Growing in an Osprey's garden.

After such a sad finale to last years breeding season, the male Osprey paired off with a new female within four weeks of Old Ma Osprey's disappearance. I have continued to observe the male and his new mate throughout the winter and watched as nest reconstruction began in early July. The new female has been named "Big Hook", for obvious reasons. Here's a photo of the two of them together back in July. She is on the left and is noticeably larger than the male. Their mating was frequent and enthusiastic and their first egg was laid on August 19th.

I hope you'll join me in another chapter in the lives of these utterly beautiful birds.

This is Big Hook on the nest this afternoon. She and the male have shared sitting on the egg/s over the past five weeks. I think he'd gladly stay sitting on them, but Big Hook only lets him sit for about half an hour whilst she goes off for a bath or to have a feed on a fish that he has brought to her, before gently nudging him off. The nest has quite a bit of greenery, flourishing in our wetter than usual Spring.

Wonderful to follow another osprey family, Margaret--thank you for the pictures.

Over the last two days their behaviour subtly changed. They became more restive and Big Hook was paying more attention to what was under her. Because of the greenery, it was hard to see either bird, especially when they were settled right down. This afternoon Big Hook was spending very little time sitting and the male was absent for a particularly long time. I thought that a chick must have hatched. This was confirmed when I saw a tiny little fawn coloured head for just a couple of seconds.

Now, it is REALLY hard to see, but if you follow a line straight down from Big Hook's left wing, in amongst that greenery is a tiny head facing away from the camera. Its beak is open and the pink inside of the beak can be seen. (You may just have to trust me on this one - I can see it clearly on the big screen).

Thanks Iris. I hope it will be as enthralling but less distressing than last year.

The proud papa returning to the nest after handing out cigars to his mates at the fish pub.

A pair of Kookaburras flew by and with sounds of great consternation she took off after them.

She returned less than half a minute later.

When I left the nest at close on 5pm, the male had gone off across the bay on a fishing excursion and Big Hook was sitting contentedly in the garden awaiting his return.

More tomorrow.

Margaret, your photos and story have already hooked me on this beautiful pair. The photos are so clear and crisp, nice work. I can't wait to see more in the coming weeks.

Great shots Margaret! They almost look like eagles!

OH!!!!! I can see the little one!!! YAY!!!!

I'm very happy to see this new series Margaret...the shots are awesome and I can see the little one clearly!!

Great new series Margaret! The pics are beautiful. I cannot see the little one but that's okay, he'll grow fast and be seen soon enough!

Here's a little help, Pelle…

Thanks Mrs Ed! I was looking at the other side. :-)

Thanks for your encouraging comments (as if I needed encouragement). I'm glad you could make out the chick. Thanks for pinpointing it, Mrs Ed.

I suppose I could have started at the beginning, but I was so excited to see the chick yesterday I couldn't wait to share it. Talking with Madam X last night, she is quite certain the chick hatched the day before yesterday, making it 36 days from laying to hatching.

Old Ma Osprey was last seen on February 17th and by March 20th, Dad Osprey had begun a new dynasty with Big Hook. They had been seen flying around together, but this was the first time that she had been observed on the nest. He had been swooping her, not in an aggressive manner, although some of the shots may look that way. This is the photo that immediately had her named Big Hook.

I didn't manage to capture any shots of him swooping her, however he had been and this was when she moved down from the branch to the nest.

This shot was taken just after he'd done a low pass. She took on a defensive posture.

There were only sporadic sightings of them on the nest in the following weeks. This shot was quickly snapped as I arrived at the nest on June 26th. Dad Osprey is the one with the fish. I have no idea if the bird on the nest is Big Hook or possibly Aussie, who was still around, but Dad certainly objected to its presence.

Seconds later, the bird who had been on the nest was upside down and both had hold of the fish that Dad had in his talons. Both disappeared after this shot was taken.

I went to the river just on dawn on July 11th. Dad and Big Hook were very active, with Dad repeatedly swooping her. I took dozens of shots. These are a small selection.

From memory I think these bonding sessions were conducted in silence.

...

... but vigorous, nonetheless.

During the courtship and mating, he was very much the dominant bird. Once the egg/s were laid, Big Hook called the shots.

....

I wonder if this enthusiastic courting was how Old Ma Osprey ended up with an eye injury last year.

The two of them would leave the nest for some paired flying around the bay. Again her size against Dad Osprey is obvious.

I'll add more shots as I sort through them.

Hey glad to see you adding more pics of the Ospreys. very interesting so far. I'm sure, it's going to be an amazing and enjoyable journey following this thread.

Thanks Burn. It will be interesting to see how different this season is when compared to the last.

Jaw Drops! lol, Very Nice Margaret!! Beautiful!!

Glad to see you back Marg

Great action shots Margaret! Thanks for sharing them!

It will be fun watching this new Osprey family, Margaret.

So glad that they have started their family! Any names for the baby yet?

Thanks folks. I'm glad to be sharing the experience once again. No JuneyBug, no name for the chick yet.

Their garden is a little overgrown. With the rain we've had today and with more expected tomorrow, it will continue to grow and obscure these first few days of observing the chick. Pretty certain there is only the one chick at this stage. Whilst I was there Big Hook was focussed on feeding it and didn't appear to look at anything that might have indicated that there is a second chick.

You'll be doing well to see the chick in this shot. It's always easier on the computer at home before things are downsized for posting. However, if you look at Big Hook's beak, the chick is facing her with its mouth open and a glint of light is striking its eye. Maybe Mrs Ed can do her clever trick and pinpoint it (that's if she's able see it)

These two Silver Gulls arrived hoping to create havoc. I can't remember if it was Dad Osprey or Big Hook on the nest at the time, but there really is an Osprey huddled down behind the greenery.

Yup, here you go…

Thanks, Mrs Ed.

One more of a Silver Gull after its crony had departed.