The first osprey chick has hatched! The first crack appeared in the egg at 12.30pm and just two hours later the female stood up to reveal a tiny chick, still curled up tight from being inside the egg.

 

 

Osprey chicks are altricial, meaning that they hatch in an undeveloped state and need a lot of care from their parents. The chick will be quite helpless (and featherless!) for a few weeks and the parents will need to be very attentive at this stage. The female will take care to look after the first chick while ensuring that the other two eggs are kept warm.

 

Hopefully in a few days we will have another chick hatching! The eggs were laid at three day intervals, so perhaps on Tuesday we will have another arrival.

 

Keep an eye on the webcam to catch a glimpse of the tiny chick.

 

We are looking forward to seeing the male’s reaction to his first hatchling!

 

Jane Hamilton, Freya Way, Michelle Branson – Species Protection Officers