Introduction

It now appears that the juvenile Ospreys in both the Boulders and the Owosso nests have fledged. The first proof I have is the photo above of one of the older Boulders juveniles perched on a utility pole near the nest, a behavior I noticed from juveniles from the same nest in prior years—in this article from 2020, for example.

This is the latest fledging of the four seasons I have observed, by about one month (as the photos in the 2020 article indicate).

Owosso Nest

The Owosso juvenile was exercising vigorously on August 12. Although I don’t know the exact day she first took flight (I think it is a female based on the brown feathers on the chest visible in the photo below), we observed three Ospreys flying over the nest on August 22, so I assume she had flown by that date.

We watched the Owosso juvenile perched on the corner of the nest on August 23, and assumed it had flown to that position, so are confident it has fledged. Now, she has to quickly learn to catch fish on her own.

It is very encouraging that the pair of Ospreys nesting in their first season at this platform have successfully fledged a juvenile. Hideko and I hope they return next season, as this appears to be a good location for fishing.

Boulders Nest

I have been following the progress of the runt at the Boulders nest and was relieved to see the adult female feeding him (I think it is a male, based on the primarily white chest feathers) for several minutes on August 19. The neck feathers on the runt are still not fully developed, but it otherwise appears healthy.

After eating a good meal, the runt proceeded to exercise his wings.

By August 23, the runt was eating alone, but I am not sure if it has flown yet.

On the morning of August 22 we watched four Ospreys flying noisily over the river not far from the Boulders nest. We noticed that one of the four was smaller than the others and concluded that it was the three juveniles and one of the adults in flight together.

After looking at the photos, however, I realized that two of them were adults (see below), so I revised my thinking to conclude that only two of the Boulders juveniles were flying with the adults—probably the two older individuals.

The Osprey in the photo has the all dark brown back and outer wings of an adult (the juveniles have light-colored edges to their outer wings and back during their first summer).

The above individual is carrying a recently-caught small fish—unlikely to be a juvenile as they haven’t had time to learn to fish yet.

It is easy when observing wildlife to come to conclusions that are emotionally satisfying but incorrect when reviewed more closely.

The photo above is the first I have this season showing one of the juveniles taking flight—I hope to have more.

On a smokey August 24 morning, we spotted one of the older Boulders juveniles perched in a frequently-used tree along the river. Now, all the juvenile Ospreys must learn how to fish. Very soon.