August 26, 2010
Like many of our web cam watchers around the world, I too have been watching the webcam from afar this week. I'm in beautiful Gananoque Ontario, spending time on the St. Lawrence River. There are many thriving osprey here and I've seen lots of nests, several birds fishing and one flying away with a fish in its talons. Our osprey family on the Bow is never far from mind.
The young are practicing flying now and are learning to fish. When river fishing gets challenging, the osprey have turned to koi ponds in the past....so we'll see if this trend continues.
Next weeks update will be coming to you from Boston Massachusetts.
Lisa McDonald
August 18, 2010 - Youngest Opsrey Has Now Fledged
The youngest osprey has now fledged. Below are a few photos from our osprey friend watching from afar. She noted that she felt that the youngest needed some encouragement from its older sibling and from mom , but at 12:03 Monday, August 16th, it took to the wing and finally left the nest.
This is a critical time for our young ospreys. T he nest is a warm, safe place and once the young are off exploring, they're exposed to all the dangers of the adult world. It reminds me of a time, several years ago, when my young stepdaughter was ready to learn to drive. I wish the ospreys well!
Lisa McDonald
August 10, 2010 - On The Wing
The young have taken to sitting on the edge of the nest, at times making mini flights to the other side. While their wings still occasionally hang awkwardly by their sides, any flapping is strengthening the muscles (supracoracoideus and pectoral) that power flight.
They seem preoccupied with what’s happening outside the nest. With mum and dad leaving for longer periods of time to hunt, it seems likely that they will make the leap and begin to explore the river very soon.
I’d like to thank a web cam watching friend from afar who sent photos of the eldest taking a fish from dad and self-feeding. This is yet another developmental milestone.
Lisa McDonald
August 3, 2010 - Up Up and Away!
In watching the babies this week, its becoming obvious that any day now they will take their first flight, so keep your eyes glued to the cam. Mom seems to be encouraging them by flapping and making short flights off the nest and the young seem eager to join her. In previous years we’ve banded the young ospreys around this time-and we may be able to complete this task again this year. A professionally trained bander will secure a numbered metal band around the bird’s leg and record information about the individual, its nesting site and other pertinent information. When bands are recovered, we can learn about the movements of individuals and species.
For now though, let’s watch and wait and let the adventure unfold!
Lisa McDonald