Bird Watching: Osprey season 2011. So far, three chicks doing well., 1 by MargaretK

MargaretK wrote:
We came from here. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1221447/#top

In case anyone wants to go back to the thread at the beginning of this season, here's the link. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1190091/

The three chicks are thriving. I met up with Pete (Unsteady) at the nest yesterday and we discussed how the chick's mother, Big Hook, seems a lot more relaxed and less demanding this year. She is far more cautious when negotiating around the chicks and we simultaneously said that she has matured. Dad rarely leaves either the pole branch or on of the branches leading out from the nest, but frequently comes down onto the nest to have a closer look at his chicks. He brings all the fish to Big Hook and she alone feeds the chicks. A surprising number of fish are being brought in live and kicking.

Neither Pete nor myself have noticed any sibling rivalry and all are being fed pretty well equally, although the two bigger chicks have a greater capacity. Unless something untoward happens, there seems no reason not to be optimistic about their progress through to fledging.

This heavily cropped shot shows all three chicks. The smallest is on the right of the screen and you should see its bulging crop. The other two are now well and truly into their reptilian stage and the little one is showing signs of its down being replaced.