Raising Aussie Osprey #8

Just imagine how confusing it is for poor little Aussie, no doubt wondering why this change of attitude. It would be equally as distressing for Mum, going against the instincts that have driven her for years.

This is such a sad picture.

Oh how sad. I am hopeful that these gals can work it out.

Margaret, this is intriguing but I'm really confused but I'm no expert on avian behavior. Good observations. Lee

Kim, it is sad. Nature at its toughest. I'm losing my optimism.

Lee, I'm no expert on avian behaviour either. I have had a lot of experience caring for birds over the years and can recognize some typical responses, which are little different to human reactions to situations.

How atypical would you say of the behavior of the Ospreys' at this time. You sound like you are getting down Margaret. What's this like for you? Lee

It is so pitiful to see Mum fighting her chick for the fish that Dad just brought.

Lee, this is the first time I've watched Ospreys. My observations have been that they are incredibly placid natured birds - just look how tolerant they have been of the attacks by the Willie Wagtails. You're very perspicacious, Lee. It saddens me greatly to see a beautiful raptor resorting to squabbling with her (still young) offspring for food. Hunger is a powerful master.

I can tell you are understandingly troubled. You do sound sad and I'm sorry. You've been such a good/astute observer of their behavior all these months. You have given all of us a wonderful experience. What do you plan on doing regarding your observations? Lee

The struggle continued for possibly as long as two minutes.

Margaret, you know how to personally contact me should you need or want to. Lee

I'll continue to observe, Lee. It won't stop me from feeling sad about events. Thanks for the offer Lee. That's very kind.

They continued the battle. In this shot, Mum is under Aussie's wing.

Will be off line for a while Margaret. Have been chatting with a friend on Guam much of y'day and today because he is suicidal. My left hand is starting to hurt from all the typing so until later. Lee

In total I took close on 200 shots of the struggle between them. Eventually, Mum won the battle and went to a lower branch to eat the fish. Aussie remained on the nest, looking down at her Mum having a feed, calling periodically. She would then look over to where she could see Dad in a nearby tree and repeatedly gave her hungry call. He responded by arriving after about thirty minutes with another fish for her.

I didn't go to the nest site yesterday, but went this afternoon. I'll have to post the pix, along with today's events, tomorrow.

So sad and clearly distressing for the bird and for you and us here to watch. If what they other observer says is true, that this is abnormal. THe assumption has to be that it is related to the mum's condition.

I guess we must prepare for this wonderful high we have been on start to crash....

Well this really is sad but I'm so glad Mom got a fish for herself.

Margaret, If at any time you want to stop this don't think twice about it.

We would all certainly understand. (((HUGS)))

Yes Margaret, please don't subject yourself to more than you wish to bear.

It's so easy to get attached to something so wonderful. And I'm sure, things are not easy to witness at this time. I tend to agree with Nanny, I think it has to do with Mum's condition, it might be getting worse, and her patience is wearing thin, with her being hungry as well. I appreciate all the time you've given us with them Margaret. If it's too much to bear, by all mean, give yourself a break from it. I know I'd find it hard, if I was in your shoes.

Pelle, Nanny and Burn, thank you so much. I'll continue to observe and post. What's happening is a tough part of life, but life nonetheless. I wouldn't feel right about pulling the pin because things have taken a turn for the worse.

When I got to the nest yesterday afternoon, Mum was on the nest, as she had been all day. Aussie came flying in and landed on the branch. It was obvious that again she wanted to get onto the nest but was hesitant because of Mum's inevitable reaction. She called down to Mum repeatedly. Mum, in the meantime, had moved to the base of the branch as if to block Aussie's access.

Both Mum and Aussie had a loose feather sticking out. I wonder if that was as a result of some previous conflict.

Aussie was determined to get onto the nest. Mum has started to protest in earnest.

And it's on once more.

A few seconds later and now Aussie's getting cranky

But not for long. Mum's forcing Aussie off the nest.

As you can see from the passage of the boat, only a short time had passed. Aussie continues to be puzzled by Mum's turn of heart.

Margaret, do you ever see Aussie attempting to catch fish while you are there?

No, GP. The only time I've ever seen her with a fish I'm pretty sure she caught herself was a little while back when she caught that Blowfish. I only spend 3 or 4 hours a day there, so I don't know what's happening at other times. She should be showing evidence of being able to provide part of her own food by now. I guess Mum Osprey's behaviour has had a flow on effect. Dad's too nervous to stick around and so Aussie isn't being given the opportunities to accompany him. The whole normal pattern of life has been thrown out of whack.

This afternoon, a man who is an authority on raptors came to view the situation. In a nutshell, he is of the opinion that Mum won't survive for much longer.

I'll probably start going there a couple of times a day to keep a close eye on what's going on. I went just after 11am today and there was no sign or sound of Aussie or Dad. Mum was on the nest and was still in the same place when I went back this afternoon. The lady who lives close by and has the opportunity to view on a regular basis says that Mum went for a brief flight yesterday and was on a branch earlier today, sitting with head bowed and wings drooping in the hot sun, but otherwise has remained standing at the edge of the nest.

Late this afternoon, Aussie came flying in from across the bay and landed on the branch. After a while she went onto the nest. Mum made a feeble protest, but did't make any offensive moves towards her. Aussie called repeatedly in her "I'm starving" voice. Mum half-heartedly joined in. However, Dad didn't turn up with a fish whilst I was there and I left later than usual.

Oh my..... :(

Sorry to hear that Margaret.

Yes, I guess it's something that's been in the back of my mind since Resin first highlighted the probability that she wouldn't be a able to cope with just the one eye. It's sad to see that prediction unfolding in front of me.

I returned from the nest about an hour ago. Aussie was on the nest and sounding hungry. Mum was on the right hand branch. She was very quiet. She went through the action of pooping, but nothing came out. No sign of Dad today, either.

I'll go back again this afternoon. I haven't been taking photos.

If Mum does not make it much longer, what does that mean for Aussie's survival?? Will Dad feed her or will it be up to her to fend for herself and what are the odds she ia capable of that????

Margaret, I know you really don't have the answers to my questions...just thinking 'out loud' here.

Thanks, Nanny. I guess it bothers me that Aussie's at the nest an awful lot, looking towards Dad's favourite tree and calling hungrily. The guy who's an authority on Ospreys said the sound that she's making is the call of a chick who's very, very hungry. Mum Osprey's behaviour related to her bung eye seems to have thrown everything out of its normal or expected rhythm. If she is not yet able to fend for herself, which I believe is the case and isn't accompanying Dad on the number of fishing expeditions she should be, then it doesn't seem to auger well for her, either. Intervention may be a possibility with Aussie, even if not with Mum.

Oh Margaret, I don't know what to say....

Anyone got a good enough throwing arm to chuck some fish into the nest??

Resin

great idea ...two at a time for peace sake.

Have you heard any plans for an intervention yet Marg?

I agree with throwing fish.

You'd need a rocket launcher to get fish into the nest. The tree and the nest are amazingly inaccessible, both from land and from the river. This is probably why it has managed to survive for so many years. However, even if we were able to get a fish into the nest, it would only be prolonging things. Such interventions wouldn't be sustainable.

I went back again this afternoon. Mum and Aussie were both on the nest. At one stage I was kinda optimistic about Mum as she was looking outwards and downwards from the nest and doing that head rocking they do when focussing on something. She plunged downwards towards the river and I held my breath awaiting her return, hoping against hope that she'd return with a fish. She was back after a few passes below the nest and unfortunately without a fish. It was like another nail being hammered into the coffin.

Saying that, she is certainly clear eyed and more alert than she appeared to be this morning. I didn't take my camera today and had binoculars instead. She did another poop and although it was very small, it was white, which according to the osprey authority, is a sign there is still food remains in her gut.

Aussie remained in that hunched position with wings held outwards and downwards, calling constantly. Both the lady who lives in the nearby house and I were concerned that we hadn't seen the male for two days and wondered if something had happened to him as well. At about 6.30 this evening, Aussie and Mum had a minor skirmish and because of Mum's position on the edge of the nest, she was easily forced off the nest. Aussie remained on the nest, looking around and periodically calling. Much to our relief, the male arrived with a fish and left it for Aussie. He then alighted in the tree above where I was sitting and made his very distinctive sounds whilst gazing at me intensely. Fabulous sight through the binoculars.

I didn't see Mum return to the nest and it was close on 7pm when I left. Will go back in the morning.

Oh my. This is so sad. I hope you find them doing better in the morning, Marggie. There are water balloon slingshots...I wonder if you could sling fish with one?!

That's true in respect of the mother, but it could tide Aussie over until she is old enough to catch her own fish. This (human-supplied fish) is how young Ospreys released for re-introduction programmes are kept going. The fishing instinct is natural, but the accuracy of catching needs lots of practice. There is no direct parental 'teaching how to fish', it doesn't need any parental involvement beyond a food supply until the practice makes good.

I did think a while over the idea before making the suggestion; feeding Aussie is realistically no different to feeding garden birds. It wouldn't make her dependent on people. But if it is logistically impossible, then that's that.

One thing that does surprise me though is the shortage of food the male is bringing in. If they had been successful in raising 3 or 4 chicks, he'd have to be bringing in more food than he does for just one chick and an incapacitated adult. Maybe there's a shortage of fish this year? (try asking local fishermen?). Maybe he's been scared off by the mother's odd behaviour?

Resin

Those were my thoughts too Resin. Could there be some way to sustain Aussie for a bit?? And Dad does seem to be put off and no longer doing a good job providing for some reason.

There's no shortage of fish in the area. Every day I see scores of Cormorants, Terns and Gulls fishing in the bay, along with people fishing in boats and on the jetty. Some people even have a line out as they kayak across the bay. I think it's due to Mum's intimidating behaviour over the last few weeks.