SWINWK wrote:
It's okay bonbon! The owl never lands on the nest. I noticed Rachel is showing signs of fatigue during the video when she attempts landings. She even lands slightly below on the side of the nest and you can see her head pop up. As hypervigilant as she has been since the attacks, I assume she is not getting proper rest. She is really going all out. Last night Bailey was changing position in the nest and Rachel pounced on her immediately! Caught herself, but poor Bailey hunkered down and stayed in that position. Rachel is acting on every sound and movement. Bailey is 46 days old today and here is what one of the chatters with long experience @ this site said of Rachel's age:She's been nesting here since at least 2011 -- probably is the Osprey who was also on the nest since 2008, and they are about four years old before starting nesting and rearing chicks, so she's most likely about 13 or 14.
EDIT And this is what a mod went on to say about Bailey's age:Rachel truly is a warrior queen! Trust nature, trust ospreys!
Unfortunately, the yellow jackets (wasps!) are back too, this morning. Poor Bailey, what else does she has to endure? She is only 46 days old...
Little Bailey isn't ready for fledge yet, it takes about 10 more days. Her flight feathers aren't completely developed, she needs much more wingercizing and helicoptering to train her muscles.
That is a long way off with the fear each night brings for me! Not to mention what an eagle or yellow jackets can do during the day ... So true, Swin... gonna be a LONG 10 days.... Rachel's gotta be exhausted!
Interesting - yesterday, had cam up and Rachel left nest for almost an hour; she didn't look wet when she returned, maybe she went to relax in the shade somewhere; Bailey looked like she was asleep, maybe Steve was close but hidden.
Relieved to see that all looked well this morning; always hold my breath when I turn the cam on in the morning.