Blog #403 Before Taking the Plunge


Makani flappersizing.


The Salt Point fledglings—chicks within two weeks of flight—are nearing six weeks old and look impressive with their adult-feathered bodies. The upper body feathers are covered with preening oil (uropygial oil) to give them a waterproof covering, just in time for summer storms. Ursula sits in the nest 


Ursula leaves the fledglings alone in the nest.



Makani and Lani flappersizing.


when she can, trying to shield them from the extremes of weather, but her protection isn’t as effective and essential as it once was. The fledglings can regulate their temperature now and insulate themselves with their protective feathers, trapping air within the soft layer on their chests and underneath the flight 


Lani defecating off the nest.


feathers. Temperatures were like a roller-coaster plunging from scorching hot to damp cold and back to hot during the spring. Ursula has shielded the young from the hottest sun but they can easily withstand periods left alone provided there are no predators in the area.


Ursula and sometimes Orpheus will feed the offspring, although they are capable of feeding themselves. The hungry youngsters stand and beg for food, motivating the parents to feed them. The chicks are usually fed in a pecking order with the boldest and biggest being first in line. This is a survival strategy for when times are tough and food is scarce, ensuring the fittest and strongest survive. However, the food in 

Cayuga Lake is plentiful, and there doesn’t seem to be any problems for the youngsters. Orpheus is an efficient hunter, often delivering more than the family can eat. The nestlings are all developing healthily thanks to plenty of good nourishment. 


The fledglings are still a week and a half away from their first flights and are practicing for this first journey. The boldest and strongest chicks, Moana and Makani, tend to rule the roost and are dominant over the youngest chick, Lani, at mealtimes. Lani’s reaction is not to fight back but to passively turn away until it is his turn. Moana and Makani are feisty females in the making, preparing to rule their roosts someday. Hopefully, Lani will probably take after Orpheus as an excellent provider. Some adult males ignore their begging mates when they are hungry, but Orpheus is a diligent provider. Male mates that ignore their hungry females end up divorcing without offspring. 


Offspring discovered an intruder overhead and were about to scream in alarm.


Madame X, an intruding Osprey that spent part of June sharing the nest in an awkward threesome, has not been seen in weeks and no longer disrupts the family. Other unwelcome visitors, including several male intruders and a pair of immature bald eagles, keep a close eye on the Salt Point nest, occasionally causing the family much distress. Earlier in the season, the parents would mantle the young, protecting their offspring with their wings, and calling and staring skywards as the shadow of these predators pass overhead. Now the fledglings follow suit, brashly giving alarm calls at whatever large dark bird is in the territory. These visits perturb the family but cause few real disruptions as the young are too large for the eagles to steal. The only real danger to a fledgling at this point is an attack by a great-horned owl or accidentally falling from the nest before it can fly. 


Eyes to the sky!

Candace


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point, Lansing, NY

Cayuga Lake Osprey Network

cec222@gmail.com

  



EYES TO THE SKY!


WATCH!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam


READ!

On Osprey Time: Ospreys of the Finger Lakes


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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