THE DURATION OF THE POSTFLEDGING DEPENDENCE PERIOD OF OSPREYS PANDION-HALIAETUS AT LOCH-GARTEN, SCOTLAND

The post-fledging dependence period of Ospreys at Loch Garten, Scotlan d, lasted an average of 30.4 days (n = 35). During this time fledgling s were observed playing with objects, chasing other raptors, practisin g flight movements related to fishing and flying to fish by themselves . Fish provisioning by the adult male was maintained during the post-f ledging period and provisioning rate had no effect on the duration of the post-fledging dependence period. The adult female was usually the first individual to disappear from the nesting area, followed by the f ledglings and then the adult male. Observations suggest that the adult male continued providing fish to the nest while the fledglings were i n the area and did not promote fledgling independence by stopping fish delivery to the nest.