Bird Watching: Osprey season 2011. The nest is a busy place., 1 by MargaretK

MargaretK wrote:
Harmonious relations continue at the nest. Harry and his sisters are occasionally fed by their mother, but more often than not, are being left to feed themselves. I thought they'd squabble over any fish that is delivered to them, but no, their fine breeding prevails and they act with great decorum, each waiting until the other has had a feed and then taking over. They are so polite! Here's a poor shot of Dad arriving with a large, headless fish yesterday afternoon. Big Hook, who was on the pole branch, flew down to the nest to make certain he didn't overstay his welcome, but after he left, flying to the eucalypt where he's spending a lot of his time, she again flew to the pole branch, leaving her three youngsters to tackle the fish.

Rose, I'm so glad you're back with us. You've been missed. I hope everything continues to go well with the new computer. To answer your question, I don't know how often three chicks reach the stage that these three are at, but it seems that there are several nests in the north-eastern US that regularly have three chicks and there are one or two nest that have been known to raise four!

Iris, you're so right about this being a particularly good season, especially after last year. That was so tragic.

The book is in the throws of assessment by manuscript assessors. Trust me, you'll be the first to hear (after Madam X) if/when it ever gets to publishing stage. Jan, the book details the 2008-2009 nesting season, when the old adult female was in conflict with her single surviving chick over food. Here's a link to the first thread from that season. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/915026/