On May 14, Karl Mielenhausen took a photo showing one fledgling in the nest. Just look how the fledgling has grown in four weeks!
My first observation on June 1 showed a fledgling moving independently around the nest. We felt certain there were two small heads, but as time passed and more photos were taken, we saw only one head. It is most likely a second fledgling succumbed to nest starvation. There has been much activity for the past few days (June 12- 15). The fledgling exercised its wings, standing on the edge of the nest. One adult was always present. Both parents continue to feed the young bird. On June 23, the fledgling almost took off. I think within a few days, the first flight will take place. (photo credit Bill Jarvis)
Ospreys are monogamous. The life span of an Osprey is seven to ten years. The bird will only dive about three feet below the surface when fishing. The talons have barbed pads and a reversible outer toe with two sharp talons in front and two in the back. The fish is always turned, so its head is in the wind as the bird flies back to the nest with the fish in its beak. All fish-eating birds swallow the prey head first. Why? If taken tail first, the gills would protrude and get stuck in the bird's throat and probably cause death.
Ospreys from here will migrate to Florida or Central America. They can fly as much as 237 km per day. We all hope "our" Ospreys return next year.
The fledgling Osprey flew off the nest today, Tuesday, June 27, after wing testing for over a week!