Week 6: June 23-29. Developing and using their wings
The chicks have been banded and named. The oldest is XA, Brooks and the youngest WM, Molate. More information on their names can be found in Part 6.
Their feathers have come in, they have grown, and they have developed talons and strong legs. In short, they are ready to start practicing flying. And learn to be independent. They will spend the next few weeks doing just that. Their development is a bit behind the chart because they hatched later this year.
Their feathers have come in, they have grown, and they have developed talons and strong legs. In short, they are ready to start practicing flying. And learn to be independent. They will spend the next few weeks doing just that. Their development is a bit behind the chart because they hatched later this year.
This week is all about food. Richie and Rosie must up their game to provide for their teenagers, who need sustenance to grow, develop and start flying. Richie had a few off days when he wasn't bringing as many fish, but this week, he and Rosie have provided up to 7 fish a day. XA, the eldest, is always the first to be fed, while WM hangs back, but eventually WM gets its turn. Both have become quite vocal about calling for fish. They have found their voices!
 Waiting for supper. June 24, 2022 cap by FW  WM gets a bite. June 26, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken  What's This? is it good to eat? June 25, 2022. cap by midi |  WM being fed by Rosie. June 28, 2022, cap by midi  My fish, says XA. June 28, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken.  More fish please. June 28, 2022. cap by midi. |
The chicks are being left alone on the nest more. Sometimes one or both parents are right on the rail or crane boom. Other times they are off fishing and the chicks are alone for a while. They are well camouflaged and the parents are alert, coming whenever there is a threat.
 Alone on the nest. June 25, 2022. cap by midi. |  Rosie protecting the nest. June 24, 2022. cap by midi |
Rosie feels the need to protect her growing chicks as they begin flapping. So she is bringing sticks to build up the rails. One such stick was so big she had trouble but she persisted and finally found a good place for it.
 Rosie brings in a big stick. June 29, 2022. cap by midi |  Rosie arranging the stick. June 29, 2022. cap by midi |
Although the chicks are more independent now, like all teenagers, they still need family time, they need their parents nearby and they are most comfortable at night at home on the nest, where they are well protected and loved.
 Afternoon siesta June 24, 2022. cap by midi  All covered including Eggie. June 28, 2022. cap by C |  Bookends, looking out June 23, 2022. cap by FW  The entire family on the nest. June 24, 2022. cap by midi |
 Trying to fit under Momma. June 24, 2022 cap by midi |  Still like to cuddle. June 24, 2022. cap by midi |
So here's a lullaby for the chicks before they get too old for such things.
Osprey Lullaby Season 6 intro: CFC
C F C
Go to sleep now in the nest,
C F C
Just lie down and take a rest.
Dm G7 C
And I will tell you a tale
Dm G7 C
Of a boat that once set sail.
C F C
That boat flew the chicks way up high
C F C
To the blue moon in the sky.
C Dm G7 C
The moon rocked them on its swing
C Dm G7 C
And a lullaby did sing.
C F C
So they soon fell fast asleep
C F C
A sleep so soothing and deep
C Dm G7 C
That they fell right off that swing
C Dm G7 C
Back under their mother’s wing.
C F C
There they slept all through the night
C F C
‘Neath the shining moon so bright
C Dm G7 C
Under mother’s speckled breast
C Dm G7 C
On their very own sweet nest.
C Dm G7 C
Sleep now ospreys, sleep and dream
C Dm G7 C
Sleep and dream, sleep and dream.
F Dm F Dm C
Sleep, dream, sleep, dream ,sleep
Midi 2022
Week 7: June 30 -July 6. Getting Ready to Fly
The chicks are quickly becoming adult and independent. They stand on their legs now and they are self-feeding. They are becoming quite proficient at tearing off pieces of fish, but still want to be fed as well. XA tends to dominate but will usually back off after a while and let WM have a turn. XA has only become belligerent a few times. WM caught on and takes a submissive position while XA is eating, trying to hone in when possible. They participate in yelling at intruders and calling to Richie for a fish.
 Standing to poop. June 21, 2022. cap by FW  Taking turns being fed. June 28, 2022 cap by Dinnae ken  Feeding pecking order. June 30, 2022. cap by midi Molate takes from Brooks June 29, 2022 |  XA fed first. June 29, 2022. cap by midi  WM self-feeding. June 28, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken  WM fighting back. June 30, 2022. cap by B Brooks takes from Molate. June 29, 2922 |
Fish Tug o' War. July 4, 2022. video by B
Both parents are bringing fish, but Richie's fishing skills appear impaired this year. Is it his damaged talon or some other issue? He is bringing fewer fish and often seems tired after fishing. Rosie is taking up the slack. She knows a place to get Plainfin Midshipmen and can fly off the nest, catch one and return in under a minute. Her fishing place seems to be near Brooks Island by the sand spit. The daily fish count has been as high as seven, so the chicks are not starving. And one day, two fish were on the nest at the same time. Rosie has also been to the San Pablo reservoir and brought back trout. See the fish charts on chat for more information.
 A surplus of fish. JUne 28, 2022. cap by PP. |  Rosie offers the fishtache June 28, 2022. cap by PP |
Rosie takes off and fetches a fish from near Brooks Island in record time. Video by VA
 Rosie's flight path to the fish. June 28, 2022. cap by VA  Rosie brings a golden trout. June 29, 2022. cap by VA |   XA (Brooks) eating the trout. June 29. cap by VA |
There are many quiet times on the nest. The chicks show more awareness of each other. They now sit and watch out over the Bay just like their mother. They sleep. They exercise their wings, stretching and flapping. They're close to lifting into the air.
 Sibling Love July 2, 2022.cap by C  Wing stretch by XA. June 29, 2022 cap by guest 420 |  Sibling kiss. July 2, 2022. cap by J  Tracking JUly 2, 2022. gif by Robin  XA flapping. June 29, 2022 cap by midi |
Helping Mom chase an intruder. July 4, 2022. cap by midi
 WM wingercizing. June 28, 2022. gif by B |  XA wingercizing. JUne 27, 2022. gif by J |
With all this flapping, Rosie feels the need to build higher rails. One day she brought in a large stick that caused her no end of trouble. In the end, she found a place for it.
 Rosie brings in a large stick. June 29. at 10:05 am. cap by midi | Arranging the stick. 10:05 am. cap by midi |
Rosie found a place for the stick. June 29 at 10:07 am. cap by midi
For a video of the stick delivery, see sfbayospreys youtube channel
EGGIE or EGGBRO: The first egg laid never hatched. Rosie left it on the nest and would even sleep with it under her. The chicks used it as a pillow or an armrest. It abided. Finally it cracked and Rosie picked it up and moved it, and the shell got buried in the nest material. The VA made a moving memorial video to the egg, complete with music and posted it on the GGAS youtube channel.
 Rosie and the egg. JUne 24, 2022. cap by Leah |  Egg pillow. June 28, 2022. cap by midi |
 Goldfish July 7 2022. cap by lurker | New Type of Fish: With Richie impaired and not brining as many fish, Rosie has been going out more. She seems to be opportunistic and, not wanting to be gone long from the nest, fishes nearby. Although she has gone to the San Pablo Reservoir for trout. She has a place to get PlainFin Midshipmen near Brooks Island and now she has been bringing an orange fish believed to be an introduced goldfish. They are bright orange and quite distinctive when she flies in. (Garibaldi are another possibility but they don't usually live this far North, as they prefer warmer waters and kelp, such as in Monterey Bay.) All are speculating as to where she might be catching these fish, as she is gone for only 6 minutes. |
Eating the goldfish that Rosie brought July 6, 2022. Video by J
Richie fish delivery, using both feet. July 5, 2022. video by B?
Week 8 July 7-13. First Fledge
Brooks, the oldest, had been flapping, then hovering and finally fledged on July 11, flying and landing successfully on the railing. (S)he showed the ability to fly back to the nest and now flies to the rail and back with ease. Next will be to take a real flight somewhere.
 XA flapping. July 6, 2022. cap by C  Hey, sib, where are you going? Brooks hover. July 9. 2022. cap by lurker. |  Hover by XA. July 8, 2022 gif by Robin  Brooks' wingspan. July 7, 2022. cap by lurker  Brooks' wing display. July 6, 2022. cap by lurker |
 Brooks Fledge July 11, 2022. cap by lurker |  Brooks fledge July 11, 2022. |
On the railing. July 7, 2022. cap by lurker
Returning to the nest. July 11, 2022. cap by lurker
 On the rail again. July 12, 2022 cap by lurker  Question in the sky. July 9, 2022. cap by FW |  Brooks on the side rail, July 12, 2022 cap by lurker  Whispering secrets. July 9, 2022. cap by lurker |
There have been some intruders but they are easily chased off. One, however, actually landed on the nest, looked around, showed submissive gestures, then flew off. The two chicks just watched curiously. This pair does not pancake often. And they join in the chorus to ward off defenders.
 Harmless visitor to the nest. July 11, 2022. cap by midi |  Visitor landing. July 11, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken. |
Right now, it is all about fish. Growing youngsters need plenty of nourishment. As the eldest, Brooks has been fed first but Rosie sees to it that Molate gets his share. He has some obstruction, however, and eating is difficult for him. Also, fewer fish are coming this year, due to Richie's lack of ability to bring them in. Rosie has been valiantly supplementing with pfm's and goldfish. Richie mostly brings smelt.
 Long awaited fish, a trout, arrives. July 9, 2022. cap by lurker |  Brooks gets fed first. July 9, 2022 cap by midi  Molate left out while Brooks is fed. July 9, 2022. Cap by midi |
Later: Two fish. Molate gets his share of the trout while Brooks tackles the smelt . cap by midi
Molate, as the youngest, and suffering from some obstruction to his breathing and swallowing, is lagging behind Brooks in size and flying ability. But he is valiantly hanging in there. He has hovered a few times. He still likes to snuggle under Momma and to be fed, but is beginning to self feed and to sleep standing up.
 Sleeping standing up. July 9, 2022. cap by midi |  Brooks sleeping standing up, Molate snuggled under Rosie. July 12, 2022. cap by midi |
 Maybe I could do that too? Molate watching Brooks hover. July 13, 2022. cap by PP |  Molate hover. July 13, 2022. cap by lurker |
Molate hopping. July 13, 2022. video by VA
Week 9: July 14-20 Sad week: Brooks flying and Molate dying
Brooks' fledging: After fledging to the rail, Brooks began to explore more. She got stuck in the "basement" for a while but managed to get out. She flew to the boom of the crane. And one day, the day after Molate died, she just took off and flew towards Brooks Island. She stayed away until July 19 when she returned to the nest, yelling for food. Rosie brought a fish. Richie came by briefly.
 Brooks hovering. July 14, 2022. cap by lurker |  Brooks on the sheave. July 15, 2022. cap by PP. |
Brooks continued to dominate on the nest, but Molate valiantly held his own, despite labored breathing and swallowing. Rosie made up for Richie's lack of fishing. She has a knack for finding fish nearby: pfms and goldfish.
 Three on the rail seen from below. photo by chaya. July 15, 2022.  Molate says, "Maybe I should try." July 15, 2022. cap by midi |  Entire family on the crane. July 15, 2022. cap by VA  Rosie, Molate and Brooks on the nest. July 14, 2022. cap by midi  Molate hover July 15, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken |
Where did everybody go? Molate alone on the nest, July 15, 2022. cap by midi
 Fish stand-off. July 14, 2022, cap by midi | |
Fish tug of war. July 15, 2022. video by J.
RIP Molate May 18-July 16, 2022
On July 15, Molate was still fighting his sibling for fish. And Brooks was flying around, exploring, but returning to the nest. In the early afternoon of July 16, Molate dozed, his chest heaving for air. He took a last gasp and tumbled off the nest onto the platform below. It appears that he died instantly, possibly before falling.
 July 15, 2022. Brooks on the rail, Molate on the nest. cap by midi |  July 15, 2022 in the early afternoon. Molate gets some of the fish. |
Rosie and the chicks on the nest. July 15, 2022. Around 4:30 in the afternoon. cap by lurker
The entire family on the nest. July 15, 2022. around 9:30 pm
July 16
Rosie brought a large striper to the nest about an hour after Molate fell and fed it to Brooks, baby-style. Then she and Richie stayed through the night and Brooks stayed on the nest.
Rosie brought a large striper to the nest about an hour after Molate fell and fed it to Brooks, baby-style. Then she and Richie stayed through the night and Brooks stayed on the nest.
 Richie and Rosie on the rail in the evening of July 16, above Molate's body on the platform below. |  Rosie on the rail evening of July 16 |
July 17 and 18
In the early morning of July 17, Brooks took off, flying proficiently. Rosie brought a fish to the rail, but there was nobody there to receive it. Rosie faithfully kept the fish all night, finally finishing it herself.
In the early morning of July 17, Brooks took off, flying proficiently. Rosie brought a fish to the rail, but there was nobody there to receive it. Rosie faithfully kept the fish all night, finally finishing it herself.
 Brooks on the nest with parents nearby. 5:51 am. July 17. cap by Tweeter  Rosie on rail with a trout. July 17 at 2:41 pm. cap by midi. |  Brooks flying off at 6:15 am July 17. cap by Tweeter  Rosie with trout, Richie on the nest. Jluy 17 at 2:48 pm. cap by midi |
Rosie sleeps with her fish, beside Richie, July 17. at 9:55 pm.
July 18 and 19
There was little action on the nest on July 18. Chatters began to say the season was over with a sudden thump. Then on July 19. at 8am, Rosie was sitting on the rail when Brooks came flying in, chased by a gull and landed on the nest. And there she stayed, seeming a bit tired. Richie flew by once, looked startled and disappeared.
See video below by VA.
There was little action on the nest on July 18. Chatters began to say the season was over with a sudden thump. Then on July 19. at 8am, Rosie was sitting on the rail when Brooks came flying in, chased by a gull and landed on the nest. And there she stayed, seeming a bit tired. Richie flew by once, looked startled and disappeared.
See video below by VA.
There has been some disagreement with how the authorities are handling Molate's body and many varied opinions. I have posted below the statement from Wildcare, who takes in injured animals, and GGAS , which is in charge of the nest. It should be noted that there are stringent rules from Fish and Willdlife and laws governing the handling of wild raptors. These must be respected and adhered to. These laws exist to protect the birds as a species.
| From GGAS: Dear Osprey friends: We have watched with growing concern as the younger of the two Osprey offspring, Molate (band WM), shows signs that they might not be thriving. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they will survive to fledge in the next week. Like many wildlife species, Ospreys live vulnerable lives. Typically 10-20% of nestlings don’t survive to fledge, with the majority of deaths caused by lack of adequate food (Poole, 1984). Their highest risk of death is around 4-5 weeks after hatching, and it is unusual for nestlings older than that not to survive through fledging (Hagan, 1986). But even once they’ve fledged, they face steep challenges. Research suggests that fewer than 50% of young Osprey fledglings survive their first year. We can’t know whether Molate’s apparent decline is related to a lack of food resources or some other illness or injury. We do know that both chicks appeared healthy when they were banded last month. It is Golden Gate Audubon’s policy to minimize human intervention in the lives of wild birds. That includes reducing risks to birds from buildings and glass, pesticides and herbicides, and badly sited energy projects. Despite our deep personal connections to Rosie and Richmond and their offspring, they are not pets. We will not impose upon their wildness, nor will we make efforts that may inadver- tently harm otherwise healthy and productive individuals. That does not mean we will stand by idly. We will maintain vigilant observation of the nest, and should Molate end up somewhere in trouble, outside of the nest, we will make every effort to get them to care at one of our trusted partners, WildCare or Lindsay Wildlife, as only a California Department of Fish & Wildlife permittee is legally allowed to handle wild Ospreys. We share your concern for Molate, and hope our fears don’t come to pass. Moments like this remind us how precious and fragile life is – both human life and wildlife. Getting to know individual birds like Molate and Brooks (band XA) makes us more committed than ever to protecting our local birds, every- thing from magnificent raptors like this Osprey family to the towhees and finches in our backyards. With our thoughts on Molate and their family, Glenn Phillips Executive Director | From the Asst. Director of 07-10 11:36 Wild Care: "Lucy shared your email with me regarding the osprey chick in Pt. Richmond. After checking the live feed, it does appear that one of the chicks is not as strong as the other and is having some signs of labored breathing. The bird seems to be alert and standing normally at times as well. Unfortunately, as long as WM is in the nest, we have no ability to intervene. Because of their ages, the other osprey, who is healthy and doing well, would likely jump from the nest and this would cause significant injuries or death. Sadly, ospreys are a very high stress species and have very specific feeding and housing needs that are incredibly challenging to minic in captivity. For that reason, it is much better to keep the young bird in a natural, reduced stress setting, with parents who know how to care for him/her. Right now, WM looks weak, but otherwise is showing many positive signs and has a much better chance for a healthy life in the nest. If the osprey does come out of the nest, needs medical attention, and it is safe to intervene, WM should be taken to the closest wildlife hospital, which may be WildCare or Lindsay For similar reasons, it was decided to leave Molate's body where it is, in order not to disturb the remaining chick Brooks or deter Richmond and Richie from tending to their chick. The bottom line is that these are wild animals in an urban environment. Our role is to watch them, enjoy them and learn from them. We are not to disturb them or turn them into pets. They need to live wild and free. The human role is to assure that they may do so, even though they're in an urban environment, by removing any impediments such as trash, undue noise and activity below the nest, and any other dangers that can be mitigated within this urban environment. So far, this has been done successfully in the Richmond area and the osprey population is increasing. Let's keep it that way! -MW |