Blog #404 Flight School 2022


Lani testing his wings, courtesy of Cynthia Sedlacek.


To say it’s noisy at the Salt Point Nest this week is no exaggeration. The fledgling Osprey, when not asleep, constantly cry out in excitement as they approach their first flights. Moana turned seven weeks on yesterday and will probably fledge this week. Her siblings are not far behind. All three fledglings are learning to synchronize jumping in the air with vigorous wing beats as their coordination grows. 

 

The three fledglings are adult-sized, leaving little room for her parents in the nest. When not feeding the youngsters, Ursula keeps an eye on her brood in the nest from a nearby branch. At 6–7 weeks old, the siblings can feed themselves. If Ursula is at the nest when Orpheus delivers a fish, she will maintain order, feeding one chick at a time. If Ursula is not in the nest for the delivery a commotion ensues as the chicks struggle for the fish. Sometimes a chick will grab and mantle the fish to keep others away while picking away at the food. The fledges rarely finish the whole fish, letting the parents finish the job.


Most Ospreys fledge between 7–8 weeks old. The week leading up to the maiden flight is marked by such powerful flaps that the youngster is lifted off the nest, first by a few inches, and then by a few feet. After 3 or 4 days of practicing this lift-off or so-called ‘helicoptering’, the young bird can sometimes rise 3 feet above the nest. This is a clear sign that the fledge is ready to fly: there is just one barrier left—gaining enough bravery to launch themselves into the air and leave the safely of the nest. Each chick is an individual with its level of fear and apprehension: they wait on the nest rim waiting to muster enough courage to take off. Sometimes an unexpected breeze will lift a helicoptering fledge up and off the nest, resulting in an unexpected first flight. At other times the fledge will leap off the nest edge and fly.


Moana helicoptering, courtesy of Sedlacek.


Regardless of the fledging mechanism, the mother, in this instance Ursula, will be on high alert protectively watching her offspring. Once the fledge takes off, Ursula will follow it, shadowing it to prevent it from flying too far. Flying is instinctive, and the fledges tend to be rather skillful on their maiden flight. Landing is another story and takes a great deal more practice to land safely. The parents may guide the fledgling back to the nest as first-time landings on branches and snags can take a great deal of practice to master. Maiden flights are usually taken on a warm breezy morning. Strong wind and storms can blow the young prematurely out of the nest leaving the fledge marooned on the ground. If the young Osprey is in a safe place, leave it alone, but keep an eye out for predators and hazards. It will most likely fly up to the nest once it composes itself. If the bird looks uninjured but is in a dangerous site, throw a blanket over the bird and slide it to a safer location. Again, keep an eye out for predators like foxes.


If you find an injured Osprey or another animal, please immediately notify the Janet L. Swanson Wildlife Health Center at 607-253-3060. The Swanson Center, an annex of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, is a veterinary hospital dedicated solely to the treatment of ill or injured native wild animals. They provide expert medical and surgical care for over 1,000 patients annually, from locally and across the state of New York, to release them back to the wild. The Wildlife Health Center operates within Cornell University, a registered nonprofit, and relies largely on public donations.


An unsure Moana getting her first air, courtesy of Cynthia Sedlacek.




Eyes to the sky!


Candace


Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point, Lansing, NY

Cayuga Lake Osprey Network

cec222@gmail.com

  

Guest Photographer:


Cynthia Sedlacek’s affection and admiration for raptors are evident in her exciting photographs primarily of Ospreys nesting around Cayuga Lake and the red-tailed hawks of the Cornell Campus. An accomplished musician and a data analyst for Cornell, Cindy gives us a unique view of these spectacular raptors capturing their wild natures. Cindy and her husband Karel are avid nest monitors for the Cayuga Lake Osprey Network and video stream footage of the campus hawks.


EYES ON OSPREYS


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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