Well, if we thought 9J7 (chick 2) took her time to go, it was nothing in comparison with 9J6 (Titch). In the end, it was quite comedic with her on the tip of the nest perch and she kept looking down and almost shuddering (like the hero in a silent movie) but she eventually went at 0936 this morning, did a very brief fly around and then landed back on the perch again. I don’t know about you but I was trying to encourage her as she built up her courage…and then watched it subside again. That said, I wouldn’t be too happy at launching myself off a 100ft cliff and having to rely on instinct to work my wings and tail properly, so I have some sympathy for her.
So that’s all of them fledged and an empty nest for the first time since the first egg was laid on 22 Apr. Another sign that the end of the season is starting to approach is that I was told that yesterday Augusta brought in a fish that she caught herself. Her job has now been completed with all the chicks able to fly and leave the nest so she will disengage her bond with her chicks and will start on the business of building up her strength and fat reserves for her migration. If it’s anything like last year, Samson will stop bringing her fish and will concentrate on providing for the chicks, which is quite a challenge in itself. It seems a little harsh but she is quite capable of finding food for herself now she is no longer tied to guarding the nest.
The next few weeks are the most exciting time to be down watching the birds as it’s not often you can see potentially 5 ospreys in the same area, particularly when Samson brings in a fish and hungry ospreys seem to converge from every corner! Even though the nest will become less and less the centre of activity, it remains out of bounds to humans and the best views are still to be found along the river track or up on the road leading down to the car park.
Please continue to let me know of anything of interest you see from the camera view or if you’re down in person or any questions you may have. Leaving a comment on here is the best way to get in touch initially.
Border Ospreys 