Independence days

Since taking their first flights more than two weeks ago, both youngsters have been growing in confidence and are now very strong flyers.

They have begun experimenting with longer and longer flights and, a week after they fledged, spent more than half an hour in the air with 'Dad' flying around and travelling extremely high. They will need this strength and confidence for when they migrate to Africa in weeks to come.

Not content with merely taking pleasure flights, YB decided to try and earn her keep and has had her first attempts at fishing - with little success. Around a week ago, she flew 200 yards down the river and dived three times into the water trying, and failing, to catch a fish.

Disheartened, she went back to the nest with empty talons. However, she will certainly keep trying and we expect to see one of the young bring back their own fish within the next week or so. When they do, their independence will really be established.

For now though, they are still relying on the fishing skills of 'Dad' and 'Mum' - yes, the adult female has been fishing herself, something we have not seen her do all season. Yesterday she came back with a flat fish - we think it was a flounder. She had disappeared a very long way down the estuary, almost to the sea, before she came back with the fish. It was the juveniles' first experience of a flat fish and they weren't too sure how to handle it.

They are still eating in the nest most of the time. YA has had an attempt at eating in one of the nearby trees, but instead of choosing one of the trees favoured by his parents, he picked a a very flimsy branch on a different tree, which proved to be his downfall. He had the fish grasped in his talons, and everytime he bent his head to pick at it, the branch would wobble and he lost balance. This happened over and over again for five frustrating minutes, until finally he conceded defeat and went to one of the trees he has seen his parents use - he got his meal eventually.

The birds are still using the nest to roost in at nights, though throughout the season the adult male as been roosting in a separate tree close to the nest - possibly to allow him to snooze and perform as a night watchman over his family. Once the youngsters are catching fish for themselves, they will use the nest less and less.

As for life beyond the ospreys, we have been treated to great views of a grey seal in the water just outside the viewing hide over the last few weeks. It has made several appearances, coming right up the estuary, and seems as fascinated by us staring down at it as we are with it. Obviously giving the osprey project the 'seal' of approval! (sorry).