Glaslyn Ospreys

Yes they do the parents will bring a fish and just leave it for them. The one time I saw a problem was at Bassenthwaite when a Pike was brought back still kicking, and the young seemed genuinely scared of that mouth, dad took it off to a nearby branch and brought it back headless and the youngsters tucked in quite happily
 
Err, Dad, we don't like the way its smiling at us.
Oh for goodness sake!

I felt sorry for Mrs G yesterday spread out as far as she could over them in the rain. But the two oldest are really getting some proper feathers now. Will they go for first flights and return?
When the blackbird chicks left the nest out in the ivy out the back a couple of days ago it was sudden and with no apparent plan whatsoever. Suddenly there were baby blackbirds out of the nest like popcorn and frantic parents getting cross, especially when one came in through the back door and I had to pick it up with gloves and put it on the coop roof away from the local cats. Flew straight back down to the floor - at least one didn't last the day.
 
Reminds me of the time a juvenile robin flew down in front of the foraging hens, it didn't last long. But then again if every fledging survived we would be knee deep in Blue Tits, Robins, Blackbirds.
Always worrying when the young Ospreys practice wing flapping on the nest edge, with a lot of wobbling going on, it's a long way down. Luckily they have a wonderful way of hanging on
 
It's been fairly quiet at Glaslyn but there's lots happening at the Dyfi project. The three chicks there have been ringed and named, two females and a male. They have posted a video clip of a young heron hunting below the nest with both the parents dive bombing it until they managed to chase it off. It was there for over an hour apparently although the video clip is only 3 minutes long. The heron makes the most incredible noises!
 
I see what you mean Margaid. Lots of flapping practice going on and I was wondering when they would stop walking on their heels (elbows? no heels probably.) The heron video isn't streaming on the train but will defiantly check it out back home.
How much older are they?
 
Dyfi project have just posted the ringing video on FaceBook. It's absolutely fantastic! The ringer is obviously very experienced but apparently the parents don't attack but fly around calling to the chicks to "play dead". Together with their camouflage feathers, it is the chicks only defence against predators at this stage. Some fabulous close up shots of the three of them. They are 32, 36 and 37 days old and "Bobby Bach", now named Eitha is the same weight as her older sister Menai.
 
Totally awesome!!! I wondered why they were so well behaved.
Apparently herons will eat chick given half a chance and after getting some scale (wow) from the ringing video that's pretty crazy too!
 
Mrs G's chicks have been ringed! Where do you find if they are boys or girls etc? (I was hoping for some close up photos like at Dyfi.)
 
Someone asked that question on FaceBook - the details will be posted later. If you go to the top of the screen and click on HOME, then scroll almost to the very bottom you will find the FaceBook link. They don't post as much the Dyfi crowd and are possibly not quite as skilled/experienced at putting videos together... But I can't do any of it so am very grateful for anything they post!
 
I found this:
http://ukospreys.uk/darvic-blue2chr.htm
They are the last entry - all boys!
 
Missed your reply Rick - Glaslyn have posted a photo and info about their weight etc on their FaceBook page.
 
It's so great to see the oldest one standing up and stretching his wings out. He looks like a proper bird now.
What seemed an enormous nest when there were only 3 eggs in it doesn't look over-roomy at all now.

I wonder if Mrs G really wanted girls? My in-laws wanted a girl but gave up after the fourth boy.
 
Amazing to think in 60+ days those wings will be sending them to Africa. Hopefully in three years one or more will make it back
 
I wonder - and not expecting any definitive answer -
but I wonder if they are anticipating being able to fly or whether the reason for their beautiful adaptations will come as a complete revelation when instinct launches them over the edge.
 
I notice they're beginning to spread their wings, although so far their legs seem too weak to support them properly and they're sort of hobbling round the nest. Maybe this is an adaptation to stop them getting too near the edge too early to fly?
 
I've got a theory...
I think they extend their talons more easily with an extended leg. So walking on heals like that keeps talons safely curled up. Mrs G moves that way as well when near to the chicks and not dishing out a fish.
Maybe.
 
Both chicks at Rutland have fledged but they were about 2 weeks older than Glaslyn. Aeron, the male at Dyfi, and Menai one of the female chicks look almost ready to go. Lots of "helicoptering". Glaslyn chicks have now been ringed - on the nest! Rather him than me working 70 feet off the ground!
 
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