We have a lot to celebrate this week at the Tweed Valley Osprey project because, on May 29, Ms. O stopped to show that her two chicks were hatched in the main hut. The third egg was still visible in the nest, but the twisted twins were hatching and probably very hungry in the early hours of life. PW 3, their father, arrived with a good amount of fish, but Mrs. O didn’t seem to want to feed them right away – and she flew again, catching the fish. Later that afternoon, Mrs. O got up again and returned with the PW3 fish (now half eaten). She took it from him and slowly began to give small portions to the two most active chicks that had started to feed. It didn’t take long for the first chick to be fed and Mrs. O fed the second number two.
Mrs. O and PW3 with two hatched chicks
We thought the third egg was late and that the fourth egg was actually hatching. The first egg was discarded before PW3 returned and disappeared shortly after it arrived. We believe he must have been out of the nest. Mrs. Oh did not even try to lay the first egg. We weren’t sure about the date of birth because we first saw the two eggs on April 23, and the last egg appeared on April 29.
And then there were three
Ms. O’s hatchback combined the first two hatches together. This also happened last year, although we usually see a difference of one or two days. We weren’t sure how the third egg would look, given the late arrival of Chicken No. 3 on May 31.
The little family is now complete and this explains the PW3 feature the day before the first two were born. He was restless, often waking up from his eggs, and sitting for a short time in the nest. The chicks may have heard small chips from inside the shell using their eggshells.
All three chicks have very small heads due to lack of muscle strength, but they look healthy. As you begin to eat and become stronger, you become more active. For now, they spend the day under the care of their mother, waiting for the heat to subside. To get off to a good start, fingers crossed for some mild weather.
Tweed Valley Ospreys Trail Event
We do not specify the location of the nest to give the birds a good start, but we can guide people to a nice hot spot in the area. This year we will be participating in the Pebbles Outdoor Film Festival in collaboration with the Estate Theater. Our event – Tweed Valley Ospreys Trail – will take place between 18 and 19 June between 11 am and 12pm. In the Glentress Wild Watch room, you will have the opportunity to see the main hut “live stream” on the screen and hear all about the surrounding operations. Using the new map flyer, you can start the new OSPRI route to find the best places for aspirin viewing. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to meet with some volunteers or forest and land staff in Scotland who can point you in the right direction for viewing Osprey. Call the Eastgate Theater at 01721 725777 or book online for more information and space.
One of Ospray’s trails is near the Innerleithe River Tweed. A local, Mike Lammont, said on Sunday morning that he had seen one of the oceans hovering over the river and that he had been following him regularly this year and last year. He took a few photos and posted pictures of the wildlife he had added to the Woodside Wildlife Facebook page.
Osprey photos above Enlightenment by Mike Lamont
The map of the Ospray Trail is available at the Public Outreach Film Festival and later from the Glents Wild View.
Learn more about the festival and book a place for our event
Peebles Outdoor Film Festival
Video highlights
We’re glad we can bring you some great videos now! As time goes on, we will add these to our YouTube playlist. Remember, you can also see our main nest camera live during the day.
