The duration of the post-fledging dependence period of OspreysPandion haliaetusat Loch Garten, Scotland

The post-fleding dependence period of Ospreys at Loch Garten, Scotland, lasted an average of 30.4 day (n=35). During this time fledging were observed playing wirh objects, chasing other raptors, practising flight movements related to fishing and trying to fish by themselves. Fish provisioning by the adult male was maintained during the post-fledging period and provisionung ratr 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 are, followed by the fledgings and then the adult male. Observations suggest that the adult male continued providing fish to the nest while the fledgings were in the area and did not promote fledging independence by stopping fish delivery to the nest