Despite all our positive vibes and its best efforts, I’m sorry to announce that chick 3 died this morning at about 1030. It was very weak and wobbly first thing and made no effort to try for food although chick 2 could still not resist giving it a couple of pecks as it passed. The appetites of both larger chicks, but particularly no 2, are enormous at present and it is doubtful whether it would have succeeded in getting any food even if it could have made the effort. It burrowed in between its siblings between fish deliveries but you could tell that it was running out of strength and the siblings seemed to sense it too, making little effort to avoid standing on it and treating it like a piece of nesting material.
It was always likely to be quite an ask in view of the fluctuating fish supplies to raise all 3 chicks but I just loved this little one’s attitude and nerve. I’m trying to be dispassionate about this but I feel so sad that it didn’t survive (it was 4 weeks old today); at least there should be enough food now available for the other two siblings.
I’ll hopefully bring more cheerful news in my next blog.
Border Ospreys 
Reblogged this on Site Title.
LikeLike
Oh dear
How sad
It’s like coming to a bad part in a book 🫣
Nature is cruel as they say
and survival of the fittest but these “ isms” doesn’t stop it being sad !
A delicate question … but curious
Do the birds dispose of the remains themselves eg toss over side or does it stay there and just decay ?
We are monitoring at very close
quarters a couple of pigeons ..( not at all on same scale as the Ospreys !!! ) outside the bathroom . They are at eye level as we clean our teeth each day !! They’re nesting in our Clematis and they have successfully hatched a pair of little squabs who are now visible , as they grow so fast .. above the nest !!
We listen and look like worried parents as we have very avaricious magpies around and cats who would love to have a go !!!
So vulnerable fledglings on our minds !!!
It’s not nice when they don’t make it
Sorry to hear Rosie once again
He / she sounded a plucky little thing
Lynn and John
LikeLike
Many birds of prey actually eat any offspring that die on the nest but ospreys, as fish eaters, will usually remove the body at some stage, rather than consume it.
LikeLike
That’s sad Rosie. We’ll have to start forgiving Chick 2 now and hope they both do well.
LikeLike
So sorry to read this sad news Rosie. It certainly tried hard to survive but didn’t have the strength. Hopefully the other 2 will continue to grow big and strong.
LikeLike
Thanks Rosie. Really sorry about the little one.
LikeLike
Sad, but that’s nature for you despite all the best efforts.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear this Rosie. It must have been hard for you to watch the chicks deterioration. Let’s hope the other two thrive and fledge successfully.
LikeLike
So sad that this can happen. Its nature I know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rosie. I fear there will be more chicks that fail as the UK population grows and there is more completition for nests and for food. Nature will regulate by whatever method it needs.
Joan
LikeLiked by 1 person