Osprey Chick Takes Maiden Flight For Skywatch Friday

Osprey Adult With 3 Chicks all photos by Larry Jordan

I went back to Anderson River Park yesterday to see how the Osprey chicks were doing and got more than I bargained for.  The adult (right) had just flown into the nest, apparently empty handed.  They all began screeching, I imagined for the other adult to bring food.

I was hoping to get some shots of the adults bringing in fish to feed the chicks but I saw no feeding activity whatsoever.  Instead, the adult Osprey flew off again, not to be seen by the young ones for another three hours!

In the meantime, the chicks began flapping their wings and “catching air.”

Suddenly, this chick takes off out of the nest for its first flight.  It circles around while being harassed by several passerine birds, including this Western Kingbird that had been hawking insects from a perch on the same light stand.

The Osprey was vocalizing (and its siblings were vocalizing as well) as it flew two close circles around the nest and then came back up for a perfect landing …

safely back home after an exciting first flight!

I suppose that the adults lure the young to fly by vocalization and eventually making them leave the nest for food.  As I watched this nest previously, the adults always brought fish before sundown.  This day nothing but one small scrap of fish I saw in an adults talon while looking at my photos, probably for the youngest chick.  As I was leaving, sun sinking in the West, another chick was “catching air” in the glow of the sunset.

For more great sky gazing, check out Skywatch Friday!