Blog #417 Dependence or Independence

Lani fished in Salmon Creek, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek.

It’s only been nearly four months since the eggs at the Salt Point Osprey nest gave way to this year’s nestlings, and now they are almost ready to migrate. They are named for three Hawaiian spirit gods: the eldest chick is Moana, meaning ocean; the middle chick is Makani (muh KAH nee) named for the wind; and the third and youngest is Lani, named for the sky. Like most Ospreys, each nestling has a mind of its own and learns at its own pace. All three of these birds developed rather quickly this summer, reaching the post-fledging dependency milestones of flying and fishing in mid-August, giving them plenty of time to perfect these skills before migrating to Central and South America later in mid-September.

Since the first brood at Salt Point in 2013, each phase of the breeding process from courtship to the post-fledging period has shortened, corresponding to Ophelia’s and Orpheus’s developing maturity as parents. The courtship period got shorter each year as the couple learned the ways of each other, and the provision of fish to the family became more regular and plentiful. In 2013, when Ophelia begged for food, it took Orpheus a while to supply comply. As the couple matured, Orpheus responded faster each year to her begging and giving his catch to her.

The dynamics at the nest changed abruptly this year. Ursula, presumed to be a young female, took over Ophelia’s place after Ursula’s late arrival. However, the trend of accelerated fledgling development continued, indicating that Orpheus’s development as a parent was the key driver of this efficiency.

Orpheus guards the family and provides meals at the nest, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek.

A unique aspect of the post-fledged dependency period in August and September is feeding the young as they learn to fish. Orpheus and other fathers in the Northeast place fish in their nests 2–3 times a day during this period to insure their offspring have the energy needed to learn these life skills and develop their autonomy. The fledglings’ desire for independence must be profound, overwhelming any motivation to accept free food and stay dependent on their father (apparently unlike some humans!)It takes 2–4 weeks for fledglings to perfect their fishing skills and map out their father’s favored fishing spots. Typically, the youngest, smallest offspring is the runt of the brood and is slow to develop its independence. Lani was the youngest, a male, but certainly not a runt. The post-fledgling dependence period was quite short this year as all three fledglings had caught their first fish by August 28, 2022. Within a week they displayed confidence and hunting proficiency, moving closer to their independence. The Salt Point nest is no longer a focal point for the family as the members prepare to travel to different winter destinations.

Orpheus with nest material, courtesy of CE Cornell.

The adults keep the nest in top shape throughout the breeding season and prepare the nest to survive the stormy winter to come. Orpheus adds sticks up to the day he migrates. During the breeding seasons, the nest changes shapes to keep up with the mobility of the young. The nest in spring must contain a deep nest cup surrounded by grass to protect the eggs. As the chicks develop and move about, the sides of the nest flatten until the nest is a flat runway by the end of summer. Come spring, Orpheus will have to rebuild the sides and recreate the egg cup when he returns early next spring.

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, 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. “My camera allows me to capture their beauty in many ways that the human eye can’t see,” she says, “like their spectacular wing positions and detailed feather patterns.” 

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!

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam

READ!

On Osprey Time: Ospreys of the Finger Lakes

VISIT!

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail

HELP PROTECT OSPREYS:

•Stay 300 feet away from nests 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.