The nest is located on Mathews Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC, USA.
06 May 2009
To give everyone an idea of the ospreys surrounding fishing holes, you can click on the map of Hilton Head Island, SC to expand it. The blue marker is where we are located. Savannah, Georgia is about 45 miles southwest of us.
41
comments:
Anonymous
said...
I have a condo on Folly Field and frequent the island. Whenever I see osprey flying overhead with fish in feet, I wonder about our little feathered family. Wouldn't it be great to circle above the nest and take a peek in! Your camera and comments bring us so close to the real thing. Thanks from another supporter.
Mother hasnt even finished feeding them and he brings in another fish..what a good man.. Our poor little runt just had gotten started feeding , GJ had to get his fill he is a big boy.. This is so fun
We noticed that too Kat. There are two flounder on the nest. Maybe "GJ" will fill his/her belly and sleep so "MG" and "DS" can eat in peace. The two fish the male caught this morning were very small and "GJ" ate most of each one. The small fish could be because of the storms that past through yesterday afternoon/evening making fishing difficult until now.
There are countless lagoons located all over Hilton Head and if you look at the map just under the text "Hilton Head Island" is a waterway called Broad Creek, the most likely spot for our male to catch his fish. The osprey also have the Atlantic Ocean for a fishing option.
From what I just read, we will not be able to tell the sex of the chicks. In North America a necklace (bib) on the chest of an adult osprey normally indicates a female, while a white chest is normally a male.
As chicks age we might see necklaces, though it is not a positive sign of sex. The issue becomes even more difficult considering that almost all juvenile Ospreys show a somewhat prominent necklace. Also, an osprey’s age is a factor in determining sex. Plumage changes occur as a juvenile osprey reaches adulthood and a necklace could disappear.
It is fairly accurate to assume the sex of an Osprey by the lack or presence of a necklace, but it can be fallible in many instances, the age factor. So we may not know if our three chicks are male or female.
I've been watching mama osprey for about 20 minutes, and she looked like she didn't know what to do with herself. Chicks are fed and full and cuddled up nicely asleep. I believe she might be doing a little housekeeping now. What fun!
Yes, those are nice full crops. With the beautiful close ups this morning, I was finally able to see them. Beautiful little chicks are growing fast. Thanks!
I noticed that "GJ" was letting the others eat this morning and noticed the full crops, especially on "DS". I guess dad has been busy fishing already this morning.
From what I can see on the cam, all three chicks are doing very well. I think and hope enough time has gone by so that DS is out of the woods now and will continue to thrive.
All 3 chicks appear to be healthy and prospering! Thanks be for the abundance of fish in the area.
Realist said "Thanks be for the abundance of fish in the area." I've seen many fishermen who wouldn't agree. They just don't have the eyesight and ability that our papa osprey has!
I just tuned in and noticed there is a motionless "lump" at the 12 o clock position of the nest's edge. Brrrr...is that DS???? I can only see the partial back and tail of the adult and one chick to its right side.
All three chicks are accounted for and are at their usual spot...left edge of the nest. The object in question appears to be a combination of bark, moss, and twigs...not DS.
2:57pm Feeding time. I just have to thank you again for the wonderful closeups of the chicks eating. Whoever is working the camera...Thank You!!! The chicks are so cute. Growing, growing...and that's a good thing.
You're welcome Mary Pat. It is amazing to witness how fast these chicks are growing. All three are being fed quite well so maybe all three will eventually fledge.
Moderator--I just watched a feeding, and wonder when the chicks will start to eat on their own. Or will mama continue to feed them as long as they are in the nest? Looks like mama knows how to pick those fish clean. What a delight.
I'm not sure about that, but I will look into it and report back on the blog. I did see "MG" and "DS" both pick at a fish yesterday with no prompting from mom or dad.
I believe I just saw the dad bring a small fish and finding that no one was interested, flew away with it. Did that happen? Perhaps he needed a meal as well.\ Toni
I wasn't watching the cam at the time, but it is very possible because within the last two hours all three chicks and the female consumed two flounder so I am sure they are stuffed.
Five posts above a commentator asked if and when the chicks would begin to feed themselves. From what I found out at about six weeks old osprey chicks will begin to feed themselves, which coincides with fledging.
Thanks, Moderator, for the info on the chicks feeding themselves. It looks like about the last week of May is when mama osprey will get a break from all the feeding she's been doing. Of course, papa osprey will still need to bring in the fish.
LAST NIGHT'S SUNSET WAS SO LOVELY ......THIS MUST BE A SPECIAL TIME THE PARENTS. THE SUN SHINING ON MOM'S FEATHERS WAS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS AWESOME TREAT SO MEMORABLE. IS IS NORMAL FOR THE LITTLE ONE TO HAVE A COPPER THROAT?
It looked like at least two of the chicks were trying to get at a fish in the middle of the nest while mama osprey stood by. Wonder if this is some kind of training mama is doing--getting the chicks ready. They have abandoned the fish and seem to be ready for a snooze.
Ok, that baby needs to get back to the center of the nest and mama osprey needs to scold him! How it makes my heart race seeing them about the nest! I cannot believe how much the have grown :)
I sure hope there is more to those edges than appear in the camera view! OK, papa just brought in a fish so let's get the chicks back toward the middle.
I'm on Hilton Head, pretty close to the tower, and so far we haven't gotten any hail today. It was difficult to watch the nest during the rain though. Mama osprey is so diligent taking care of and protecting her little chicks.
So glad the camera got fixed--I live around the corner from the nest. Although there was no hail, the heavy rain and winds must be very difficult on mom and the babies. I was so upset when the camera froze last night and couldn't see how the family was doing! These parents are fantastic--it is such a priviledge to be able to watch them grow! Thanks to Palmetto for doing such a fine job--the close-ups are amazing. Moderator--Any chance of getting a camera on the osprey nest on the HH bridge too? They always seem to have success with their chicks! Thanks to you too for all the good info on ospreys--we are learning alot!
Suz, we are not looking at placing a camera at the Intercoastal Waterway nest at this time. We are assessing the cost of updating our current osprey camera for a video/audio streaming camera.
Last night's storm knocked us off line, but we had it back up and running early this morning. Hopefully that will be the last offline instance we have while the osprey family is on the nest.
41 comments:
I have a condo on Folly Field and frequent the island. Whenever I see osprey flying overhead with fish in feet, I wonder about our little feathered family. Wouldn't it be great to circle above the nest and take a peek in! Your camera and comments bring us so close to the real thing. Thanks from another supporter.
Vivian
Mother hasnt even finished feeding them and he brings in another fish..what a good man.. Our poor little runt just had gotten started feeding , GJ had to get his fill he is a big boy.. This is so fun
Kat
Why is mama feeding them right at the edge? I hope she is teaching them "This far and no farther!"
V.
We noticed that too Kat. There are two flounder on the nest. Maybe "GJ" will fill his/her belly and sleep so "MG" and "DS" can eat in peace. The two fish the male caught this morning were very small and "GJ" ate most of each one. The small fish could be because of the storms that past through yesterday afternoon/evening making fishing difficult until now.
GREAT PICTURES..how and when if ever will be be able to tell if the chicks are male or female?
Thanks for the map :-)
I'm wondering how far does the adult need to fly to get fish?
There are countless lagoons located all over Hilton Head and if you look at the map just under the text "Hilton Head Island" is a waterway called Broad Creek, the most likely spot for our male to catch his fish. The osprey also have the Atlantic Ocean for a fishing option.
One of our commentators asked..."how and when if ever will be be able to tell if the chicks are male or female?"
To be honest, I have no idea. Maybe one of our bloggers can answer that question while I attempt to find out. I've been wondering that myself.
"MG" and "DS" are stuffing themselves to their gills while "GJ" is asleep. If you notice the osprey chicks crops are quite full.
From what I just read, we will not be able to tell the sex of the chicks. In North America a necklace (bib) on the chest of an adult osprey normally indicates a female, while a white chest is normally a male.
As chicks age we might see necklaces, though it is not a positive sign of sex. The issue becomes even more difficult considering that almost all juvenile Ospreys show a somewhat prominent necklace. Also, an osprey’s age is a factor in determining sex. Plumage changes occur as a juvenile osprey reaches adulthood and a necklace could disappear.
It is fairly accurate to assume the sex of an Osprey by the lack or presence of a necklace, but it can be fallible in many instances, the age factor. So we may not know if our three chicks are male or female.
I've been watching mama osprey for about 20 minutes, and she looked like she didn't know what to do with herself. Chicks are fed and full and cuddled up nicely asleep. I believe she might be doing a little housekeeping now. What fun!
Vivian
Yes, those are nice full crops. With the beautiful close ups this morning, I was finally able to see them. Beautiful little chicks are growing fast. Thanks!
Vivian
Good morning Vivian!
I noticed that "GJ" was letting the others eat this morning and noticed the full crops, especially on "DS". I guess dad has been busy fishing already this morning.
From what I can see on the cam, all three chicks are doing very well. I think and hope enough time has gone by so that DS is out of the woods now and will continue to thrive.
All 3 chicks appear to be healthy and prospering! Thanks be for the abundance of fish in the area.
Realist said "Thanks be for the abundance of fish in the area." I've seen many fishermen who wouldn't agree. They just don't have the eyesight and ability that our papa osprey has!
Vivian
I just tuned in and noticed there is a motionless "lump" at the 12 o clock position of the nest's edge.
Brrrr...is that DS????
I can only see the partial back and tail of the adult and one chick to its right side.
All three chicks are accounted for and are at their usual spot...left edge of the nest. The object in question appears to be a combination of bark, moss, and twigs...not DS.
Thank you sooooo much for confirming!! I'm rooting for all three to fledge....
2:57pm Feeding time. I just have to thank you again for the wonderful closeups of the chicks eating. Whoever is working the camera...Thank You!!! The chicks are so cute. Growing, growing...and that's a good thing.
Mary Pat
You're welcome Mary Pat. It is amazing to witness how fast these chicks are growing. All three are being fed quite well so maybe all three will eventually fledge.
Moderator--I just watched a feeding, and wonder when the chicks will start to eat on their own. Or will mama continue to feed them as long as they are in the nest?
Looks like mama knows how to pick those fish clean. What a delight.
Vivian
Vivian,
I'm not sure about that, but I will look into it and report back on the blog. I did see "MG" and "DS" both pick at a fish yesterday with no prompting from mom or dad.
I believe I just saw the dad bring a small fish and finding that no one was interested, flew away with it. Did that happen? Perhaps he needed a meal as well.\
Toni
I wasn't watching the cam at the time, but it is very possible because within the last two hours all three chicks and the female consumed two flounder so I am sure they are stuffed.
Thank you so much for all the information you provide for us. It is truly a great experience to be able to watch this process.
Toni
Five posts above a commentator asked if and when the chicks would begin to feed themselves. From what I found out at about six weeks old osprey chicks will begin to feed themselves, which coincides with fledging.
Thanks, Moderator, for the info on the chicks feeding themselves. It looks like about the last week of May is when mama osprey will get a break from all the feeding she's been doing. Of course, papa osprey will still need to bring in the fish.
Vivian
LAST NIGHT'S SUNSET WAS SO LOVELY ......THIS MUST BE A SPECIAL TIME THE PARENTS. THE SUN SHINING ON MOM'S FEATHERS WAS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS AWESOME TREAT SO MEMORABLE.
IS IS NORMAL FOR THE LITTLE ONE TO HAVE A COPPER THROAT?
Juvenile birds are readily identified by the buff fringes to the upperpart plumage, buff tone to the underparts, and streaked crown.
It looked like at least two of the chicks were trying to get at a fish in the middle of the nest while mama osprey stood by. Wonder if this is some kind of training mama is doing--getting the chicks ready. They have abandoned the fish and seem to be ready for a snooze.
Vivian
Ok, that baby needs to get back to the center of the nest and mama osprey needs to scold him! How it makes my heart race seeing them about the nest! I cannot believe how much the have grown :)
I sure hope there is more to those edges than appear in the camera view! OK, papa just brought in a fish so let's get the chicks back toward the middle.
Vivian
Looks like our little chicks are really trying to flap their wings this morning. Beautiful day on Hilton Head.
Vivian
Is there camera problems this morning or is it my computer..
thanks
kat
One of our techs is working on port switches so viewers may experience intermittent service.
Yeah. The chicks are in the middle of the nest!! They look so good. They will be fledging before we know it.
Mary Pat
Checked on the weather for Hilton Head and it doesn't sound good.
Possible nickel sized hail??
Will they be okay through this bad storm?
At last check mom was covering the chicks from all the rain and hail so they should be ok.
I'm on Hilton Head, pretty close to the tower, and so far we haven't gotten any hail today. It was difficult to watch the nest during the rain though. Mama osprey is so diligent taking care of and protecting her little chicks.
Vivian
Phenomenal mom!
I hope she doesn't sustain any injury
Thank you for your update
Terrible weather for all creatures and humans, too. I'll pray for the best.
So glad the camera got fixed--I live around the corner from the nest. Although there was no hail, the heavy rain and winds must be very difficult on mom and the babies. I was so upset when the camera froze last night and couldn't see how the family was doing! These parents are fantastic--it is such a priviledge to be able to watch them grow! Thanks to Palmetto for doing such a fine job--the close-ups are amazing. Moderator--Any chance of getting a camera on the osprey nest on the HH bridge too? They always seem to have success with their chicks! Thanks to you too for all the good info on ospreys--we are learning alot!
Suz, we are not looking at placing a camera at the Intercoastal Waterway nest at this time. We are assessing the cost of updating our current osprey camera for a video/audio streaming camera.
Last night's storm knocked us off line, but we had it back up and running early this morning. Hopefully that will be the last offline instance we have while the osprey family is on the nest.
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