Oh my, everyone must be busy tonight - I know I've been. Only getting green screen right now - ???
Tiger: I suppose you could say that Odin is forcing them to learn how to fish by not giving them any!
I've always had a healthy scepticism about this "Dad showing the chicks how to fish" thing. At places where the adults often catch fish within sight of the nest, LotL and Manton Bay at RW immediately spring to mind, it is possible the youngsters can watch the parents fishing. However, we know that at LG all the good fishing spots are well away from the nest so the juveniles would have to follow them on a fishing mission to learn anything.
I've always assumed that all ospreys must be born with the instinct to catch fish, what about birds that have been removed for translocation purposes - they never had the opportunity to observe adults fishing before they were whisked away to another location and had to eventually fend for themselves.
I am hopeless at ID'ing but judging by the chick's reaction, I would have said that was an intruder. Normally they do the "fish walk" if Odin is landing, not mantling.
Alicat, sorry, they must mean someone else.
Sandy I thoroughly agree with you. I have seen it stated somewhere that some osprey chicks have been known to catch a fish within three days of leaving the nest. I cannot verify this but I have seen it stated.
Also translocations would never work if the chicks had to be taught to fish. Thus the whole Rutland Water and Populations would not exist in addition to quite a few others.
I am really pleased that they have kept the camera on as there is still lots to be learned.
Tiger Signature
I suppose lots of things in life wouldn't work out if there weren't these innate abilities. Even so, there must be many juveniles who fail and starve. I suppose that is one way of keeping the gene pool strong.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
ChloeB said: I suppose lots of things in life wouldn't work out if there weren't these innate abilities. Even so, there must be many juveniles who fail and starve. I suppose that is one way of keeping the gene pool strong.
Well Moray one of Logie's chicks in 2008 was almost certainly such a bird!. He was found dead on the Isle of Lewis. See http://www.roydennis.org/osprey/index.asp?id=115&sid=87
Yes that was a sad story Tiger. The weather turned nasty for that poor youngster.
It has gone eerily quiet. I wonder if our two have gone fishing?
Hark! As soon as I type that, what do I hear....fish chirps?
One poor shrieking chick on the nest ... looks like an intruder shriek because he's mantling!
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Danger passed and he's gone to shriek elsewhere ... empty nest again.
Thanks for all the reports and pictures since I was last on line. I must admit that it crossed my mind that EJ's two fish yesterday may be her Goodbye, but I hope she has found good shelter as the rain and gales forecast for tonight across all of the South sounds horrendous.