https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Belwood-Lake-OspreyCam.aspx?_mid_=515
There's a nest in Ontario, Canada, west of Toronto that lost its female June 18. The male has stepped up to care for the 2 chicks (16 and 14 days old) by himself. Belwood Lake and Grand River - assuming those are his fishing grounds - look to be practically on the doorstep of the nest.
So far, so good...obviously a very fragile situation, but is it unheard of for a single parent to raise chicks from this stage to fledging?
Intruder certainly seemed to want the fish.
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IMHO...I don't think the intruder is female - too streamlined a body. However, its late arrival suggests to me a sibling from past seasons returning to its home nest looking for mum and fish, a bit befuddled at seeing the chicks. Has that "young" look in its eyes, or it's true I could be projecting!
Imagicat || Tiger's links || 2022 LG Obs
Intruders on the nest several times today. It's concerning that their presence has disrupted Luther's ability to fish and feed the chicks as often as he usually does. I hope things settle down, and quickly.
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P.S. The evening was better, with no uninvited visitors and 3 additional fish for a total of 7.
Thanks Pandy for your update, it was worrying that these intruders were on and off the nest all yesterday. That is a great number of fish, so at least we know the chicks have been well fed.
They are in their usual night time mode at the moment, snuggled up, sleeping, and getting bigger by the day.
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Chicks have just finished a feed but I came in at the end of it and it seemed small. The smaller chick appeared to be still hungry. Dad has flown off.
First feed of the day at 6:30am, interspersed with some alarm calling. What will the rest of the day bring?
Tempo said: Chicks have just finished a feed but I came in at the end of it and it seemed small. The smaller chick appeared to be still hungry. Dad has flown off.
I think that first feed was a leftover. A fresh whopper was deliverd just before 7:00am. :)
Chick #1 not allowing chick #2 to get any fish.
Chick #2 getting some now that greedy is full.
the larger chick is now eating something on the nest - not quite sure what it is.
Two osplets at the top of the nest, panting a bit. Weather is around 21 degrees hard to tell if the sun is continually shining on them or not.
(c) Belwood Lake Conservation area