Thursday, April 14, 2016

What type of fish are those Osprey eating?

As we have been watching the osprey bringing in fish we've been trying to identify the species they bring in. So far we have clearly identified peanut bunker and perch. One of our osprey watchers has also seen koi (which are an ornamental  sub species of carp bred and sold for their beauty, a favorite in ponds)  Carp is a very hardy fish, tolerating more extreme temperatures than other fish. They are like the goats of the fish world, eating everything in its path, snails, plants, fish eggs and vegetation.

If you spot a different species of fish email us and we will add it to the list, or get a screenshot of it and we will try to identify.


Thursday, April 7, 2016

Will eggs be coming soon?

The Ospreys have been doing more work on their nest and it's starting to come together in a bowl shape. Will we be seeing eggs in the next few days?

A nest bowl is starting to take shape.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Prove you're a good provider!

One of the ways that an Osprey pair strengthens its bond is the male going fishing for the female. When the female wants a fish she will start calling -  cheep, cheep, cheep - ever more frantically if the male doesn't fast leave enough. Eventually the male will go off, catch a fish, and return, and as he comes into his mate's view she will again start calling - cheep, cheep, cheep. After he lands on the nest, she will continue to call until he gives up the fish and she eats.

The female Osprey seems pleased with the fish that her mate brought back to the nest.
By bringing his mate fish the male is also demonstrating that he will be a good provider for the chicks when they hatch and need ever increasing amounts of fish as they grow. If the nest is successful three chicks can eat up to 60 pounds a day before they fledge.