On Osprey Time

  O’Leary takes off from his favorite perch, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek. Like going to school for the first time, the fledgling youngsters from Salt Point are being exposed to a whole new world beyond the nest. The 30-40-day post-fledging period, which runs from fledging until each bird migrates, is spent honing the life skills necessary for survival. First migrations are journeys of unknowns, hunger, and hazards that test the fledgling’s will and ability to survive. It is vital that each young bird starts her migration in the best physical and behavioral condition possible. Laying down enough fuel in the form of fat is essential for a sucesful migration. Departing on migration underweight and in poor condition is usually fatal. Newly fledged Ospreys exhibit only modest control as they beat their wings continuously to stay in flight. Gaining altitude can be as problematic as steering. The youngsters stay close to the nest for their first week before venturing farther. As their confiden

  Ursula and two of her offspring waiting for Orpheus to arrive with food, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek. With the fledglings flying about, the nest looks empty, and it is most of the day. However, the nest is still a noisy family meeting place for meals and a refuge for sleeping fledglings. The siblings’ days are spent practicing important survival and life skills derived from combinations of instinctive (nature) and learned (nurture) behaviors. Ursula takes it easy in the shade of the cottonwoods as she is no longer needed by her family. She’s begun feeding herself to make up for the weight she lost over the breeding season and visits the nest at mealtime happy to nibble at a fish. After she has regained her strength, she will migrate to her wintering spot somewhere in South America, dodging hurricanes along the way. At noon today, Ursula went to the nest calling for food. She was joined by fledglings O’Connor, O’Leary and O’Shea in an ear-piercing chorus of begging that probably travel

  O’Leary in flight, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek. They’ve taken to the sky, euphorically banking turns and touching the lake surface with their talons. The Salt Point fledglings O’Connor, O’Leary, and O’Shea took their maiden flights beginning on July 8th and are now perfecting their aerial skills. These free-flying young birds needed no coaxing from their parents to leave the nest but always return to the nest for mealtime. Finally able to touch the sky, the fledglings chase each other around the nest area, dipping into the lake and flying high. They are a marvel to watch. The fledgling plumage continues to grow on their wings and tail with the flight feathers still much shorter than an adult’s. They will retain their amber eyes and buff wing tips as their adult feathers continue to grow. As the young develop more flying skills, look for them in the cottonwoods along Salmon Creek. Steady landings are a constant challenge for young fliers as they struggle to coordinate their wings and t