Family Life at 3 Weeks
The family at 3 weeks
Those who have been watching the livestream footage will have seen a huge increase in the chick’s mobility. Now able to stand up on its huge feet for a good few seconds at a time, it is still shuffling around the nest, but has become much quicker and more adventurous. It explores the nest and frequently picks up nesting material, which is all good practice for using that strong bill for a multitude of tasks in the future.
The chick carries nesting material
On Tuesday morning there was a return visit from Blue OH2, the Glaslyn 2 year old male, previously seen two days before. Landing briefly on the nest perch, he was met with Clogwyn in full nest defence mode; wing flapping furiously and alarm calling. She then lunged at the intruder who flew off immediately. There have been several other intrusions this week, but none have resulted in landing on the nest or coming close enough for identification.
Clogwyn sees off Blue OH2
The warm weather has been challenging. But Syfaddan has supplied plenty of fish, which is as vital to the chick for hydration as it is for its high protein content. The chick can now better regulate its own temperature. It can move to find shade or warmth. It can use gular fluttering to help lower its temperature, a cooling mechanism where the muscles of the throat vibrate while the mouth is held open to increase airflow - similar to panting in mammals. Its emerging feathers will also help to protect it. In turn the chick is mastering protecting its feathers, just as its parents do, initially to help them unfurl but also to keep them waterproof and healthy. Preening is a life skill that will serve the chick well.
Syfaddan keeps fish coming throughout the hot weather
As for the unhatched egg, Clogwyn is still diligently incubating it. You may remember that Syfaddan had not incubated the other two eggs at all after the chick hatched. But on Sunday, for some reason, he decided it was once again necessary. Clogwyn had left the nest and the chick was sleeping up against the nest wall. Syfaddan considered the egg for a while, staring down at it in the middle of the nest, and eventually he lowered himself onto it and stayed there for some minutes. On Monday afternoon, a similar scenario saw him attempt to incubate the egg for around seven minutes. Had Clogwyn been there he may not have felt the need. Or perhaps if the now sizeable chick had been sleeping beside it, that too might have resulted in a different outcome. We cannot know exactly what has suddenly triggered this behaviour other than him simply being in breeding mode, but it will be interesting to see if it continues.
Syfaddan settles on incubating the egg
It is also of note that Syfaddan continues to participate in feeding his chick. Although it has to be said that Clogwyn seems more proficient at this task. She now feeds with speed and precision and offers larger portions, which include skin and some harder to digest fish parts.
Clogwyn feeds her chick
On Monday evening, the Gilestone chick reached three weeks of age. At this point, osprey chicks weigh approximately half their expected adult bodyweight. It’s hard to believe that just twenty one days ago it emerged from something the size of a large hens egg.