Last one sitting

Here they go then.
The ospreys have fledged.
We were watching them today, stretching their wings, flapping, feeling the wind.
Then a good gust gave him the confidence to try it out...and he went some 8 feet up, flapping madly, before settling rather clumsily back on the nest.
Sighs of relief all round! From us at least.
I wonder if the parent birds feel anxiety when they see their young lifting off so boldly? If the young birds have to screw up their courage, shut their eyes, and just go for it? Or perhaps they just cannot resist the call of the wind, and that mysterious drive to fly all the way to Africa, all on their own.
The adults spent some time both on the nest, taking off, circling and landing, and it really did look like they were demonstrating how it should be done.
By the end of this week the young birds will have flown a little way from the nest, though they will still wait to be fed until they have the control to try fishing for themselves. Another skill to master at such a young age, before they head off on their first great journey.
The very best of luck to them, and we hope to see them back next year.