12 June 2024
Good Morning!
It is now official. We can pop the champagne corks, dance around the fire, shed the tears. Iris and Finn have a hatch.
‘A’ reports: “Finn, having been sent off on a fishing mission by Iris, returns at 05:49:35 complete with breakfast. She is, however, reluctant to get up from brooding her newborn, so Finn brings the fish around near her head and begins eating. He offers Iris a bite, which she considers but refuses. He keeps eating. Iris continues chirping. He offers her another bite. She refuses and keeps vocalising. Finn keeps eating.
Finally, at 05:53, she accepts one of the bites Finn offers her. He then proceeds to FEED HER. Not just a bite or two, but an entire feeding. It lasted for about eight minutes, until 06:01. Shortly afterwards, Finn flew off the nest with empty talons – Iris is hiding our view of any remaining fish. I hope he left some for her to feed the osplet its first meal. But I wonder whether Finn was showing Iris that he knew what he needed to do with the chick! It certainly was an exceptionally endearing interaction.
He circles and lands on the perch, not wanting to leave his new family I suspect. He certainly was fascinated by his chick. The way he looked down at it was adorable. And when he stood next to Iris, who was brooding their osplet, he looked so immensely proud. Yes, I’m anthropomorphising, I know. He leaves at 06:34:41 and returns at 06:57:35, with empty talons. Iris is half standing, and Finn moves around the nest so he can see his offspring. Iris is chatty. Finn is fascinated.
She stands up to show him the osplet, then settles back down to brood. Finn wanders about the nest, doing a little busy work – he checks half a dozen sticks to ensure they are in perfect position. Iris tells him it’s good of him but not necessary just now. At 07:03:31, he leaves. So far, she has not fed the young one. It is still less than three hours old so there’s no rush. .
I’m SO excited. Can you tell? And The moment of truth and I held my breath when Iris flew off the nest, leaving Finn with the precious baby.
Iris trusted Finn to brood the osplet for a couple of minutes while she flew around the carpark a few times and stretched her wings. He was absolutely fascinated by his new chick, but eventually settled carefully down to brood. Iris was soon back, and quietly chatting to him about getting some breakfast I think. Finn headed off on his fishing mission and Iris gave us a wonderful view of our new osplet – watch from 05:28:45. Oh it is SO cute. Finn is a very very proud dad and Iris is thrilled. “
Well, has anyone kept their eyes off of Hellgate Canyon’s YouTube today? EvenCornell has confirmed a pip for Iris and Finnegan. The world’s oldest known osprey is about to become a mother again after six years! Her last chick was Le’le (2018), who successfully fledged. That was her only chick to survive with Louis, her second mate after Stanley.
I have been so torn emotionally wanting Iris to spend her summers in leisure, but that was because we all knew what would happen with Louis. Finnegan is attentive and caring. Now we sit anxiously to see her become a Mum and for her and her chick to be cared for by this fantastic new mate.
‘A’ told me she would never watch Osprey cams. Famous last words. She is hooked on Iris and a few of the other nests. She writes, “I am absolutely certain that there is major action occurring beneath mama tonight. Darling Finn, after bringing in a lovely big fish for Iris and allowing her three hours’ break yesterday morning, spent some time on the perch, just hanging out with his lady love. TOO adorable. It was nearly 21:48 (10 June) when he flew to the perch with a nice big headless fish for Iris. He had a crop so large, it looked like a big smooth white balloon.
It was nearly dark. Iris chirped at him but did not get up from her eggs. After a couple of minutes, Finn brought his fish gift to the nest, and then walked around Iris a couple of times, arranged a stick or two, and generally tried to make himself useful, perhaps waiting to see whether Iris needed him to do any incubating. Iris continues to vocalise quietly. But Iris was still full from the previous fish, so he left it on the nest for her. She has a nibble, dragging it across the nest just before 3am (02:55:55 to be precise, on 11 June).
She had one bite, then carefully positioned the fish so that she could settle down on the eggs AND on the fish, with the fish behind the eggs, perhaps so she could ensure Finn could not remove it. I am certain she is hanging onto that fish because she has a chick on the way – she knows she will need to feed herself and a chick, preferably without having to fly away from the nest. She is not certain about Finn as a father yet – we don’t know how he will react to seeing an osplet in the nest. After Tom last season and Scout this year (at least Tom learnt quickly – poor Bella – not just one chick but both!)
Certainly, she has been restless for much of the night, and seems to be sitting higher on the eggs than previously. She is reluctant to leave the eggs, and is hoarding half a fish underneath her, so we will see what the morning brings. It is 05:05 on the morning of 11 June, so certainly within the hatch window for the egg laid on 5 May. As I mentioned, I would have preferred that the first egg not hatch, given the danger of a second hatch a full week after the first, which would be a serious concern. But it seems something is definitely causing behavioural changes on this nest and hopefully we will soon find out what that something is.
I am SO nervous. Can you tell? Meanwhile, it’s 07:07 at Lake Murray and Lucy is feeding Middle Bob a nice fish breakfast. Life has been peaceful and full of fish since the predation of Middle’s two siblings, and it seems your wish has been granted and this remaining osplet has reached a size and weight that may protect it from even the gigantic owl that stripped this nest of two beautiful feathered osplets.
Meanwhile, at WBSE, here is today’s report:
June 11: Both eagles slept near the nest, in the nest tree, last night, and were awake very early, with duets and mating – in response to an intruder? Dad brought in an early stick, then they were off. Both were seen from the river at 7:45am, one at River Roost and one in the forest, near Ironbark Roost. Then, just after 8am, a wedgetail eagle flew to the nest. One of our eagles swooped past it many times, until it finally left at 8:37am. Dad returned at 10:43am after a duet close by. He brought a fish – mulloway – to the nest at 11:53am. It was claimed by Lady. She ate, but left a good chunk of fish on PB close by. Another duet just after 1pm, so they are very vocal today. Then, just after 2pm, eagles were reported at Burns Bay – with much honking (and they were seen there yesterday afternoon as well). Just before 3pm, Dad came in and collected the left-over fish from the branch – and took it to the nest, back and forth and then in the direction of Ironbark Roost. Both eagles were away, then heard nearby at the end of the day, with more duets. At dark, our pair were close we think – but not in sight. Is the wedgie still close by as well?
I do hope there are no problems with intruders – the last thing any nest needs is a parent/partner lost. It is unthinkable that Dad or Lady could be injured or even killed. But it seems the intruder was seen off and the territory secured. It is of course possible that even minor hormonal changes associated with defending the territory against an intruder could delay egg laying.
Always a huge relief to see the fledglings!
At the Amersfoort scrape, ‘A’ observes: “Smallie is back in the scrape but does not seem to be getting any food. He is going outside so may be participating in feeding outside, but he looks very skinny and hungry and there is nothing being brought into the scrape. One of his sisters stashed some food in there yesterday afternoon but Smallie didn’t find it before she returned three hours or so later and ate it herself. Smallie is still at least a week away from fledging and is relying on the parents to bring prey to the scrape, though even when they do, he has no real chance of winning the fight for the food with his much larger siblings. I am very concerned about the prospects of this brave little falcon. I do hope he can manage to find something to eat until he fledges, though even then, hunting is not a skill acquired alone or overnight. He has not been banded so we may never know his fate but he sure has a lot of people all over the world rooting for him. Such a sweetie. “
The Jay Koolpix MNSA nest in Oceanside, NY is a wonderful place. ‘MP’ writes, “he mom feeds them all when the fish first arrives and they line up, and then as they walk away when they are full as she taught them to do or even before, if she has fish left, she walks over to each one starting with whom she feels may need more. She hobbles over with fish in one foot and tempts each to have more until the very, very little tail is left, and then she eats it.”
I have too many favourite UK nests. Idris and Telyn is one of those. Idris is known for his long legs (Daddy Long Legs) and for being able to bring in some whoppers. The three osplets are plump and healthy. Telyn is a fantastic Mum – everyone gets fed.
The size difference in the three chicks of Aran and Elen at Glaslyn is noticeable.
All lined up nicely at Poole Harbour.
The osplets in Germany have been ringed. A nice fish dinner followed.
Where’s Louis at Loch Arkaig?
Geemeff writes, “Louis has just turned up, at 21.26 after not being seen since 10.35. But – he didn’t bring any fish! Chick2 has gone bezerk, attacking C1 and C3, and not stopping even when they’re ultra-low and submissive. C2 definitely wants to be dominant, and doesn’t hesitate to attack the other two. “
Fox cub dinner at the Golden Eagle nest in Estonia. Both eaglets full.
Just look at how fast these two Golden Eaglets are growing. Both are alive. Both fed well. The oldest cannot overcome the youngest and, perhaps, we are witnessing something truly incredible. A Golden Eagle nest with no obligate siblicide. The female is doing an amazing job making sure that the youngest is fed and having that fox cub on the nest really provided a lot of food. They may look small but these eaglets are the size of big turkeys!
‘T’ writes: “The chicks of the Kama and Chulman in Russia, White tail eagles, are so cute!!! They are 38 and 41 days old today.”
‘T’ also brings us news of Waba who is near St Petersburg, RU.
This is the area where Waba is foraging. ‘T’ advises that with all of the rain that there would be lots of frogs and little fishes, perfect for a Black Stork.
Sunnie Day got a good capture of the four osplets at the Wells Fargo/Iowa DNR nest in Iowa.
Middle is a beautiful osplet with juvenile plumage – so far the only survivor of the GHO at Lake Murray. So thankful that one of them lived!
Nothing is stopping Little Mini from being right up there at the beak before the big siblings. Gosh. Is this a female? That would be a really good research project for someone but it would require the will, funding, and staff to get out and band and do DNA testing. (As well as on the deceased 3rd and 4th hatches). Much could be learned about gender behaviour on these nests.
The feeding at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum looked good. Dad is right there supervising. He doesn’t want to lose any chicks this year!
Everything is good at Salt Point!
It is pip and hatch watch for Charlo Montana!
SK Hideaways gives us the low down on Lucia’s second grounding and rescue.
‘H’ gives us her reports:
“
6/11 South Cape May Meadows osprey nest: Hurray for Hera and Zeus…they have a baby! On 6/8 a crow destroyed an egg, believed to have been egg #3, and it also pecked at another egg. This hatch could be from either egg # 1 or egg #2.
6/11 Forsythe osprey nest: After Mini4 passed away overnight from siblicide/starvation, the nest was a little more calm. The remaining three chicks know that they have one less beak to worry about competing for fish bites from Opal, and there was noticeably less fighting today. Now, we worry if Little3 can survive in this nest. It all depends on the amount of fish brought to the nest. Oscar brought eight medium-small sized fish to the nest on 6/11. All three chicks ate at the first meal. At meals #2 and 3, Little was only able to grab a few bites of fish. Little ate for several minutes at each of the next two meals. And, at meals 6-8, Little was only able to eat a few bites at each meal.
6/11 Patuxent River Park osprey nest: It has been five days since Little was returned to the nest after a 48 hour stay in rehab. Little still has to contend with the dominance behavior from Big, but s/he has learned to adapt, and waits his turn to be fed. Fortunately, Dad delivers whoppers that outlast the appetites of Big and Middle. At 0851 Dad dropped off a huge headless fish from which Mom doled out fish bits for almost 90 minutes. At 0930 Little ate for two minutes before being intimidated by Big. But, by 0946, it was just Little with Mom, and s/he ate for the next 25 minutes. The next fish was a small whole fish delivered at 1526, and it was quite a disjointed meal, that was interrupted several times by intruder issues and even grackle attacks! Little did not eat from that fish. The last feeding of the day was at 1735 from another huge fish that lasted 85 minutes. Little made it to the table at 1821 and had a private meal for 15 minutes. After the sibs ate some more, Little ate for another 8 minutes at 1844. Mega crop again!
Heidi and I need your help. Are you watching the Osoyoos nest in British Columbia? Could you please send us notes on fish deliveries. Any observations appreciated. Thank you!
Storks continue to die in Europe, some mysteriously. I have tried to keep an accurate list to add to the Memorial Wall and there are so many stork deaths that it is impossible. There are more today as reported by ‘T’: “Netherlands – Groningen / Noorddijk “The breeding season of the stork family in Noorddijk has turned into a tragedy. Four young were born at the beginning of spring. But this quartet is no longer alive. Natuurmonumenten is faced with a mystery. “We don’t know what’s going on,” says ranger Bart Zwiers. “The young died one after the other. The last one died last week. We have transported this carcass to Sovon. Sovon is the knowledge center in the Netherlands for the distribution and development of wild birds. We want to know what’s going on. How is it possible that all four youngsters have died?” There has been so much rain and in some areas, ‘T’ reports that it is lung infections causing the deaths due to the damp nests. Chicks cannot get out of the water and up to a dry edge of a nest. This is so devastating.
‘A’s WBSE report: “June 12: eagles were heard early then away before 7am. Wedgie possibly about as the eagles were seen looking down. Several matings were seen – and duets – bonding behaviour. Dad brought in a big forked stick at 8:50. Both were away, not spotted from our watchers on the river. Then Dad delivered a nice sized bream at 10:36, closely followed by Lady. She claimed it and took it to the branch to eat, as Dad worked a little on the nest. The wind was very strong and nearly flipped him over. She took a long time eating, with dad watching –then both were off by 11:42. Neither could be seen from the river at 12. Lady was back at 12:40, with dad – then he was pecking in the nest bowl at her feet. Then duet and mating again, and away. One eagle was reported over the forest at 3pm. Then just before 5pm dad brought a headless bream, accepted by Lady and eaten – leaving a tail scrap on the nest. Dad squonking then as they mated – and settled close by for the night. The young wedgie has not been seen today.”
The Cuckoo gets caught!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care! See you soon.
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, videos, articles, images, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘A, Geemeff, H, MP, PB, T’, Cornell Bird Lab, Sea Eagle Cam, SK Hideaways, Amersfoort Falcon Cam Jay Koolpix MNSA Osprey Cam, Dyfi Osprey Project, Bywyd Gwylld Glaslyn, BoPH, Field Farm, Eschenbach Osprey Cam, Geemeff, Eagle Club of Estonia, RU White-tail Eagle Cam, Looduskalender, Sunnie Day, Lake Murray Ospreys, MN Landscape Arboretum, Salt Point, Charlo Montana Osprey Cam, Forsythe Ospreys, Patuxent River Park, Osoyoos, Sea Eagle Cam, and The Guardian.
