Nickname
Miss Ally
Coordinates
(37.4076, -77.3025)
Substrate
Dead Tree
Description
The female osprey, Miss Ally, arrived on March 3, 2013. Their 2012 nest was lost during a violent winter storm, so they will have to choose a new nest site. In a way, the nest being lost is fitting given the story behind the naming of this nest. The last time the nest was lost during a storm they rebuilt in the same tree, which is where the blue dot is. I will adjust as necessary, but can't imagine they will move far. There are very few man made structures in that immediate vicinity so they may again, choose a tree. They may choose the same tree, which is located on the east side of the mouth of Four Mile Creek. 3/14/13. Confirmed that Miss Ally and Katlin are building a nest in the same tree the last two nests have been in. They have very little competition in the back of the loop at the north end of Jones Neck on the James River. In fact, they have no competition from other osprey in that area. To the west is a pair of resident bald eagles, and to the east is one of the last unoccupied territories of bald eagles available for a dozen miles. That is another story in itself.
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2014 - LibbyM2013 - CaptMikeO
aAdult Arrival3/3/13
aOccupiedYesYes
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation
cClutch Hatching
dNestlings2
eFledglings2
eFirst Chick Fledging
fChicks Last Observed
xNest Failure
xReason For Nest Failure

Select Seasons

Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2015 2014 2013

Activity reports

2013 Nest Activity Report by CaptMikeO
Adult arrival03/03/2013Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings2
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2014 Nest Activity Report by LibbyM
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

03/24/2015 by CaptMikeO
Neither of these birds are back from migration as of 3/24/15. Seems kind of late for this pair.

06/11/2014 by LibbyM
Both adults present.

03/02/2014 by CaptMikeO
Heard an osprey in the back of Deep Bottom, about 100 yards from this nest today. Could not locate the osprey. May have been from this nest, but doubt it. It was the first osprey I heard this year.

05/14/2013 by CaptMikeO
Been watching Miss Ally and Katlin for a number of weeks now. Their nest looks solid and they have been incubating for weeks now. No activity that would suggest any egg hatching yet, but soon I am sure. They have been pretty solid over the last couple of years with their offspring productivity.

03/18/2013 by CaptMikeO
Miss Ally & Katlin are definitely building their nest in the same tree that the last two nests were in. In the crook of a tree that hangs over the river, at the mouth of Four Mile Creek at Deep Bottom. Funny how they can find a spot in a tree that appears to have none left and construct a solid foundation for their nest. They have lost two nests in the last two years. The last one falling during a winter storm sometime over this past winter. Two years ago their nest fell in a bad storm just after their two chicks fledged. Happy to report that all four osprey survived that summer storm and both chicks learned to fish, grew strong and flew south for their first migration later that year. On another note ... there are so many osprey arriving, almost daily. It's wonderful to see. Almost can't keep up with all the birds.

03/14/2013 by CaptMikeO
The photo posted is of Miss Ally, the female osprey who is awaiting the return of her mate. She brought a branch to the tree their nest used to be in and placed it near the top of what is left of the tree, but has not brought any more. She seems to be waiting for her mate to return to choose a location to rebuild.

03/05/2013 by CaptMikeO
This nest is dedicated to the crew of the Miss Ally. Five young, experienced, fishermen from Nova Scotia who recently lost their lives at sea in a violent storm off the southeast coast of their home port of Woods Harbour, N.S. The town of Wood Harbour and many of it's neighboring towns are grieving, but their loss will eventually turn into mountains of inspiration for all who knew them and for those who were touched by their story. The crew between the ages of 20 and 32, Capt. Katlin Nickerson, Steven Cole Nickerson, Joel Hopkins, Tyson Townsend and Billy Jack Hatfield will forever be remembered on the James River through a pair of osprey, who happen to be the best fishermen on the river. For more information on the Miss Ally and their crew, simply google "Miss Ally" and you will learn more about the story of these wonderful fishermen. -Capt. Mike