Our Loomis Goose Creek Preserve resident Osprey pair, Femke and Hauke, have once again raised a family of three chicks - for the second year in a row! The triplets fledged, one after the other, over the course of this past week. This is at least a week sooner than in the previous four years. The youngsters are nearly fully grown and are recognizable by their orange eyes and white edges along their feather tips.
For now, the babies fly short distances across the street (Route 394) to rest on telephone wires or in a nearby tree before they return to the nest. Although they can feed themselves from a fish delivered to the nest, they are not yet able to independently catch a fish from the lake. This is the task before them for the next month. They will also have to improve their flying skills so they can be prepared for the long-distance flight to South America, which will take place around mid-September.
Femke will probably head south in the next week or two, while Hauke will stay around for another month to teach his youngsters the flying and fishing skills they will need to survive the arduous journey to the Amazon region.
Unbelievably, this was the fifth year since we began observing the pair in 2020 - and the fourth observing by nest camera. Altogether, the couple have produced nine youngsters. Three have most likely returned to the area, and last year's triplets may come home next spring.
We’re looking forward to being able to watch the fledglings for at least another month!
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