by Ginni Kitchen, SDRP volunteer

The Lagoon Trail osprey chicks are doing great! On Sunday afternoon, May 10th, I found Dad on the telephone wire opposite the nest, enjoying the prime cuts of the fish he had just caught. When he'd had enough, he carried the rest of the fish to the nest.

Male osprey bringing dinner, female jumping into nest, May 10th, 2015

This time he didn't give the fish to Mom, but put it down right in front of the chicks. Unfortunately, at four weeks old, the chicks didn't have a clue what to do with it, much to Dad's bemusement. He even nudged the fish closer to them in encouragement. After a minute or so Mom edged her way between the youngsters, grabbed the fish in her beak, and pulled it to the other side of the nest, where she began ripping off tidbits for her babies.

Osprey family (male with raised wings), May 10th, 2015

At six weeks old the chicks were almost as big as their parents. Both have brown feather "necklaces" on their breasts, like Mom, and are probably female. When I visited on Memorial Day, the chicks were taking turns doing wing workouts. The chick on the right was a bit more coordinated so she is probably the older of the two, but both looked strong and healthy. 

Female osprey on crosspiece and chicks in nest, May 25th, 2015

Female osprey feeding six-week-old chick, May 25th, 2015

The chicks should leave the nest at about eight weeks old, but they'll stay in the area, dependent on their parents, for another four to eight weeks. First they have to become proficient at flying and then they have to learn how to catch their own fish, so you still have a chance to visit the Lagoon Trail and see them in person.

all photos by Ginni Kitchen