migrating Ospreys....

This is an older article, (link below) but still quite interesting as we watch our Ospreys disappearing from their nests. I visited several nests yesterday and found three adult males waiting around, just in case a youngster needs some food. One male was eating a fish, unbothered by any food begging. Another male snoozing alone in his tree perch near his nest, also unbothered by any chicks hollering for food. And a third male perching near his nest with a fish, looking all around as if to say " anyone hungry?" He waited for at least 20 minutes, not eating the fish, until finally a juvenile came flying in, whining, that raspy desperate food begging call we are so familiar with. He gave her the fish and quickly departed. The adult males are usually the last ones to depart. They stay to feed their chicks as long as needed and they defend their territory from other migrating Ospreys. I cannot help but worry about all the Ospreys, particularly those along the east coast, who are heading straight into a pretty severe hurricane, one just passed and two more on the way. This can be disastrous for these young birds on their first migration. I hope they just get blown off course, rather than killed. We have done a lot of finger crossing this year, but we all must keep them crossed and think good thoughts. I hope the Ospreys we still have here, will wait a bit before heading south, but most will leave before mid September. Right now we have southerly winds, which may cause the remaining Ospreys to stay put until the winds shift to being from the north. There is a world of potential trouble out there for these young Ospreys on their first migration, detailed in the article, but I hope my favorite adults will be safe, and smart, and return next April.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-scientists-unravel-mystery-of-osprey-migration-2016aug18-story.html