Osprey season 2011. So far, three chicks doing well.

Great treat to see the update Margaret. Like everyone I'm so tickled to see the Willie Wagtails again. Above all I was admiring Big Hook's tolerance of the little bird. Awesome!

Thanks, GG. Pete has wondered the same thing. It's going to get awfully crowded in there when they start exercising their wings in earnest prior to fledging.

Sorry, Kim, we cross posted. The Willie Wagtails know no fear - and have no concept of size.

So I've noticed Margaret. I was just thinking, like you've mentioned above. The W.Ws maybe nesting nearby. So I gathered their parental instinct in an attempt to ward off intruders became counterintuitive? In the process, they became the intruders themselves?

Spot on, Kim. Unfortunately for the Willie Wagtails, protecting their nest is often the undoing of the nest. Anyone or anything, man, bird or beast that gets too near the nest is badgered the way they do to the ospreys, which are in fact quite some distance from the WWT nest (see, again size is immaterial to them). I don't know if you ever played the "find-it" game as a kid, but some item would be hidden and then the person trying to find it would move about and as they came closer to the object, the others would yell "warmer, warmer" or if moving away from the object they'd yell "cooler, cooler". Eventually, by following the cooler and warmer cues, the person would locate what had been hidden. Well, so it is with the Willie Wagtails; by scolding and jumping around on whoever is too close to their nest (warmer, warmer) give the location of the nest away.

Extraordinary photos Margaret.

absolutely wonderful ...

Thanks duc and boots.

Boots, I'll bet you New Zealanders will be glad to see the tail end of 2011. What a dreadful year it's been and now, with the Bay of Plenty disaster, you must wonder what more can happen.

Its been dreadful for some, hope the weather stays fine so they get most of the oil out.

auzzies has done well tonight.!!

You must really be enjoying this after last season. So good to see them all well fed and happy.

It's really good, GP. I went there yesterday (Friday) afternoon, as I won't be able to get down there for a few days and saw a bit more bullying. It was hard to see who was bullying who, but the one being bullied remained in a submissive position for a couple of minutes after the bully left it alone.

No photos from yesterday. Mind you, I have one for the "dreadful bird photos" thread.

Too much to ask for the bully to be the youngest...would'nt that be perfect?

Look's like this thread and the family are doing quite well. Bedraggled but beautiful Margaret on the shot of Big Hook!!! Great additions Pete!
Keep the fish coming!

Well folks sorry for the late update from the past WE. Weather on Saturday was awful, rain all day but got down on Sunday to check on the family. When I arrived there was a fair bit of activity among the chicks while mum rested up at the edge of the nest eyes closed for a well earned rest. In this first picture there was a bit of a squabble nothing nasty like last year just siblings fighting for a very short while.

In the next picture harmony is restored and mum continues to get some shut eye whilst the youngsters start to get restless!

In the next picture every one is united looking out of the nest for pa - "where's dad mum, I'm hungry!!"

Should have looked the other way 'cos here's dad with an afternoon snack! He doesn't hang around long either, get's out of there quickly! Note how much smaller he is and his clear chest compared to ma.He handed off to ma pretty quick.

Wow those are wonderful shots Pete! The chicks look so healthy. Love the shot of them all looking out.

Some great photos there Pete, Wow. Look at how fast the chicks are growing! What a beautiful sight to see.

I'm glad that there are still 3 chicks.

Love the pictures.

AWESOME!!!! I enjoy so much watching this thread! Thank You for sharing!

Oh Pete, that shot of them all looking for dad is precious!

Fantastic shots, Pete, especially the one of them all lined up waiting for daddo. I'm glad you got down there. I was away for the weekend, but went to the nest yesterday afternoon, but no shots worthy of posting.

We're expecting storms today and the possibility of them continuing for the next couple of days, but will grab any breaks in the weather to head down there to check on our family.

Great family photos....with those close quarters, there are bound to be some squabbles.

Love the photos Pete, especially the "line-up". Just wonderful.

Just incredible like others have said, I especially love the shot of mum with her eye lid shut, very interesting shot.

Thanks for the updated photos.

Jan

I have been lurking...work keeping me busy...and tired! Mags, as usual, your pix are stunning. Yours are too, Pete. This is going to be another great journey/adventure for all of us.

Chick's all look great and very close in size! Great shots Pete!..agree with everyone on the looking out for Dad shot..wonderful!

Thanks for watching, folks. Here's a link to the new thread. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1227580/
This shot is from 4 days ago. Big Hook and No.1 chick spent several seconds just staring like this.




This message was edited Oct 29, 2011 9:04 AM