Blog #409 After Fledging
Lani dives sharply toward the water, courtesy of CE Cornell.
The Osprey nest may look empty at times during the rest of the month, but it is still the site of regular family meals and lots of commotion. The fledges still use the nest to nap, although the
Moana resting in a tree, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek.
shady trees are becoming preferable. In between bouts of play and fishing practice, the fledglings tend to rest on the nest or nearby snags and open branches.
Lani playing with the water and practicing fishing, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek.
It was impressive that Orpheus was able to feed his family despite the sediment-laden floodwaters over the last few days. Even when Salmon Creek was the color of chocolate milk, Orpheus was still able to catch white suckers and brown bullheads from its waters. In the aftermath of the storms, the calm, glass-like lake was good for plucking fish near the surface.
The post-fledging dependence period varies. At Salt Point, it often lasts over a month. Every year, Orpheus feeds his offspring until the day they migrate in mid-September. Although a juvenile Osprey is capable of fishing for itself, it will still take its father’s free meals at the nest. Fathers continue to fish for their young at about the same rate as before fledging throughout much of the post-fledging dependence period regardless of its duration.
Young fledges play with objects and chase siblings and other birds while learning to fish. Flying after siblings and playing tag is a popular sport among young ospreys, as well as pestering other birds such as crows, gulls, great blue herons, kestrels, merlins, and peregrines. Attacking an eagle in jest could be a deadly mistake. Fledglings begin manipulating clumps of moss, algae strands, sticks, and twigs and taking them to the nest within four days of fledging.
Fledgling teasing a duck, courtesy of Jo McIntyre.
Moana flew with a twig from the nest within the hour of her maiden flight. The fledglings seem keen on rearranging the nest interior and do so for many days, but they don’t contribute to the nest maintenance. The Salt Point fledges have been fussing with their nest during breaks in the rain, repositioning sticks and moving nest contents around, but when it is pounding rain, they hide in the trees and doze.
Fledglings worldwide have similar reactions to intruders flying by their nests. At first, the young spread their wings, protectively mantling the nest and giving alarm calls. As they get older, they are joined by their parents in giving chase. There have been several intruders lately, giving the fledglings training in defense. Fledges are also known to beg food from neighboring nests.
Orpheus fishing for his family, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek.
Orpheus’ role as the adult male keeps changing throughout the breeding period. During the nesting and fledging phases, Orpheus gives fish to Ursula to feed to the young, but during the post-fledging phase, both Orpheus and Ursula hunt and leave whole or partially consumed fish in the nest for the young to divide.
Beginning on the fledge day, the fledglings settle food disputes by stealing fish sections and carrying them off to a perch to eat. The young may move a fish from perch to perch as it is chased by a sibling. Nest mates fighting over fish is commonplace and increases in intensity over time until the birds start fishing for themselves. Often the eldest, most developed, and aggressive fledge steals the fish. Perhaps this motivates the younger siblings to become independent. Unfortunately, these cases often end in the fish being dropped and not recovered.
Lani enjoying his new freedom.
Their early flights with gliding flights interspersed with wing beating can be clumsy, especially if the wind is strong; the fledglings need time to learn the nuances of flight. Gradually, the young explore the area farther and farther from the nest: flights now include flying north over the lake at the North Cove and to the south along the near shore of Salmon Creek. Soon the fledglings will expand their flights east to include a wide loop around Salt Point. One pattern is clear: the skills of the fledges keep improving with age. As a fledge becomes more practiced, its flights become more elaborate, longer, and more frequent as they expand the area they explore.
Eyes to the sky!
Candace
Candace E. Cornell
Friends of Salt Point, Lansing, NY
Cayuga Lake Osprey Network
Guest Photographer:
Cynthia Sedlacek, musician and Director of Data Administration and Reporting at Cornell University, is a surprising artistic talent. Cynthia’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. Her photographs of local Ospreys are incomparable as she captures their essence, their jizz, and their inner bird. From the hard-to-see nestlings to the fast-flying adults, Cindy goes beyond the pale to catch all aspects of Osprey life in the Cayuga Basin. Cindy and her husband Karel are also avid nest monitors for the Cayuga Lake Osprey Network and video stream footage of the campus hawks.
EYES TO THE SKY!
WATCH!
READ!
On Osprey Time: Ospreys of the Finger Lakes
VISIT!
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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