Blog # 392 Two Wee Bobbleheads


Ursula feeds her first two chicks (2 days and 0.5 days old).


While screening this morning’s footage, I was stunned to see two tiny bobble-headed hatchlings wiggling under their mother. Since the first egg did not fully hatch until about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, I assumed the next egg would hatch 48 hours later, making it tonight or tomorrow. Ursula is full of surprises and is proving herself a capable young mother so far. This morning’s footage shows her feeding a yellow perch to both hatchlings as well as eating some herself. Even though this is Orpheus’s ninth brood, he is acting more curious than ever about these wee creatures stirring in his nest. He often walks around the rim of the nest, looking as if envious of his incubating mate, and stopping to examine the young when Ursula lifts to readjust. 


One more egg to go. Third eggs are usually slightly less pigmented than the others in the clutch. This is probably due to Ursula having less pigment left in her shell gland produces the coloration by the time the third egg is laid.



The next six weeks will be one of miraculous growth and development for these hatchlings, and, thanks to the Salt Point Nest Camera, we will be able to watch and marvel as these newborn fuzzy tan balls grow into majestic Osprey before our eyes. Today, their wobbling heads, big eyes, and gaping mouths face their mother eagerly awaiting a meal. Ursula rips off a piece of yellow perch and places it in one enthusiastic mouth. As the chick wolfs down the perch, the other chick pushes forward peeping to claim the next bite. 


Ursula feeds fish to her two hatchlings as Orpheus looks on.


Parental duties modify as the breeding cycle progresses. Males are busier than ever catching fish for their expanding families. If hungry, Orpheus, like most males, takes the first bites starting with the head to sustain his energy before giving the remainder to his mate. Feeding rituals in the Osprey nest are worthy of Wild Kingdom as the mothers violently rip the wiggling fish apart before tenderly and carefully placing 

small bits of meat into eager begging mouths. The largest chick immediately dominates the feedings, but Ursula makes sure all are fed. Mothers typically eat last unless fish are abundant. Whatever food is leftover is eaten by the mother— fins, tails, and all. Since rapidly growing chicks have burgeoning appetites, mothers are often left hungry. 

Every unwanted intrusion toward the nest is met with alarms, shrieks, defensive posturing, and counter-attacks if necessary. Ursula stays in the nest protecting her brood as Orpheus does the combat.


Young hatchlings cannot thermoregulate (regulate their body temperature) and must be kept warm and secure by their mothers for their first three weeks. Females use their bodies to shield their eggs and young from the rain and hot sun. Hatchlings are especially vulnerable to cold wet weather in their first weeks and must be kept covered and dry. Mortality during the first weeks depends on the availability of food, the quality of nest construction, and the female’s ability to keep the young covered. Fishing in stormy weather is difficult causing chicks to starve during prolonged rain events. Orpheus can fish in the calmer Salmon Creek when it is windy on Cayuga Lake.


According to Poole (2019), the demand for fish by the young family doubles and then triples in the first twenty days after the chicks hatch as they pass through a critical growth period. This translates into a great deal of fishing for the father. Like humans, Ospreys each have individual thresholds for behaviors. There is a great variation among males in terms of their motivation to fish and sensitivity to their mate’s comfort. Some males will respond almost immediately when their hungry mate and offspring beg for food while others seem reluctant to hunt. Males typically spend a demanding 20%-30% of the day fishing when the nestlings are in this critical growth phase. After spending a third of the day fishing, the males reach their energetic limits. If you’ve ever seen an Osprey catch a fish after a 150-foot dive, you’ll understand why.


Eyes to the sky!

Candace


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point, Lansing, NY

Cayuga Lake Osprey Network


EYES TO THE SKY!


WATCH!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam


READ!

On Osprey Time: Ospreys of Salt Point


VISIT!

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail



HELP PROTECT OSPREYS:

  • Eggs will be hatching soon. Stay 300 feet away from nesting sites during the breeding season. If the Osprey vocalizes, you are too close! Back off Immediately.

  • Carry binoculars to view wildlife from afar.

  • Help keep local waters clean, healthy, and safe.

  • Recycle used fishing lines, twine, and nets, which can kill Osprey.

  • Join the Cayuga Osprey Network and volunteer to help monitor Osprey nests: cec222@gmail.com.



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