Osprey and heron nest webcams

This video is called A Hatch at the Dunedin Osprey nest.

From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the USA:

June 29, 2012

New Osprey Cam

We’re excited to let you know that we’re now featuring a very active Osprey cam hosted by the Univerity of Montana in Hellgate Canyon near Missoula. Three chicks hatched last week and the parents are busy bringing fish to feed their young ones’ ravenous appetites. It will be another 7 to 9 weeks before the youngsters fledge, most likely sometime between the second and third weeks of August. Just before the chicks leave the nest, researchers from the University of Montana will band the young as part of their long-term study on mercury in the environment.

So, what about Ozzie and Harriet, the Osprey pair at the Dunrovin Ranch nest we’ve been watching, also hosted by the University of Montana? Their two eggs have still not hatched and are not expected to, being way overdue. Though the adults are still tending them, it’s likely they will give up and leave the nest at some point. Although the reason for the eggs’ failure to hatch is unknown, researchers will be looking into whether mercury contamination may have been a factor. Meanwhile, we’ll keep the Dunrovin cam active to see what the adults do. You’ll see tabs for both Osprey nests on our website.

Meanwhile, check out the new Osprey cam and let us know what you think.

Heron Fledge Update

At the moment, three of the five Great Blue Heron chicks have fledged from the nest over Sapsucker Woods Pond right near the Cornell Lab. Click the links to see videos showing the first young heron launching from a limb near the nest around 9:18 AM on June 26, with two more soon following on the same day. The remaining two chicks are still holding out while they watch their three siblings wade in the pond below, perch on nearby branches, or come back to the nest for a visit.

Banding osprey chicks: here.