Summary of Osprey season, nest of Irma and Ilmar
Just before the second egg was expected to hatch, the camera transmission failed due to a technical problem at the nest site. The nest could not be visited to perform repairs at this sensitive time, so we had to wait to learn what had happened with the other two eggs. The ringers visited the nest on June 30 and were able to repair the camera connection.
When the camera transmitted again on June 30, we saw a nest with two chicks, the bigger one wearing rings (AR). The difference in the size of the chicks led to the conclusion that probably the first and third eggs had hatched and the second egg was not successful. The chicks were named Aino (the larger one with ring AR) and Elar, the younger one who was ringed (DI) on July 17. Later in the season, the ringers decided that both osprey chicks were male. Irma and Ilmar were reliable and caring parents, and Aino fledged on July 30 and Elar on August 4.
As is common for ospreys, Irma left the family first; she was last seen on the nest on August 21.
Ilmar still provided fish for both young ospreys and an amazing amount of 832 delivered fishes were counted for the entire season. On September 12, both Aino and Elar, as well as Ilmar, were seen for the last time at the nest.
We wish all our camera-ospreys a long and healthy life, wherever their wings may carry them!
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