FIRST NEW ARRIVAL OF 2023

Well, Border Ospreys chick #1 of 2023 didn’t hang around. When JW6 gave us a quick look at the eggs at 1234, there didn’t appear to be any movement, although parts of them were covered with some straw but she was certainly lifting her body higher, supporting herself on her wings which looked suspiciously like there was some action going on underneath. By 1550, the first chick had fully emerged and was making its presence felt by tickling its mum with its movement, causing her to twitch and shuffle almost constantly. She had a very startled look on her face and was unable to sit still; a very amusing spectacle.

Samson brought in half a pike just after 1700 and then proceeded to stand completely in the way of the camera so we couldn’t see if the little one was going to be offered or to take any food or not.

JW6 was certainly bending down offering pieces to the chick but it seemed too unsteady to hold itself up at that early stage for feeding. Samson eventually moved out of the way and JW6 shuffled round and by 1720, the little one had taken two tiny pieces of fish from her.

JW6 was very confident in her feeding technique, such a difference from exactly a year ago when she was learning to feed her first ever chick. Amazing what a bit of experience can do.

I’m not making any predictions about when we might see movement from either of the other eggs but I will let you know as soon as we see anything.