Interesting story about the gosling hatched by osprey. I'm a bit skeptical of some of the things that were written in the accompanying text. I was not convinced that recently hatched goslings couldn't manage the 50 foot drop the way a wood duck duckling might. I've heard about some high nests on the rock along the Snake River and I've seen a few including one high on a cliff on the Skookumchuck Reservoir and the old "Bullfrog Pond" osprey nest, visible along the south side of I-90 just past the Cle Elum River bridge when heading east. That osprey nest was used by Canada Geese some years before the snag broke off and was shunned by both species. I've never been around to verify that the goslings survive the drop from these high nests but I tend to believe that they do, at least most of the time.


I also wonder about the gosling dying from starvation or the inappropriate diet of fish. Wouldn't the gosling have jumped.... instinctually, within the first few days after hatching? Maybe not. Not sure what the cues are to get them to jump. Perhaps parents and siblings have to get them interested.

Kelly McAllister
Olympia, Washington
----- Original Message -----
From: Dawn Bailey
To: 'Tweeters (E-mail)'
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 8:01 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Osprey hatch gosling


http://www.birdchick.com/2007/05/osprey-nest-surprise.html#comments


Dawn Bailey
Eatonville, WA
dawnsdog at rainierconnect.com

All know the way; few actually walk it. ~Bodhidharma


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