Ozzie and Harriet, whom we’ve been monitoring since April 21, are the proud parents of two nestlings that you can see if you study this very long-distance image:
We’re calling them David and Ricky or “the boys,” which television viewers of a certain age will understand.
The eggs hatched earlier in the week, but, despite our best efforts, we were unable to see the chicks until yesterday when Harriet flew off the nest for about two minutes while Ozzie was guarding it. (Ozzie visits the nest frequently, but we’ve never seen him try to cover the chicks as Harriet does.)
Based on average egg sizes of 2.5 inches, the newborns were probably about 2 inches long when they emerged. Now the boys appear to be about 4 or 5 inches long. Compare the chick in the first Comment space image to Harriet as she returns to the nest after her break. She’s approximately 24 inches in length.
Ospreys are known for super-fast growth. The boys likely will be flying in August. We’ll keep you posted. (Brooklin, Maine)