Hellgate Canyon MT Osprey Nest .. 2019

[IrishEyes]

Click here to View the Cam

The new cam is equipped with Infrared..... providing night vision for our viewers while not interfering with the Osprey!

Welcome to the 2019 Season At Hellgate Canyon Osprey Nest!

Jan 9, 2019

s'cap.Bev / Irish Eyes

Special thanks to Cal04 for bringing this cam to the attention of HWF and providing a history for this cam and it's sister cam at Dunrovin Ranch ..

This thread is for scaps, videos and observations of the Osprey..Please limit smileys to three per post....Thank You and Enjoy!

Last Season Iris laid 3 eggs .. All hatched ...Sadly chick # 2 and # 3 died ... Chick # 1 survived ..

You can read all about 2018 here
viewtopic.php?p=485#p485

Weather Report

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us/we ... a/missoula

Link to Facebook

Incubation Period for eggs. 35 - 42 days.

Chicks fledge between 53 and 60 days

[IrishEyes]

TIME LINE

[*] Cam on Line .. all year !

[*]Adults Return ..... Louis , April 5 at 10:49am ..Not sure about Iris .

b]Also, several KEEN observers has noted that the first Osprey to show up at the Hellgate nest WAS NOT IRIS! There was a female that showed up on 2 and 3 April, and I had posted that it was Iris. One of our excellent osprey watchers, Allison Lanier, noticed differences in the wing feathers of the first bird and Iris! Iris has a primary feather that is molting back in - this creates a "gap" in her wing. The first bird does not have this. I have posted a couple of the photos that Allison has analyzed. Thanks Allison - it is watchers like you that keep us on our toes!!
So who needs soap operas?? I don't know how this season will turn out for Iris, but she continues to impress me with her strength and character. She is my role model!
Sincerely, Erick Greene[/b]

[*]Eggs Laid. April 26 ..Egg # 1 at 6:39am April 29 Egg # 2 at 4:15pm .May 3 Egg # 3 at 9:50pm.. this is a maybe ?

May 7 . Iris at 4:33pm and back at 11:47pm with a fish Start here

viewtopic.php?p=195018#p195018

May 12 ... No sign of Iris.....
May 13.Iris is back and Louis is on the nest also

May 14, 15, 16 , 17. ?? sightings of Iris;.

May 18 , 6:59 am .. Iris on the nest with a fish .. she ate it and left !


[*] Eggs Hatched .. May 18 .. Revens took the two eggs..No thrid egg laid!

10:26p Iris is back and flew at 10:40a

2:13pm Iris is is back and vocals hear from SD Osprey .. and Iris leaves at 2:17pm

[*] Last seen .... Iris Sept. 6 at 2:03 pm

[IrishEyes]

Information

Bonding. The pair are confirming their bond from last season.

Mating, you will see the female's tail up.

Possessive, you will see a quick on and off by the male, and other indications off territory disputes.


Post by Judy B re ...Osprey

Osprey information

Osprey Facts.....Rutland Osprey

The annual migration by Ospreys from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering spots and back again never ceases to amaze or raise questions. Here, Dr. Bob Kennedy answers a few

Read Here and Scroll Down

Osprey with fishDescription: Also known as the “fish hawk,” ospreys are raptors that are well adapted for fishing. They have long legs and large feet with specialized barbs on the pads, hooked talons, and a reversible outer toe that allows them to easily grasp fish with two toes pointing front and two pointing rear. They have an oily waterproof coating on their wings, and they can close their nostrils when they plunge into the water. They have slender bodies and long wings that are bent at the ‘wrist’. Their strong wings give them extra lift to fly up and out of the water with a heavy fish. They have a black bill with a sharp hook for eating fish.


Here is great article on

Bird Emotions
Do Birds Have Feelings?

BY MELISSA MAYNTZ
Updated 02/23/17

https://www.thespruce.com/examining-bir ... ons-386439

[IrishEyes]

From FB ... I didn't know this

6/6 You may have noticed that our chicks were hatched with down covering most of their body. Soon after hatch their eyes opened and they were able to feed from Iris's bill. The term that describes chicks hatched with these characteristics is "semi-precocial."
#HellgateOsprey

I googled and found this also
In biology, precocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. The opposite developmental strategy is called "altricial," where the young are born or hatched helpless.

[IrishEyes]

Montana Osprey Cams
April 29 ·
Hello everyone!!!
It just continues to get curiouser and curiouser! So we know that Louis is mating with the female osprey at the baseball nest about 1 mile down river, and he has been incubating there and bringing in fish.
Today he also brought in a fish to Iris, and spent a little time incubating too! So Louis is trying to do double duty as a father with two females. Although this is known among Ospreys, it is pretty rare. So we have front row seats to this wildlife drama. We don't know how it will work out, so we all need to take a deep breath, calm down and hope for the best.
Thinking back about last year, Louis might have been doing this then too! Remember that there were long periods of time we did not see Louis last year. But he did show up with fish and help out with incubating from time to time. And Iris managed to pull off one big healthy chick last year!
So here is hoping! Think pure thoughts!
Cheers, Erick Greene



Montana Osprey Cams
May 1 ·
Hi everyone,
Iris made it through another day! It was very interesting to see that Louis brought in a nice trout, and defended the nest against an intruder.
Here is a link to a short TV story about the Hellgate nest:
You can see Louis Matteau, the intrepid photographer whose careful observations and wonderful photographs have help us document exactly what is going on. Thanks Louis!
More to follow! Erick Greene

https://www.abcfoxmontana.com/wildlife- ... 58ed8.html

[IrishEyes]

Friday, Sept. 13 , 2019m
This is my closing post

This season at Hellgate was very different .. Iris laid 2 eggs ... Iris was trying to incubate them and feed herself as well ..Louis didn't help much .. the eggs were stolen by Ravens and maybe that was a good thing.. and with thanks to Eric Greene Montana Osprey Cams
April 29 ·
Hello everyone!!!
It just continues to get curiouser and curiouser! So we know that Louis is mating with the female osprey at the baseball nest about 1 mile down river, and he has been incubating there and bringing in fish.
Today he also brought in a fish to Iris, and spent a little time incubating too! So Louis is trying to do double duty as a father with two females. Although this is known among Ospreys, it is pretty rare. So we have front row seats to this wildlife drama. We don't know how it will work out, so we all need to take a deep breath, calm down and hope for the best.
Thinking back about last year, Louis might have been doing this then too! Remember that there were long periods of time we did not see Louis last year. But he did show up with fish and help out with incubating from time to time. And Iris managed to pull off one big healthy chick last year!
So here is hoping! Think pure thoughts!
Cheers, Erick Greene

As we all know Iris looked after herself and her nest .. she ate well and spent nights on her nest .. she had in tip top shape before she left ..and Iris looked very healthy and fit
At the risk of repeating myself .. Have a safe migration Iris .. we all love you and hope to see you back here next season

My wish for Iris
! hope you find a mate who cares for you .. Only the best will do, I know there is one out there ...

Thank you to Hellgate for the Cam and HWF for featuring it on your website.

Thanks you Heather, Carolyn , Ferenz , Philjo for posting here.

Special thanks to you Heather for your many posts , s'caps and observations

Carolyn I love this poem

Iris is a beacon, for us down below,
we are not sure why we see it,
but when we do we know.

There is something in her story,
resonating in our own,
and for that fact we are never alone.

Glorious Iris, we love you.
carolyn

[IrishEyes]

Reserved

[IrishEyes]

Reserved

[IrishEyes]

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 , 2019

WELCOME HOME IRIS~

From the video with thanks to Hellgate Osprey... Iris touched down at 9:51am

Thanks Carolyn for letting me know~

I moved your post here !

Iris came back this morning. Isn't that delightful! I have been checking as you requested.

Now we wait for Louis.....
oh yeah......what joy.....
carolyn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTmDfbR ... e=youtu.be

[IrishEyes]

From cam chat
@HellgateOsprey
4/2 Iris touched down at 9:51:50 mdt this morning. This marks the earliest Iris has returned in several years. In 2011 Iris returned on 4/1. Never underestimate Iris!

[Heather L]

Wow ,Bev Iris is back , Thank you!
Oh Thank you Carolyn

[Heather L]

You are welcome Heather Q
[/quoteI m on my Smart phone , i remembered yesterday forgot this morning lol

[IrishEyes]

You are welcome Heather !

S'caps from the video!

Iris is looking great ! So beautiful , heathly and rested ! Happy Tears here..

9:54a

9:55a

BBL.Dinner time here~

All Forum members are welcomed to post here !

[Heather L]

She is , i have tears

[Heather L]

have to go i will make sure to check cams

[Woodlands Bleu]

Iris is looking fantastic. Have you noticed how much "fuller" she looks after migration than later in the season? I got chills when I saw she was back at first, borderline tears, but happy ones. It's hard to imagine the long migration she does and then voila, Iris!

Iris you warm our hearts,
which in my humble opinion, is a
very good start to a new year.....

carolyn

[IrishEyes]

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 , 2019

Good Morning Hellgate Osprey and everyone !

Weather Report

8:38a
Quiet on the empty nest

I checked the DVR on both cams and no sign of Iris so far this morning !

Reminder when posting videos please give credit to the person or from (Hellgate Osprey) that did it and if we are posting from what we see on the cam chat .. the same thing applies .... like "I read this on the cam chat.."

[IrishEyes]

Hellgate Canyon Ospreys ~ Iris' 2nd Touchdown At Her Nest, April 03, 2019 with thanks to LawLin 72


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Scaps from the video
10:02a

[Ferenz]

10:02:21 AM

[IrishEyes]

Thanks Ferenz

3:28pm
Quiet at the empty nest

As far as I know Iris hasn't been back since this morning!

[IrishEyes]

7:55p
Daylight is fading on the empty nest

Goodnight Iris and everyone !

[Heather L]

Thank you Bev, Carolyn and Ferenz. Hope Louis arrives soon .

[Woodlands Bleu]

Iris is most likely off eating and filling up after migration, she has time to be on the nest for sure.

As for Louis, Heather, he will be back, no sooner than he arrives.
carolyn
Have a Happy Day....it's our anniversary.

[IrishEyes]

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 , 2019

Good Morning Hellgate , Carolyn, Heather , Ferenz and everyone ! Keeping good thoughts that Louis will arrive soon!

Happy Wedding Anniversary Carolyn to you and Bill ~

Weather Report

5:30a
Dark at the empty nest

[IrishEyes]

From Face Book with thanks to Eric Greene

April 2 at 10:38 AM

Woo hoo!! Iris returned to the Hellgate nest at 9:52 AM on 2 April! No doubt about it - look at those speckled irises. She is looking hale and hearty! Also her behavior is that of a very confident, returning bird. This is her nest, and she knows it.
She is an amazing bird - probably about 24 years old at least. This will be her 12th breeding season at this nest since this nest pole was put up. Before that, she nested for at least 10 years on the power poles where the very scary fake owl sits. And Ospreys generally don't start breeding until they are 3-5 years old. So that gives an estimate of 24 years. This makes Iris one of the oldest known Ospreys in the world.
She looks in great shape, and all ready to go for another season. Now just hoping that Louis survived the winter.
Best, Erick Greene

[IrishEyes]

6:48a
Daylight is breaking on the empty nest

ADDED
8:06a
Zoomer is panning the area

No sign of Iris so far this morning ~

BBL

[Heather L]

Thank you Bev, Did a quick check on dvr , quiet at nest .

[Heather L]

Iris is most likely off eating and filling up after migration, she has time to be on the nest for sure.

As for Louis, Heather, he will be back, no sooner than he arrives.
carolyn
Have a Happy Day....it's our anniversary.

Thank you Carolyn and Happy Anniversary!!!

[Woodlands Bleu]

Thank you Heather!

Waiting for the ospreys......
carolyn

[IrishEyes]

3:08p
Checking in here and nest is empty

I checked the cam chat and I didn't see any mention of Iris being on the nest today but I could have missed it !

From FaceBook
March 24 at 7:44 PM ·
Hello everyone!
Osprey season is just around the corner, and we wanted to give you an update on what we have been doing in preparation.
Charles Eldermire (director of Cornell Lab of Ornithology's bird camera program) was here all last week. It was great that Charles was here for so long, because we had a bunch of technical glitches, and he is a grand master at figuring out stuff like that! Dale Beavers of Garden City Tree Service provided his trusty bucket truck and years of expertise of working with us at Osprey nests. We were finally able to get up a new IR Illuminator, so we can watch the nest at night. (The old one got fried in a power surge, and we did not want to replace it during the breeding season because we would disturb Iris, Louis and L'el'e). We also put in a brand new camera, that can focus closer than the last one. So now we will be able to zoom in all the way and focus on eggs and chicks. What a concept!!
I have attached some photos to give you an idea of the camera upgrade operation.
We are all hoping that Iris and Louis both survived the winter. If they did, they should be back soon!
Best, Erick Greene

CK FB for the Photos and scroll down !
https://www.facebook.com/Montana-Osprey ... 613556909/