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Recent Events

July 4

Tuesday 22nd. After starting the day with a few wing stretches, our three chicks then settled down for a snooze. It's amazing that when they are lying still, asleep, they can hardly be seen they are so well camourflaged: the juvenile feathers are brown with creamy white tips, giving a mottled effect which blends perfectly with the sticks of the nest. Both the older chicks are now walking properly, up on their feet, but the youngest, BA, is still walking on its hocks, reminding us that it is nearly a week younger than BB. The chicks are also doing a little 'nest-work', moving sticks around the nest.

All three chicks have been doing lots of wing stretching and flapping, as well as preening. All this energy use means that there is a huge demand for food, which EP is meeting, apparently with ease - the chicks never seem to be waiting for food. Now the weather has improved, fishing is less challenging.

Thurs 24th. Lovely picture this morning of the whole family on the nest together - not something we see very often. H/D was later trying to brood all the chicks, but they are just too big to fit under her wings now! After lunch,  08 and BB were doing vigorous wing excercises, scarily close to the edge of the nest, and even became airborne for a few seconds. BA just kept on eating, which could be why its catching up so fast!
Friday was another very windy day, with 08 and BB struggling to stand upright, whilst BA just snuggled down low in the nest. By the evening we had rain as well, and there were three very wet chicks standing together on the nest.

Sat 26th started very peacefully, all of the chicks asleep for at least part of the morning. Early afternoon all three chicks were near the edge of the nest, looking out, and we got quite excited, hoping BB was going to fly - but no luck. About an hour later, BB was again on the edge, flapping and stretching its wings, rising a little way off the nest. Then, suddenly, BB wasn't there!!, and two apparently curious siblings were left. Half an hour later, BB returned to land gracefully and expertly back on the nest - unlike a few years ago, when one of our ospreys was stranded further up the tree for hours, lacking the courage to fly down again. BB, now exhausted, settled in the middle of the nest and went to sleep. Later on BB had a couple more short flights, returning rapidly when the female called because EP had arrived with fish.

When we first looked on Sunday, BB was already out flying, leaving his nest-bound siblings behind. Later we saw H/D and BB sitting together on a nearby branch,  surveying the nest. Was BB looking a little smug?!
Whenever EP brings a fish, BB very quickly returns, so it's not going far.
First thing on Monday all three chicks were on the nest, but BB very soon left to practice its new skill of flying. It shouldn't be long before 08 joins in, but not today.
All three chicks on the nest on Tuesday morning, but BB left after being fed.  Early afternoon we really thought that 08 was off: for about a minute it stretched and flapped and hovered over the nest, then settled down again. Then at last, at 3pm, 08 took off properly, coming back 10 minutes later. Two flying, one to go!

Another miserable, wet, windy day on Wednesday. BB was feeding itself, the other two were dozing deep in the center of the nest. 08 and BB both went off during the morning, but when H/D brought fish mid-afternoon, all three chicks returned to the nest. Although they were all standing in line, waiting to be fed, they were helping themselves to the odd mouthful while they waited. As the other chicks flew off, BA was left with the fish, and continued eating - still catching up! Later on we saw a bit of a tussle over a small fish which EP brought - first BB grabbed it, then 08 siezed it before BB got it again - and nobody wanted to share! For once,there appeared not to be enough to satisfy everyone.

The month  ended wet and windy - it's just that sort of summer! BA was home-alone first thing, but was soon joined by H/D, then BB arrived,  almost landing on mum, when EP brought a fish. H/D fed both chicks,  although they are well able  to feed themselves  - just like teenagers! Within half an hour EP had brought two more fish, then a flounder an hour later - and we were worried he wouldn't be able to cope, how wrong we were! BA did quite a lot of  'flying practice' today, will he fly soon?