White-bellied Sea Eagles Day 77 Fledge!, Loch of the Lowes Osprey Tracking Update

SE16 fledged yesterday after I stopped watching that nest for the day. I just didn't expect a fledge so soon. I mean, we are in the window, but I didn't see any indication that SE16 was ready to take the leap. But then, she started showing indicators, like standing on the edge of the nest and looking like she had spotted somewhere to fly. Then she did a couple of false starts. She has really raced through the development milestones from branching to fledge! And SE15 hasn't even branched yet. Here's the video of the time leading up to fledging and her flying back and forth. SE16 Fledges (21:46):

The Loch of the Lowes folks have a new tracking update for FR3 and FR4 on their blog.

Africam Black Eagle Kendi Fledged!, White-bellied Sea Eagles Day 42, Loch of the Lowes Osprey FR4's Impressive Migration

Black Eagle Kendi fledged yesterday, on what I believe is day 110, but I've seen others say day 109. Either way, Kendi was in no hurry! She did the "chicken neck" first, where she was trying to get a good look at something. If I had to guess, I'd say that there was a parent with food that she was looking at. And that's what provided her with the inspiration to jump. Here's an animated gif of the "chicken neck" followed by the fledge:

 

Zoomer did a pretty good job of finding the fledgling.

Kendi experimented with perching on branches.

This is the viewing area below the nest.

 Look at the White-bellied Sea Eagles! They have grown so much in the few days that I couldn't check on them!

When did SE16 grow these buff colored chest feathers?! I only started watching this nest last year. And since SE13 only lived for a month, I never got to see what the chick looked like as it grew in its feathers. So, this is a time of discovery for me!

I tried to capture different views of those feathers.

There was a testy moment, but it was actually SE15 on the left that nipped at SE16's beak.

Loch of the Lowes Osprey FR4 has traveled 2781 miles so far during her migration! That's amazing for just over 2 weeks! FR3 is still hanging around in France.

Africam Black Eagle Day 78, Harrison Bay Eagles, White-bellied Sea Eagles Day 9, Soddy Daisy Bluebirds Fledge!

I'm having issues with my DSL. I've got a new modem coming, supposed to arrive by Wednesday. Until then, my coverage of the nests is going to be hit or miss. Maybe I'll go to a hotspot tomorrow...

I did get a look at the Africam Black Eagle chick today. We should see wingercizing now.

The Harrison Bay Eagle parents are spending another night in the nest tree. At least, I think this is both of them.

I was able to get the White-bellied Sea Eagle cam to come up for a couple of minutes and look at these cutie-pies laying like book ends in the nest.

The Soddy Daisy Bluebirds all fledged today, just as I expected. I didn't get any s'caps of them from today...

Africam Black Eagle Day 55, Dyfi Osprey Day 51,53&54 All Three Fledge!, Harrison Bay Eagles Day 115&117, Loch of the Lowes Osprey Day 59,61&62, White-bellied Sea Eagles Continue To Incubate Eggs, Soddy Daisy Bluebird Incubating Four Eggs

The Africam Black Eagle chick snuck out from under Mom. The feathers are really coming in now!

The chick came around to face the camera. (I think we've been spotted...)

I don't know what the night time temperature is there. I think it's a bit chilly. Mom is still doing her best to keep her baby warm.

I recorded the Dyfi Osprey overnight in case one of them fledged. But my computer downloaded a security patch and did an automatic reboot, which killed my recording. And ALL THREE FLEDGED in about a 3 hour time period. Click the link for their blog entry about the day. When I brought up the cam this morning, they were all perched on the camera support and Mom was below them in the nest.

Here's a take-off from the right-hand side of the arm.

You can see the fledgling in the top right corner of the s'cap.

It did a pretty good flight before returning to the same spot.

There was a mishap. Brenig (W3) Land On Merin (W1) Twice! (2:05). They both tumbled off of the perch. In the thumbnail below, that's actually Mom (who tried to fly to the rescue) above Brenig who is on Merin's back. It's a mess of wings and bodies...

Not to worry though. It's after midnight here and the sun is coming up over there. All three Osplets are in the nest.

 

Both of the Harrison Bay Fledglings were at the nest today.

There was a food delivery. Look at that dirty mouth!

One of the babies got a fish. I think this is HB7.

HB8 on the left and HB7 on the right.

They did some stick work together. So cute!

At least one is spending the night in the nest tree.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes Osplets were all in the nest the morning for breakfast with Mom.

The White-bellied Sea Eagles are still incubating their two eggs.

I found a new Bluebird cam. This is the Soddy Daisy Bluebird nest. This cam has sound! It doesn't look like the Berry College Bluebirds are going to nest again. So, maybe I'll follow the Soddy Daisy nest...

Africam Black Eagle Day 52, Dyfi Osprey Day 48,50&51 Fledge Watch Continues, Loch of the Lowes Osprey Day 56,58&59 Fledge!, Harrison Bay Eagles Day 112&114 Both Fledglings In The Nest

Yesterday's post didn't get published until a few hours ago. Oops! Make sure you go back another post if you haven't seen it yet...

The Africam Black Eagle chick still has some growing to do. But we can see how far it's come when compared to the parent.

Standing up to poop in the corner. Look at those fuzzy legs!

Playing peek-a-boo behind the branch.

Look at how much those feathers grew in just a day!

Already working on the "eagle eye" as something passes overhead.

At the Dyfi Osprey nest, Dad brings the fish...

...Mom arrives right on his heels...

...and the babies gather around her for dinner to be served.

At the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes nest, FR4 finally fledged today! She was doing some wingercizing. Then she just stood feeling the breeze on her wings.

Then she reached up...

...and in one powerful stroke launched herself off of the nest.

Her tail is barely in the frame.

And away she goes!

FR4 returned to the nest a short time later. This is the first time this nest has had 3 chicks fledge since 2003. The oldest I'd expect to see an Osprey fledge is day 56. Today is day 56 for the youngest at this nest. If this isn't the youngest, then that means it was older than 56 days. But I have no idea if this is the youngest. However, if I had to guess, I'd say that's the case. Here's a video of FR4's Fledge (1:00):

Check out this video that one of the moderators posted of the Double Delivery at the Harrison Bay Eagle nest (4:52):

 

Here are some stills from today. The Fledglings spent some time in the nest together this morning. What a welcome sight!

They were playful with each other.

And they snuggled for a bit.

But they are sleeping separately tonight.