San Francisco Bay
June 2
https://www.facebook.com/bayospreys/pos ... emSBxP6HUl
And we have a hatch! After 36 days and 15 hours, Rosie and Richmond were both present for the nestling's first flops out of the egg. Congratulations R&R!
Edit to add: further examination of video indicates the hatch may have occurred around 5:27 am, or even earlier when there was no lighting.
https://youtu.be/8lh5a88JNaQ
June 2
https://www.facebook.com/bayospreys/pos ... 3M8nphfDMl
Some people asked why we believe it was the second egg that hatched instead of the first. The short answer is we don’t know for sure yet. Below is the long answer.
We do know Rosie’s average incubation time for a first egg (the time differs for first, second, and third eggs) is 38 days 8 hours. At the time of this morning’s hatch, the first egg would have been incubated 41 days, 12 hours. Median hatch time for second eggs is 36 days, 19 hours. If it was the second egg it would have been incubated 36 days, 15 hours. So, the timing appears to fit historical data for second eggs and not first eggs.
But 42 days of incubation is still within the “normal range” for Osprey incubation. In addition, several factors may have slowed egg development this year compared to previous years:
The nest is shallower, with less organic material beneath it. Organic materials usually heat up as they decompose and help keep the eggs warm. Cooler conditions = slower development.
The nest is built upon a metal plate, which could be absorbing some of the organic matter’s warmth, making for a slightly cooler nest.
This spring has been overall cooler than usual.
So while the historical data lead us to suspect the first egg already passed its “hatch by” date, it’s unclear exactly which egg has hatched yet. As time passes and the Rosie allows us glimpses of the remaining egg it should be possible to identify which egg remains, and of course, if another chick appears, then the delay-due-to-cooling theory may have merit.
For now, celebrations continue for the first hatch. Welcome, little Osprey!
June 3
https://www.facebook.com/bayospreys/pos ... psDwu4X1wl
After waiting 26.5 hours for a first meal, Richmond delivers not one, but TWO fish in rapid succession.
https://youtu.be/tHmVXwSLcV0
https://www.facebook.com/bayospreys/pos ... qwyJEeqDNl
We've got a double feature today! A fish appearing in the first feeding video is the focus of this video, as we follow its peregrinations around the nest.
https://youtu.be/-iiU_ZZshuc
Chesapeake Osprey Nest/explore.org 2023 05 08
Moderator
The nest is shallower, with less organic material beneath it. Organic materials usually heat up as they decompose and help keep the eggs warm. Cooler conditions = slower development.
- Audubon Boathouse Nest/explore.org 2023 06 10
