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
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WendyBartter said:Nice fat crop there!
Yes Wendy, he’s doing well. I’m so happy that #3 is getting this good experience after all the times he had to do without food or got very little when there was a pecking order on the nest
#3 left the nest after eating and came back a little later.
14.38
14.39 It’s very windy up there today.
He lay down for a bit
16.40 He flew off with a vertical take off!
He returned to the nest at 17.33
17.36 He did a little stick shifting.
He then had a quick preen, looked around and left.
18.23 A different Osprey landed on the nest. I’ve taken a lot of captures to use for ID purposes if needed again in the future!
Underwing
18.25 the bird started to move sticks
18.26
Strong head markings
18.27 Front of head markings and pale chest
18.28 A little preening needed
18.29 And a scratch of the head
Side profile
#3 is heard in the distance and noticed by this Osprey.
Quick departure
#3 didn’t arrive at the nest and hasn’t returned yet.
Tuesday 29 August
Empty nest so far this morning up to 07.30
08.06 Hello #3 He lands on the nest after chasing a crow off it.
10.07 Whilst having a rest, Harry arrives with a fish.
10.11
Harry lets go of the fish to make it easier for #3
Mantling and calling that he has a fish
10.20
11.24 all that is left it the tail
Still a little too big to swallow
After much trying, he manages to grip it with his talons.
11.25 Lifts his wings and goes up
then down
and up again and away.
Today #3 is 96 days old.
The chatters on the live nest page have named him Chirpy.
A second fish came from Harry at 13.28. Another flatfish.
A quick handover as Harry stepped off the fish.
Harry immediately started chipping and mantling #3 joined in
Harry flew off. I didn’t see the intruder.
13.42 tucking in
14.39 getting there
15.15 the tail being swallowed
15.16 Gone!He wiped his beak on the nest.