovely thing. I come here just to get a big dose of hope. 🙂
Jillian-I also watched the drama unfold last year with PeeWee. Although there are no guarantees for #3, there are some significant differences between this year and last. There is plenty of food supply in the nest this year, which has kept bonking and fighting for food to a minimum. This may be a result of a better fish supply in the nearby waters, or George being a better hunter, or a combination of both.
Nice. Me too
I can’t say I remember any babies last year falling into food comas or walking away from food they are so full. Very different year.
17:49 dinner time and no one is awake
Betsy can u re-post the link to Eggs to Flight..i have it on my favorites..it is something all new comers should see..it really explains the growth of these wonderful raptors.
Reply – Redkayak I like your sense of humor !
Also didn’t know Gracie ate them afterwords wish I could’ve seen that so no more eyeballs in the nest. I was just getting used to them staring up at me. I’m glad you’re with this again by the way.
Redkayak commented on Osprey Zone – Live Osprey Cam – North Fork, Long Island, New York.
in response to Rjoneal:
6-21-16 11
It was a blind fish for sure. Yup and bambino #3 fell asleep next to the eyeballs. Later Gracie ate them
Rjoneal: I didn’t see her eat the eyes, but I saw her choking down something with great difficulty (just before the intruder) and I was getting gaggy!! Took me years to be able to clean up a cat’s hairball without gagging … I would have to close my eyes when I did!!
🙂
Reply-GinaM I know at first it made me a nervous wreck now I just have to sit back and relax this family does love the edge of the nest no doubt about it. I too love the way the babies are starting to mimic mom and dad. I also love watching them stretch their little wings out and baby number one has been really flapping his wings about lately.
GinaM A happy family… with babies who live waaaaaaay too close to the edge of the nest!
6-21-16 pm Reply-Zina
You know you’re watching ospreys not chickens right ? Lol
Zina-Gracie called for some time, George does, chickens are constantly in the sun
You are AWESOME Leanne!! Thank YOU! Smiles
Could it be that the “intruders” are last years grown chicks? Would the parents recognize them if they were?
maryann: I had wondered the same thing back in April. Here’s my original post: “Betsy April 23, 2016 at 9:13 pm There’s a great post on Chesapeake Conservancy that has some info related to this topic: “…Dr. Spitzer said it is possible that the mysterious stranger is a returned young from a previous year, since this is the current Audrey’s seventh season with us. According to Dr. Spitzer, we know very little about that possibility because there have not been enough banding studies conducted to be sure. He speculated that because Audrey has been tolerating the visitor so well, a returned offspring could be here….” https://ospreycamerablog.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/a-real-head-scratcher/”
But I read somewhere just recently … or maybe it was on the explore.com chat with Dr Bierregaard … well, anyway, that because the parents would have last seen the chicks with their juvenile feathers, it would be unlikely that if there is recognition that it would be based on sight, but that maybe their “voices” would be familiar to a parent … but no one knows if they do or if they don’t recognize each other.
From what I’ve learned from some of the others that know a lot about the habits of ospreys, probably not. Last years chicks are most likely still at the winter site. They usually do not fly back to the area they were hatched in until year 2 or 3. And most of the time they come to within an area within 100 miles of their nest, but not directly to that area. Betsy and some of you others, correct me if I misstated anything.
Leesa: That’s right, the chicks from last year won’t back until most likely June 2017 or in 2018. I had been wondering back in April if Gracie had had a mate before George and the intruder that had landed on the nest one time was a prior chick of hers returned at 2 or 3 years old since Gracie hadn’t gone totally ballistic when it landed on the nest. In the chat with Dr Bierregaard he stated that the males usually come back to within 15 miles of where they hatched and the females return farther away than that from where they hatched. BTW, I would LOVE to have seen George as a chick!!! 😀
Love chick #3 especially after last year. I will continue to hope all 3 will fledge the nest successfully.
Does anyone know if it hurts them when their feathers start to grow in?
Is it like a baby teething?
Maryann – I think its more itchy than painful. I know that once the down is disappearing and the feathers start sprouting, this is when they start to preen themselves, scratching all the way with their beaks until the feathers mature.
LynD: I think so, too!
This is unbelievable if I didn’t see it with my own eyes….3:14pm, Gracie just swallowed an entire bone skeleton of the fish; its head and half its body gone and it’s still flapping, can someone explain this????
WendyC: I saw that, too … I have no idea how or why it was still flapping!!
you should see when she woofs down the entire tale of a fish…you think she is going to chock..
june c: And George, too!! And, sometimes they have a ton of trouble and so they try again … start to swallow, it’s almost down, bring it back up, try again, still no good, and again, not quite, bring it back up, and then finally gulp!!
That’s amazing. I wasn’t sure if they ate that because “someone” I won’t name names, dropped a full skeleton in my yard two weeks ago
RonS: I love your phrase “sibling stack.”
Well that’s your opinion and you’re more than welcome to it. But probably the majority of us just love the little one and hope that the guy/gal makes it this year. Nature will take its course, one way or another.
Gracie called for some time, George does, chickens are constantly in the sun.
I love how “Pete” and “Repete” have their feathers growing in and they are preening like they see their mom do. They also don’t seem to be bothered by “Threepete.” A happy family… with babies who live waaaaaaay too close to the edge of the nest!
It’s so hot, I bet they are hoping the magic spray cools them off again.
*these are just my little nicknames for the babies until they are officially named.
Have to laugh at your names Gina, my dwarf hamster brothers were called Pete & Repete…& then you continue with Threepete ….cute.
OZ Followers LETS NOT FALL FOR IT AGAIN!!
Now we have someone named Mike posting negative comments please none of us respond to him let’s all just ignore any negative comments and he will go away if you don’t give any attention. That’s what these people are looking for to get you upset so please don’t respond to him ignore him.
George brought a whole fish to the nest at 10:43 am. He immediately ripped into the fish and then began feeding the littlest chick. Chick #1 made its way over and George began feeding it, too. (Chick #2 was over in the right back corner, doing who knows what!) George got to an eyeball and ripped it out (I did, this time, feel bad for the fish … it gave a huge twitch of pain!) He gave it to chick #3, who then spit it out — ptooey. Chick #1 poked at the eyeball, and then decided “yuck”!! Shortly afterward chick #1 was finished and moved away. George continued feeding chick #3 and when he gave it the second eyeball, the little guy spit that out, too, “ick”. (Let’s get Mikey!!) Mealtime was interrupted when an intruder came around and George left, still holding the fish with his foot (he had tried to release it, but couldn’t). Do you know, George came back, still holding the fish, at 11:49 am. In the meantime, the intruder landed on the nest at 10:55 am and Gracie shooed it away!
https://youtu.be/M4ircRvYPaA
This is Gracie chasing away the intruder which had landed on the nest.
https://youtu.be/kUVCUTeO_os
WOW! What a fantastic innovation. Tommy should patent and sell that thing.
Gracie was feeding the chicks when George flew to the nest with seaweed. She wasn’t done and George, both waiter and busboy, tried to take the fish to leave with it!!
https://youtu.be/_psz_1JyRo4
I got a look at the little ones feet and I don’t see any deformities at all. And as for this year, what a difference from last year between babies. Even though the baby is smaller than the other two, which makes perfect sense being born last, this one is much, much different mentally wise. More spunk, determined to get to the front of the line. I feel that this year, baring something unforeseen happening, that we are going to have a trio of babies! Mom and Dad are also much better….more mature, etc.
This is my second year following these amazing animals. I check on them every day as if they were part of my family. I am grateful for this website and hope it continues so that many people can experience how interesting these marvelous birds are.
6-21-16 12:21 pm
Reply-Betsy
I saw your lens cleaning video on your YouTube channel … loved the way you did it. The words the slow-motion the baby rolling all were excellent, Why didn’t you post it on OZ?” Can you put it on Os to Leanne has hers on there ?? More the merrier!
DID anybodys ee weebles stuck upside down for 10 minutes on Sunday ?? Poor weebles, BUT Gracie sat on him so he could right himself. I’m a big fan of Weebles..aka….#3
6-21-16 11:55am
Attention everyone -June C – tells me at 10:50:28 baby spit out eyeball of fish. I must say in all my years of watching ospreys I’ve never seen a parent try to feed the baby and eyeball before luckly baby 3 new this was not good for him and spit it out 2 eye balls laying in the nest staring right at me. Now that’s a site I haven’t seen before. Thank you Osprey zone !
And we had a male intruder land on the nest, Gracie chases him away looks like our same male intruder.
A lot going on today In the nest.
Someone asked what kind of fish that was I do believe it is a flounder.
It was a blind fish for sure. Yup and bambino #3 fell asleep next to the eyeballs. Later Gracie ate them
I think he said, “Eww Mom, that is gross!” when he spit it out… 🙂
That particular fish whose eyeballs were in the nest wasn’t a flounder or a fluke, they are flat and their eyes are on only one side of them.. That poor fish looked like a bluefish or a bunker….
Hi Everyone,
I’ve quietly been addicted to this site since the beginning and have only posted a few times, however it seems to me that Chick #3 appears healthier and more robust than the little guy we lost last year. I was wondering if anyone else holds the same opinion? Thank you for maintaining the site Paul and Tommy and thanks for all the comments I get such a kick out of!
Hi Wendy,
The 3rd chick last year got off to a very poor start. Lack of food and sibling rivalry doesn’t seem to present any trouble this year. It seems very likely we’ll be watching 3 chicks all summer!
Hi NancyT and for all other newcomers. Welcome to OspreyZone. I made a video on how to tell George and Gracie apart – see page 33 (June 7, 2016 at 3:43 pm comment) “How to Tell George and Gracie Apart” http://ospreyzone.com/comment-page-33/#comment-17261
Fantastic!! Many thanks to Tommy for the designing & installation of the irrigation system cleaning of the nest & cam! Although i did miss it being done on video lol i am ecstatic, what a wonderful surprise! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! 🙂
Boy George sure took off after an intruder near the nest! (10:45am or so….) Good job Dad!
10:50 or so a successful feeding for #3. This kids finds himself in the right place at the right time. Then an intruder overhead and mom takes off with the fish leaving the eyeballs behind and #3 falls asleep next to the two eyeballs!
11:04 awake again and #3 is chowing
10:44 am complete fish brought to the nest.. By 10:50 am both eyes were dropped by chick #3.
It’s interesting to observe and compare to last year the behavior we see this year relative to treatment of the little one. Compared to last year, the older chicks seem less interested in beating up the little one. Is it because of more plentiful food? Is it because the younger chick has a stronger survival instinct and fights back a bit? The older chicks do bout from time to time – perhaps they have not yet seen the little one as a competitor. As we all root for the little one, and admire his spunk, I’m interested in hearing from other OZ-ers as to thoughts on this topic.
I think it is mainly a food issue. I have also noticed Gracie stepping in to separate the little guy if he is in a wing lock by a Biggie. Between the plentiful food and a more experienced set of parents, little guy is in better shape. I don’t want to jinx a good situation, but I’m fairly sure the kumbaya feel good would change if food situation changed. Hoping for continued good fishing.
Jim, same parents , same genes, but who knows. I guess it’s how the genes are made up if you will? I’m just happy to see such better behavior this year. last year was brutal at times and many tears shed. We get so attached to these animals/birds. It’s hard sometimes not to put the human traits with them. I watch the Eagle nest in Ft. Myers FL and this year was hard with the young one E8, but we are hoping he gets better now that he is at C.R.O.W. rehab. We are priviledged to view and see these wild creatures in all their glory.
Kathy
10:59 EST. Around 10:50 George brought in a large flapping fish and started to feed one of the big chicks and the little one. Twice he gave a fish eye to the little one who spit it out. The two eyes were laying in the nest staring at the camera. The larger chick actually backed off and the little one had a dedicated feeding until an intruder flew over and George took off with the fish. The little guy fell asleep and Gracie came over to clean up some of the pieces that were dropped.
correction on my post George feeding not Gracie…
10:50:26 Gracie feeding little one and gives him the eye of fish..he spits it out ..funny is 10:52 little one has eyeballs right next to him by his head
I call little bit WEEBLES!
I have been looking very carefully and comparing, and I don’t see where “Threepete” (my nickname for chick #3) has any deformity. I must admit he does seem to flip over a lot, but, as someone who is less than coordinated myself- I am not throwing stones 🙂
I looked back at his brothers when they were that little and they seem to be the same. Am I missing something??
For whomever asked what was that flat fish they were eating last night- that was a flounder.
I saw a man in the hardware store over the weekend buying tape to fix his fishing net. I said to him, “I know a better fisherman than you.” He said, “Who?” I answered, “ANY of the ospreys over the bay right now.” And he said, “I know! They are stealing all of the fish this year!!”
It’s going to be 90 today. Mombrella in open position please!
Someone needs to screen shot at around 10:50am the two eye balls from the fish next to chick # 3. Then Mom disposes of the eyes at 1053am. Ah, nature at its finest. this is better than any reality show on TV or cable.
Around 10:50am as birds are tearing a poor fish apart in ghastly fashion, suddenly both Gracie and George go into high alarm mode, George takes off with fish as chicks play dead. Has anyone seen the “intruder” lately, and is it some other predator that might steal a chick?
George brings in another headless fish and leaves. Gracie is feeding baby chick and an intruder lands int he nest and she scares him away. Good going, Gracie!
yikes 10:51 intruder overhead and then #3 falls asleep right next to fish eyeballs!
10:50 #3 eating like a champ.
Paul, I want to apologize for mentioning you as “John” in my post last night at 11:15 p.m. I certainly know that the tag team is Paul and Tommy. I was just soooo tired from an entire day of watching my dear grandson. Many, many thanks again to both of you for giving us OZ. None of this would be possible without the two of you. The dedication of both of you is amazing and dearly appreciated. I couldn’t believe that irrigation system. Tommy, thanks for an awesome to last year’s spritzing problem. Have a great day!!
Heavy rainstorms and possibly thunder were predicted for this morning. Gracie does look a little rainsoaked. George brought in a headless fish around 7:00 a.m., and Peanut got a real good feeding from Gracie around 7:05 a.m. All three were hungry, and one of the bigger ones fell asleep on the little one, squashing him. He had to support the weight of his sibling, while trying to eat. But, he managed. After cleaning up the scraps, Mommy and babies took a nap. The woke up at 8:04 to finish the fish, and George returned for some of it, too, along with bringing more fencing to the nest. Supposed to be a very warm day today. The baby’s feet look okay to me, but I’m not an osprey expert. Hope all is A-OK.
Poor George gets mobbed by crows
https://youtu.be/s_-lchc64ls
“When a predator is discovered, the birds start to emit alarm calls and fly at the predator, diverting its attention and harassing it. Sometimes they make physical contact. Mobbing usually starts with just one or two birds, but may attract a large number of birds, often of many species. For example, a chorus of different alarm calls coming from the same tree is often a good sign of a roosting owl or a cat.
Mobbing behaviour has been recorded in a wide range of species, but it is particularly well developed in gulls and terns, while crows are amongst the most frequent mobbers.” http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/funfactsandarticles/watchingbirds/behaviour/mobbing.aspx
Maybe it’s just me, but the crows look ENORMOUS this year and the tress in the area are full of them.
Redkayak: So THAT explains why I don’t see a lot of crows where I am in Nassau … they’re all out in Suffolk!! 😀
How old are you?
Chick #1 is now 18 days old, chick #2 is 16 days old and chick #3 is 13 days old. Not so easy anymore for Gracie to “sit” on them!! … But, good mama that she is, she still tries!!
https://youtu.be/LFCUVRzhC0k
8:03amEDT Gracie is handing out the leftover fish..Biggie#2? eating while Biggie#1? holds back Trey. Double shots from them;one just missed Gracie and one went to left of camera.
8:08 Gracie feeding #1? when George flies in with seaweed. He asks for fish tail and Gracie hands(foots) it over, then plays tug of war. George has it briefly, then Gracie takes back, feeding the chicks again. George’s handsome back is the view. When he moves, I see Biggies getting fed and Trey getting corralled. There wasn’t much fish left, but I have to get going. Hope fishing is good and Trey gets fed. HAGD, everyone!
in one second lighting hits water 5:36:33 at 5:36:34 light flash..
june c: That was a great screenshot!!
Bostonwatcher: Thanks re your comment of June 19th: “Very interesting how you can hear the chicks’ cries much clearer in slow motion.” I thought about making the video with no sound because Gracie’s voice, also heard, can sometimes be, without it being slowed down, beyond screeching !! 😀
Mike and Tucker: Thank you, Mike for posting about the full moon and the summer solstice occurring on the same day and Tucker, thank you for recommending that we watch the moonrise. I went down to the beach last evening to watch the moon rise. At first, I felt disappointed, because 8:32 pm came and went and there was no moon (and I was facing the right direction!). But then, slowly a light circle showed in the clouds on the horizon. And as the moon rose, the circle of light became brighter until gradually the moon appeared, peach at first before turning into orange-red and looking as if it was lit from within. It was stunning!
5:36:34 you can see the lighting hit the water..
6:47am Start of good feeding session. Geo arrives wih breakfast. 1 and 2 getting fed equally by Gra with 3 being sat on (still asleep ?). Geo flies off.
7:01am Geo returns with a bit of seaweed to dress the place up.He sees the the feeding is going well and flies off.
7:04am With 1 and 2 sated, 3 finally gets out from under the Sibling Stack and gets fed.
7:15 am Session ends with no sibling hostilites.
7:00amEDT Did you see the large bird in background being chased by smaller birds? I think that was George delivering reeds, as he landed a minute later. Some other parents protecting their nest, no doubt. A bit later, breakfast was interrupted by another shower and the chicks gathered under Gracie. Trey did get some breakfast but the Biggies kept him shut out till for a while.
OK..till for a while is changing thoughts in the middle of typing but you get the drift
Saturday early evening there were 4 ospreys circling just east of the nest and one was being chased around by an extra large crow
CarolV: They were crows!! I made a post and a video … they’re just not up yet, I guess … but you can catch it on my YouTube channel!! 😀
7:05 am after a loud thunderstorm, they 3 chicks are being fed by Gracie.
6:51am GAMMA CAROLYN…I have the same issue with the comments. I had been receiving them previously. Betsy suggested I check that I hadn’t inadvertently blocked them somehow, but I can’t find where I might have done it. I need to check with someone more tech savvy than I am. And I’m a CarolYN too. Proud to share the name with you
Happy days are here again!! The camera lens, after getting blasted by chick #2 on Sunday, June 19th, was cleaned … by magic!! (Straightforward version).
https://youtu.be/74UTBWRbfE0
Well 6-21-16 6:08am and it’s raining at the nest,here is the rain we all were asking for now we want it to go away. Poor Gracie looks miserable trying to keep all three babies covered and tucked in under her. There is a lot of noise the babies are being very vocal this rainy morning.
Rjoneal: Well, you know how that works … you get the car washed and THEN IT RAINS!! 😀
Reply-Betsy I notice you are a different Betsy that has been on since the end of last year also our other Betsy makes a lot of videos and post website information on topics,comments are little long but informative and she likes to use humor along with Carol when posting comments.
Is it possible you could use an initial so we can tell the two of you apart ?
This is going to get a little confusing having to Betsys !
Were you with this last year,are you new ?
Betsy June 20, 2016 at 3:03 pm –
It is hot here on L I today how about for thoes of you that do not live here?
5:33amEDT Storm has moved to the South Fork and THUNDER just scared the crap out of me…No lenses were harmed in the process…..JK…interesting watching our storm in the background behind George…he came in a bit ago to stand guard…
6:44am And we’re done…rain has stopped, clouds are clearing, birds are singing…..And BREAKFAST has arrived !!!! Big fish–excited chicks, with Trey lying low for now…onward with an osprey day……
4:22am 6/21 Batten down the chicks! Rapid fire lightning….can barely hear thunder at my house, must be out over the sound….Be safe,little family…..
4:29 there’s the rain…by them anyway..still dry here.Sounds like it’s working its way over…thunder getting louder.
I haven’t been able to tune in all day today, and so I missed the nest cleaning. I saw last night it was down, and what a nice surprise to see a totally clean screen. Tommy and Joe, you both are amazing!! You have given so much to all of us. I cannot imagine the number of fans from all over the world, not just the USA. Your website is the BEST!! I’m fortunate enough to live on Long Island, and feel a special attachment to George and Gracie. Can’t thank you both enough for what you have done for all of us ospreyites. Many, many thanks (as I’ve said in the past). I wish some of the negativity would stop; there was none last year. Everyone should appreciate this beautiful glimpse into nature, which is provided by two wonderful men. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
Marlene: Here you go:
Reply-Patty K Glad you and your family are enjoying Osprey zone welcome back. We had a couple of teachers watching it live in their classroom You mention the children – grandchildren are watching please review comments and show them the videos some of our devoted ospreys zone followers have made. Love that you’re getting the whole family involved. Indeed amazing the babies crops,our babies last year never even had a crop or at least you couldn’t see one because it never had food in it.
Patty K 5:38 pm Goodness, just look at those babys’crops!! Not at all like last year….fish seem plentiful so far,
Reply-Kathy I live in Jacksonville. Fort Myers is real close just a little bit of a drive and yes I watch the Eagles too. We have alot of ospreys in Jacksonville. I have an osprey nest in my backyard on the lake. And as I’ve said in the past the Shopping Center, Publix grocery store has an osprey nest on the light fixture in the parking lot.
But there’s nothing better than watching it on Osprey zone. Yes occasionally I will see the Osprey with the fish from the lake but I can’t rewind it like I can on Osprey zone. Yes it’s nice to hear them in person while I’m sitting on my back porch but sometimes they’re so high in the sky you can barely see them only hear them. We have lots of Eagles,hawks ,seagulls,that come and visit me daily almost any kind of bird you can think of egrets line up on my roof of my house sometimes and in my weeping willow trees. This is because I live so close to the Alantic coast ocean and real close to the St.Johns River this allows alot of many species of birds since they have the salt water fish and freshwater fish.
You say you would like to come visit let me remind you last week are low was 102 degrees are high was 107 degrees usually isn’t this hot till July or August still want to come visit ? I was born in Nebraska but frequent NJ and Washington, lived and survived a tornado and a blizzard and couldn’t wait to move to Florida. Yes we have hurricanes and occasional tornados but nothing like Midwest. I get cold if temp gets under 70 degrees.
RJ, where in FL? Do you watch the eagles in Ft. Myers? I would love to visit that nest. I’m here in MI. Kathy
I’d love to come see the nest earlier in the year when it is nesting season and not so hot. I’m still following our precious E8 and hoping he makes a full recovery. We have some osprey nests here. One in Big Rapids about an hour from here at Ferris State University…has a cam. Stay cool !
6-20-16 for all new viewers
Please I have posted this a couple of times in different ways. Still we are getting comments wanting to know info. I know you may be new to the site take advantage and click on all different titles including the Osprey specialist comments that Paul. landlords and Aiden, along with others who have created this site.
Someone also asked about telling the difference between George and Gracie. You will find under comments that Betsy made a wonderful video for All New viewers to look at. Also if you take time and go back on previous comments you will see lots of videos.lots of websites with information links to websites.
There is a very long list on how to tell the difference between George and Gracie that has been posted under comments as well.
But if you are new as a general rule the first thing is the female is always bigger than the male. Gracies feathers are different than George’s. George and Gracie both have different markings.
Don’t mean to sound mean but so many people from the beginning have worked hard to put together this info specifically for this reason.
Last year when the site opened we did not have access to all this info and videos so please it’s a privilege enjoy it. I know it takes time to review but you will learn so much from it. Also if you’re interested in comments several of us have mentioned Osprey books that have been read or have been recommend to be read.
Welcome to our Osprey Zone Family we really are glad to have you learn and experience raw nature live as it happens with us.
Just a warning nature can sometimes be brutal and is not for everyone.
10:26pm Leanne..just saw your video of little guy..another somersault? At least he went clean over this time! He looks fine to me too. Having those big strapping sibs for constant comparison is not good for his ego! I think he makes up in attitude !!!!! I think he’s more vocal, too. Stuck on his back, struggling, made those wings look even more insignificant.
My son has similar sleep issues…can sleep in day, not so well at night. He’s been putting in long days working on a commercial fishing boat..(I’m eating almost as much fish as the G’s) and, not surprisingly, he is sleeping much better. Not a fix for everyone! And not a permanent one, either….
Reply-June B Agree!!
June 20, 2016 at 6:30 pm
I’ll take boring thank you.
Reply-Gina M you guessed it . It was Tommy’s invention way to go Gina Tommy made an invention. I wonder if you wants to come do my new well that we’ve been working on here in Florida. Perfect song choice.
GinaM June 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm –
BRAVO!!! What a great idea- invention- whatever the heck it was!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE SHOWER!!!
I can see clearly now the poop is gone…..
Reply-Leanne thanks for making the video of baby three I hope my comment didn’t sound too mean. I don’t see anything wrong and it looks like others have the same point of you. I’ve been watching these ospreys for several years so until we see some evidence of birth defects number three is just fine.
I totally agree with you Leanne – I am extremely happy that fighting this year is not like last year. Yes I know this is nature – but after watching PeeWee’s horrible demise last year I was sick for days. I’ll take a peaceful nest anytime!!
Reply-Paul & Tommy
6-20-16 pm we’ll don’t you guys just feel like Santa Claus. How wonderful to know that your invention worked. Thank you so much Tommy and Paul for keeping the secret. It was just like Christmas morning (when all the sudden you open your eyes and to our surprise we did see !!)
Maybe this was a test to see who are your devoted followers !!
I hope most of us passed. There are a lot of videos on YouTube right now Paul.
You sneaky sneaky men thanks for the surprise keep up the good work we love our family at Osprey zone.
Thank you Tommy for designing and installing the irrigation system to clean the camera lens!! I guess this would make you the Wizard of OZ (Osprey Zone), the man behind the cleaning of the “Squirt Curtain”! lol This sight is such a blessing to so many of us! Thank you to everyone who makes this sight possible. ♥
Thank you Tommy, Paul, et al. What a wonderful surprise to be able to watch the camera lens being cleaned. What a genius idea to put what looks like a sprinkler head spraying water. Thank you again for all that you and your group do, so that we can observe and learn.
8:30…everyone was fed well.
George brought in a nice size flounder @ 7:05 EST. It seems each time he has one he struggles to tear it apart. I know catfish skin is tough but didn’t realize flounder was. He needs to turn it over and get the softer side.Everyone gets fed!
7:04pm Looks like a big ole flounder to me..George briefly feeds Gracie before she takes over. Trey was right in front of Gra(and the fish) and eating chunks like the big kids!
7:29pm Bruiser had Trey in a headlock and the chicklet was peeping and struggling. Gracie pushed in and moved big guy aside, so Trey scurried under her. George came in behind her and took the rug-uh, fish, out of the nest. The chicks look well fed( I still haven’t gotten thru the comments):their crops couldn’t stretch any more!! When Trey was stuck yesterday, he looked like a Macy balloon! A ping pong ball with a sausage neck! But still adorable ! It’s so good to see how well they’re doing. Love it!
LEANNE..Thanks for the lens cleaning video..Gracie’s reaction was priceless !
I just want to say, I’ve been to other sites, and while there may be this or that feature that is nice, in total, this is the best site. I’ve probably said it before. WE, far and away,have the best view, a million dollar view. Having the camera where it is gets us close to the birds, eye-to-eye sometimes.And night-vision might be interesting, but what do we miss? What we WOULD miss are the beautiful moonrises, like the one we will Maybe see tonight(possible showers). Welcome to summer, everyone.