A Month In

A Month In

Peter Cairns/2020VISION

It's now been a month since the first chick hatched. Here's the latest update for the Manton Bay Osprey family.

The oldest three chicks are now one month old, and they are starting to look more and more like the adults. Over the past week or so their plumage has changed remarkably. The three oldest chicks are now strutting some beautiful brown and golden feathers and have developed striking black stripes near the eyes. When the chicks are around 30 days old, they will have achieved 70% to 80% of their total body weight, and their growth will noticeably slow down - incredible! The oldest three chicks are now one month old, and they are starting to look more and more like the adults. Over the past week or so their plumage has changed remarkably. The three oldest chicks are now strutting some beautiful brown and golden feathers and have developed striking black stripes near the eyes. When the chicks are around 30 days old, they will have achieved 70% to 80% of their total body weight, and their growth will noticeably slow down - incredible!

A few weeks ago, a lot of people were concerned about how small the youngest chick was in comparison to its siblings – just look at it now! Thanks to a high protein diet, with 33(11) bringing at least two fish back a day, and with Maya giving it some extra feeds whilst the other chicks were asleep or not hungry, it has narrowed that size difference between it and the oldest chick. One important sign it is getting enough to eat is it is exerting energy into developing its plumage, changing it from the secondary down to feathers.

Maya and the four osprey chicks

I’ll leave you this week with a quote from Shakespeare’s Coriolanus

As is the osprey to the fish, who takes it by sovereignty of nature

Osprey Home School

The Osprey Education Team are continuing to upload new and exciting activities for all the family to enjoy in order to stay connected to nature.

Osprey Home School

30 Days Wild

Things are tough at the moment, but we know how much nature means to people. That is why this year’s 30 Days Wild is more important than ever! Every day in June why not have a go at doing something wild. From simply opening a window and listening to birdsong to building a nature pond in your back garden anything, no matter how simple, counts. If you haven’t already signed up please visit our webpage (link below) where you will receive a free digital pack with lots of ideas on how to stay connected to nature wherever you are.

30 Days Wild