A CHICKLESS NEST

After a fair amount of wing flapping, hopping, stepping and jumping, and generally faffing, C2 finally fledged today at 0946 and did a very competent circuit, even leading C1 onto the nest and making a smooth landing despite her bearing down behind him. As tends to happen, he then almost immediately took off again, and again, and again. You can only imagine what thoughts are going through a fledgling’s mind when they first take to the skies and experience the freedom that flight gives them.

C1 in the meantime has quickly gained lots of confidence on the wing and we were amazed to see her, when she was being mobbed by swallows, actually doing a barrel roll to chase them off. All it needed was the Battle of Britain theme music and we would have been set! She is quite happy to jump in and grab a fish from Samson, and even from Augusta’s talons, and she doesn’t give C2 a look in. He is going to have to push himself forward a bit more or he will lose out as Augusta steps back from her feeding duties and leaves the chicks to manage on their own.

If you’re in the area, it’s a good time to come and see the spectacular sight of 4 ospreys wheeling about the sky. However, you shouldn’t delay because it won’t last for long, as Augusta will be feeding herself up prior to migrating and will probably be gone by the middle of the month.