Bird Watching: Raising Aussie Osprey #9, 1 by MargaretK

MargaretK wrote:
Well, it looks as if Dad may have a new partner. There have been no positive sightings of Mum Osprey since the 17th February, although a pair of adult Osprey have been seen soaring above and also flying within the very local area frequented by our family. Yesterday when I arrived at the nest site, Aussie was on a low branch. I made my way along the path to get a better view of her. She gave her usual greeting that she and Mum Osprey give the regulars (no, not kidding).

Aussie suddenly became very excited and it was clear that another Osprey was around and I caught a glimpse of Dad flying past with a fish and turning to head up to the nest. Aussie flew off and up onto the nest, no doubt to take delivery of her meal. Dad approached the nest with the fish, but then another Osprey joined him and they flew off together, to the end of the bay where he and Mum used to hang out. I managed one snap and grab shot of the female bird, which even on the screen on the camera was enough to see that it was indeed a female and that she had two eyes. When I downloaded the shot onto the computer, I confirmed that there was no leg band.

Back up the top again, I could see two adult Osprey in the trees on the embankment at the end of the bay. Aussie remained on the nest for a while, then went up onto the branch and eventually flew off, returning about twenty minutes later. She seemed entirely unperturbed by this new presence.

This is the new female. Her breast feather pattern was what made me immediately think it wasn't Mum when I viewed it on the camera screen as it seems to extend further towards the shoulders and is more prominent. Even though the left eye isn't clear, it is still obvious that there is an eye there and the leg shows no band.