The winds change….

 I was out again yesterday checking nests, trying to get final outcomes, read bands etc….and things have suddenly changed. The weather made a huge shift and all those exhausting days of hi temps and breathtaking humidity have become cool, breezy weather… with wind from the north. Oh my. So many ospreys were either gone or hard to find. Ospreys migrate when the weather is right for it….when the wind is strong and from the north, all they have to do is put their wings out….

It seems a little early, but some of the nests that hatched and fledged early, well over a month ago, may just be on their way. Probably not all of them, but I suspect some early ospreys may be taking advantage of the change. Clearly, a lot of the adult females are on their way. We still have some late fledges that we are watching carefully….I am really putting on the miles to check nests in opposite sides of the metro that I am either concerned about or just curious about. So many nests I want to get back to one more time….but it may be too late. I am sure we will have some lingering ospreys until late September. Chicks that just fledged, like the one in the previous post from last weekends drama, will hopefully be around for at least a few more weeks. I checked on that female fledgling yesterday and she is fine, eating a fish on her nest. We have some other late fledging chicks that I will be watching as well.
I may have a lot to say in the coming weeks as I reevaluate the value of this project. Meanwhile…it’s a relief to be outside when it’s not dripping with humidity. Love the cool breeze.
The chick below was a fairly late fledge, still sticking close to home….Mom and Dad still present, but I couldn’t spot her sibling.