Link to July 2023 - here
RECAP
FLORA HK0 arrived 30 March 2023
HARRY (unringed) arrived 4 April 2023
EGG No.1 laid 15 April - Hatched 21 May (37 days) Fledged 9 July aged 49 days
EGG No. 2 laid 18 April - Hatched 23 May (36 days) Fledged 14 July aged 52 days
EGG No. 3 laid 21 April - Hatched 25 May (35 days) Fledged 20 July aged 56 days
Due to the height of this nest, no ringing of the chicks takes place.
This has been a dramatic month with chick #1 getting a thin piece of plastic wrapped around its ankle for a few days, (Flora has a love of bringing plastic to the nest) chick #2 turning out to be quite aggressive, especially to chick #3 and chick #3 not getting much to eat on a lot of days. However, the three chicks are still here and seem to be doing okay. The fish brought to the nest can be sporadic and mostly small but each juvenile usually manages to get something to eat. #3 is getting more confident in snatching the fish as they arrive. We’ve had a couple of scares with Flora twice tumbling off the side of the nest with a juvenile but luckily no harm done. Flora wasn’t seen for 3 days (24-26 July) but is thankfully back and providing for the nest.
#1 has been taking fish off the nest to eat since 17 July (58 days old) so I am expecting this juvenile to be the first to begin migration but who knows! It’s still a few weeks away so hopefully the fish supply will include a few big ones to fatten these young ospreys up for their long journeys ahead.
Today, 1 August, the juveniles are 72, 70 and 68 days old.
The family at the beginning of the month
and now the three juveniles
Flora and Harry delivering fish
All captures and videos ©️ SSEN Transmission
Been scrolling looking for more fish deliveries and there was one at 10.38 but unfortunately unsuccessful.
10.38 Harry brought in a flatfish
There was the usual scramble to get it
The juvenile trying to grab it with its beak didn’t get a proper grip as Harry let goThe fish flapped about the nest
and straight to the edge
where it fell off. Gone.
I can’t see any more deliveries
Thursday 3 August
The juveniles are waiting on the first delivery of the day. Two on the nest and one calling in the background.
Harry brings a flatfish 08.52. #3 had been on the nest alone but the other two quickly joined him.
#1 (centre) got the fish.
and flew off with it.
Next delivery from Harry at 10.45. Another white flatfish.
Again, #3 was alone on the nest, #2 landed and #3 warned it off so #3 was able to collect the fish.
#3 (left) guarding his fish, Harry flies off and #1 flies on.
11.12 #3 (centre) still eating
11.23 #2 decides to try to steal the fish
#3 holds strong and the birds lock together11.25 #2 ends up pulling #3 over the edge of the nest#2 flies back up
followed by #3. Both unharmed but the piece of fish is lost.
Harry brings a third fish 13.31. The nest was empty.
The youngsters raced to get there first, #2 landed and was dive bombed by another so quickly that even at quarter speed, I couldn’t make out who it was.
#2 was then alone on the nest when Harry arrived and claimed the fish.
14.35Looks like she got it all to herself, unlike poor #3 (waiting at the front) who only got half a fish thanks to #2.
Friday 4 August
I didn’t see any more fish yesterday, that’s not to say I missed something!
10.24 This morning 3 was alone on the nest when Harry arrived with a flatfish.
#3 quickly and noisily took the fish
Harry must be thinking “What, no drama!”
There is another juvenile calling all of the time nearby, #3 calls back.
10.49 #3 enjoying his fish in peace
11.00 A short while later, #2 joins him
#3 had better guard his fish well as #2 will probably make an attempt at snatching. He’s lost a few fish to her in the past.
11.49 #2 made her attack for the fish from #3
#3 held strong and even pecked at #2 (he’s learning) #2 retreated.
#3 went to the side of the nest eating a piece of fish, unaware that more of the fish had fallen on the nest.
#2 (left) spotted it, picked it up and mantled over
11.51 Both eating
11.54 #1 finished, #2 still eating
12.00 Harry brings another flatfish to the nest. #2 is still eating and #3 is still there too.
#2 swings round and takes the fish from Harry quickly
#2 (left) mantling
Harry leaves
#2 enjoys her fish
The birds seem to get spooked and quickly fly off. There was a lot of human/machine background noise.
14.04 Looks like #3 was on the nest when Harry landed with another flatfish.
#2 came flying in.
#3 right, #2 left14.11 #3 ate the fish uninterrupted this time. 15.05 the fish was finished.
then #2 left the nest. 15.06