Bad news! One of the three osprey chicks that hatched in May has died mysteriously. I heard about these chicks when they were born but have only just found out that one has died. It apparently just seemed to "fade away".

The chick was smaller than the others, so I suppose it is probably nature taking its natural course. Lets just hope they other two will survive to nest and fledge.

I applaud what the Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve is doing for ospreys. Since 1969 they have succesfully raised 66 chicks which is a fantastic achievement.

This post was last modified: 10-06-2007 09:36 AM by Xeract.

It is an accomplishment if even two of the chicks live, so it does not surprise me that the third, smallest chick has died. There is always one chick which is the largest, and that one usually survives. Sometimes the second one survives as well.

Having said that, I am very fortunate in living in an area (here in Washington State) where Osprey are quite common! On one of my bike rides I can pass at least two nests, both of which have two offspring .

Kingfisher

You are very lucky to see ospreys so often, but it is great to hear the huge effort that is going into recovering their numbers in the countryside. I think the reason they were so devastated that this chick had died is that even though it was the smallest, it seemed to be doing well and died for no apparent reason.

It is still a great achievement to raise two chicks, and if it makes the other chicks stronger becuase they have less competition for food it might be a good thing in the long run.