Our three chicks are still very much dependant on mum and dad for food, despite their growing confidence in their flying skills. Dad, and less often mum, have continued to bring fish to the nest for the youngsters although they are not always all present when it arrives!
In contrast to their earlier good manners at feeding times ( when mum deliberately fed them each in turn to prevent squabbling) it now seems to be a bit of a free for all!
Dad delivered a fish today and the quickest chick got to it first, greedily feeding itself and steadfastly refused to share it with its younger brother. The poor hungry wee chap desperately circled and tried to scrounge some fish. He raised quite a hue and cry squawking and complaining , perhaps hoping a parent would hear him and take pity on him- but all to no avail.
It now seems to be more like every chicks for itself! hard days ahead for our youngsters as they learn the hard facts of survival.
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Surprising Independence
Our three Osprey chicks are showing themselves to be surprisingly independent this week. It seems they were quiet slow in fledging, a little reluctant to start flying ( perhaps because the weather was so awful) but now them seem to be making up for lost time.
All three chicks have been spending considerable time away from the nest, and taking flights around the valley. In fact they are spending more time off the nest the last few days then we would normally expect at this stage- perhaps the very hot weather we've been having is making the nest a bit uncomfortable and they've been sheltering in nearby trees were it is a bit shadier. They certainly seem to appear quickly whenever food is delivered by an adult to the nest- they seem to come from nowhere in an instant like typical teenagers!
There is still plenty to see in the centres though with all the birds making regular appearances and great highlights of the season so far now on DVD too.
All three chicks have been spending considerable time away from the nest, and taking flights around the valley. In fact they are spending more time off the nest the last few days then we would normally expect at this stage- perhaps the very hot weather we've been having is making the nest a bit uncomfortable and they've been sheltering in nearby trees were it is a bit shadier. They certainly seem to appear quickly whenever food is delivered by an adult to the nest- they seem to come from nowhere in an instant like typical teenagers!
There is still plenty to see in the centres though with all the birds making regular appearances and great highlights of the season so far now on DVD too.
Thursday, 24 July 2008
SHOCK DNA RESULTS
Viewers of our main osprey nest will be as surprised as we were with the results of our chicks DNA results just in. During their health examination on ringing day a tiny blood sample was taken from each young chick to help screen for illness and to determine the gender of the birds. This is necessary because there are no real external difference between males and females- and the subtle differences in plumage can be very subjective and not clear until they are older. Since females in this species are always larger than males , and can have proportionally bigger legs, we often use this to estimate the sex of the birds during ringing. We used this technique on July 1st, and thought the largest two chicks were female.
Surprise, surprise, it turns out ALL THREE OF OUR CHICKS ARE MALE! We have only been using this technique for a few years, and it looks like it will turn up a few surprises.
So 2008 is the year of three wee boys- you can always guarantee a surprise with ospreys!
Surprise, surprise, it turns out ALL THREE OF OUR CHICKS ARE MALE! We have only been using this technique for a few years, and it looks like it will turn up a few surprises.
So 2008 is the year of three wee boys- you can always guarantee a surprise with ospreys!
The Week Has Flown Past
My apologies for the delay in posting this week- its been a busy one! All three of our chicks have fledged this week and there has been plenty of action on the nest. Our oldest chick fledged a week ago today, and is strong and confidently flying now. The second chick flew on Sunday afternoon- 4pm seems to be the fashionable time for a young chick to lift off! The smallest chick flew on Tuesday to the great cheers of those watching.
The scariest and funniest moments have undoubtedly been landings - on Monday for example, the second chick landed literally on top of his brother, who had flattened himself to try to get out of the way- very undignified!
All three chicks are still spending most of their time on the nest however, with fish being brought in most days by mum and dad. Dad especially has taken to delivering fish and dumping them in the nest for the chicks to feed themselves. When mum appeared yesterday with a fish however, they lined up to beg like babies for her to feed them despite now being more than capable of shredding the fish themselves. Talk about spoilt!
The scariest and funniest moments have undoubtedly been landings - on Monday for example, the second chick landed literally on top of his brother, who had flattened himself to try to get out of the way- very undignified!
All three chicks are still spending most of their time on the nest however, with fish being brought in most days by mum and dad. Dad especially has taken to delivering fish and dumping them in the nest for the chicks to feed themselves. When mum appeared yesterday with a fish however, they lined up to beg like babies for her to feed them despite now being more than capable of shredding the fish themselves. Talk about spoilt!
Friday, 18 July 2008
We Have First Lift off!
Late yesterday afternoon our oldest and strongest chick, a female, took the huge step of her first flight! After flying across the nest several times during the day, she finally took off from the nest at 4.05pm heading off down the valley.
We anxiously awaited her return but she hadn't made it back by 6pm when our cameras shut down for the night. So of course I came in early this morning to see if she's made it safely back- only to find only two chicks on the nest- my heart lurched! Luckily within the first hour she reappeared- obviously confident enough to take another short flight this morning.
Neither of her two nest mates looks so keen to follow suit but it's likely they will in the next few days- hopefully as successfully as their sister.
We anxiously awaited her return but she hadn't made it back by 6pm when our cameras shut down for the night. So of course I came in early this morning to see if she's made it safely back- only to find only two chicks on the nest- my heart lurched! Luckily within the first hour she reappeared- obviously confident enough to take another short flight this morning.
Neither of her two nest mates looks so keen to follow suit but it's likely they will in the next few days- hopefully as successfully as their sister.
Thursday, 17 July 2008
Almost Off!
Here in the centres it is getting nail biting! The chicks are big, strong, and bold, but none has yet taken that brave final step off the nest. The largest female chick has certainly been close to it and at least two of the chicks have managed airborne hops across the width of the nest- at least six feet- but until they actually leave the nest it doesn't count as full fledging. Yesterday a crowd of visitors was teased by the largest female chick, as she danced on the edge of the nest tantalisingly several times- to a chorus of GO GO GO ! YOU CAN DO IT! from the crowd. Maybe today? We'll keep you posted
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Webcam back online!
At last - images from the nest are available online again. Sorry this has taken a while. The webcam is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-68KM8A. Or go to the Tweed Valley Ospreys homepage and click on 'live images of the nest'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)