17 May 2022
I had no intention of writing another update on today’s birds. However, sometimes something wonderful happens.
The weather cooled off at Notre-Dame and a really nice fish came on the nest. Early today, little 17 had only a bite of fish and not much yesterday. This sweet little third hatch was conserving what energy it had and we were all hoping that food would come. The wee one had a small ps – not good. It was really showing how dehydrated 17 was getting.
17 did what we have seen many who are dominated by older siblings do – he was hungry and he needed to eat. How could he get around the pecking siblings? He went around on the rim of the nest. How many times have we seen desperate eaglets or osplets do this?
17 is on the rim watching until that one big sibling moves away from the fish.
Once he gets up to eat the sibling on the far left will move its head threatening to peck. 17 keeps its head away and moves in to grab a bite of fish and throws its wings out in a mantle.
It had to be such an anxious feeding. A human being would be sick under that kind of pressure.
17 keeps snatch and grabbing until all that is left is an inch or so of fish and the tail.
17 mantles, then grabs and turns his head away. What determination. Go 17!
That fish is getting shorter and by the time 17 finishes eating – he is going to have a great big crop for his size.
Mum leaves the tail piece. 17 eats on it holding it down at times while the Big siblings ignore it all. Eventually one of them will try and self-feed, too but, 17 knows to hold it down and they don’t.
The ND-LEEF camera does not have good definition. But look straight down. See the fluffy grey on either side of 17’s head. That is how big his crop is! He can hardly walk he is so full. This is wonderful. He hasn’t ever had such a good meal that I can remember. We were also at the point to start worrying a bit – so that is all avoided. Yipee.
The second egg of Richmond and Rosie had a crack in it a few hours ago. About an hour ago that crack went completely around the egg and you could see the little osplet inside the shell! Oh, how grand. A hatch for the SF Ospreys. How wonderful. It is a good way to end the day. A full tummy for 17 and a hatch – finally – for Richmond and Rosie.
There it is! Oh, sweet wiggly one.
Back to brooding. Was sort of hoping that they would move that other part of the hatchling’s shell out of the nest.
But goodness, welcome wee one!
I simply cannot think of a better way to end the day than with a big smile. All is well in Bird World.
Thank you for joining me. Take care.
Thank you to ND-LEED and SFOspreys and Golden Gate Audubon for their streaming cams where I took my screen captures.