The Ervie Puffer Party

09 March 2022 (nest time)

It could not have come at a better time. I sat staring at my notes about Little at the Duke Farms Bald Eagle nest. Sadly, I wrote down that I thought the wee one would not be with us tomorrow. At one time Big was tramping over Little and even though Little stood up and wanted food, it was not fed. My heart felt like someone had torn it apart. Then, ‘B’ sent me a note. “Ervie is on the nest”. Tears. How many times has that Port Lincoln Osprey brought sunshine to my life? and to yours?

Ervie flew in with another puffer at 13:25:05.

Here comes Ervie! I continue to wonder if Ervie prefers puffers? if they are so easy to catch and he knows where there are a stash of them? or if Ervie only comes to the nest to eat the puffers? perhaps he has developed a taste for them?

If you don’t look too close, you might think that this is just a normal fish.

Ervie worked that fish – which seemed to be mostly tough parts and skin – for at least an hour and fifteen minutes. In the process, several of us noted what had been posted on the Port Lincoln FB page – news about one of the talons on his right foot being missing. It appears that it is growing back in.

One of the chatters was curious about when Ervie lost this talon. Does anyone know how long it takes to grow a whole new talon? They are keratin, just like our nails. Clearly, Ervie’s feet looked a little worse for wear. They must be one of the most important parts of an Osprey’s body – that fine tuned machine where every aspect helps to hunt and retrieve fish. It was reassuring to see it growing back in.

I took some video clips to share with you. I hope you enjoy these. It was such a delight to see Ervie on the barge. I missed him the other day. These moments are so precious. I hope he comes back soon!

Ervie, you are much loved!

Thank you to the Port Lincoln Osprey Project for their streaming cam where I took my screen captures and video clips.