Joanne V reports: The story of 2 nestlings who became fledglings.
The two siblings were together in the nest eating. No sign of parents. The sib on the left finished and was excused from the “dinner table;” off he/she went to perch on a nearby tree. The other sib continued to eat its fish, after which, he/she flew out and joined sibling in the nearby tree.
NOTE: We have posted July 2 as the date of fledging as an estimate.
Joanne V reports: Pose for the camera! Two nestlings in the nest, adult in nearby tree looking toward the nest. Tough to differentiate who’s who these days.
Joanne and Mary Alice T report: Just 2 again in the nest. The one of the left, whom I judge to be a nestling, seemed to be practicing wing flapping for about 5 minutes. Shortly thereafter the one on the right (mama?) began repositioning in the nest. She actually spent most of the observation eating a fish and ignoring her offspring. NOTE:The other probably hasn't fledged yet since it would be a couple weeks early.
Joanne V reports: Again, only saw one nestling today and no inkling of any other movement in the nest. Wonder if the older nestling actually fledged. If so, this one is likely to fledge soon.
Joanne V reports: Sometimes a nestling was seen to right of mom and sometimes to left. Didn’t see much movement in nest, so I’m assuming they are not the same nestling. Definitely appearing larger than last time I observed.
Joanne V reports: Only saw the one nestling today, but there was lots of chatter in the nest. Dad flew into the nest a bit later; think he might have dropped off a fish because after he left, she looked like she was eating
Joanne V reports: My first nestlings’ sighting this year. The one closest to mom I judge to be older than the one on the far right. She is much more active, even flapping her wings. The younger one only popped it’s head up for a brief period while I observed, while the “older” one remained visible the entire time. No sign of Papa today. NOTE: Based on the estimated start of incubation and the size of the chicks seen today, we will estimate that hatching took place about May 11th.
Joanne V reports: When I arrived Mama was eating a fish. Then, she flew out of nest (bottom pic) and went to nearby tree where Papa had been sitting (top pic). She stayed for a short while, appeared to regurgitate (a long white stream) and then she flew back to nest (middle pic). No sign of any nestlings.
Joanne V reports: When I arrived, “mama” was constantly repositioning herself in nest, often bowing head down into nest. “Papa” was sitting in a nearby pine tree. After awhile, he flew out of tree and by the nest, but never stopped at nest and didn’t return before I left. He does have a fish in his talons. I keep thinking there should be chicks in nest, but haven’t seen any as yet.
Joanne V reports: When I arrived, could barely see mama in nest.
Just part of her wing. She did pop up very briefly, but too quickly retreated so did not get photo. I waited about another 15 minutes and another Osprey flew around the nest, but did not fly into the nest. I waited another 10 minutes or so, but no more sightings. Trying to figure out what he is carrying.
Joanne V reports: Can slightly see wing tip to the left. While I didn’t see anything else this morning, the foursome playing tennis below the nest reported lots of noise earlier and one Osprey flying in and out. observed for 20 min.
Joanne V is monitoring this nest with Mary Alice T:
Joanne V reports: When I arrived saw nothing in nest, but heard that familiar peep and saw the “dad” in a tree near the nest. Then he flew out of the tree and went into the nest and “mom” popped up into view. After a few minutes, “mom” flew away and then “dad” took “mom’s” place on the left side of nest (no picture as he submerged out of sight very quickly). Based on the behavior, I’m thinking there may be eggs in this nest. NOTE: Based on this observation, we will assume that incubation has started within the past couple days.
Mary Alice T reports: I have seen no evidence of a chick fledging from this nest. It has been 3.5 months since probable hatching so sadly, the chick that was observed did not make it.
Mary Alice: Observations: Could not see anything on or in the nest. Two Osprey flying around, headed for the ocean. One came back with a fish but landed on a faraway pine tree. The second Osprey never returned. Sunny, hot day. No sight of chick and could not hear chicks. Tennis courts had no players. Took one shot of the empty nest.
Mary Alice T reports: One Osprey (male??) sitting quietly in nearby tree. Sadly, no sign of female or any chicks in nest. I have spotted chick before and it should be pretty big by now. Thinking maybe this nest failed, but will continue to check. Sunny, hot, humid day. Tennis court below was full of players. 1 photo (of Osprey sitting in tree)
Mary Alice T reports:DATE: June 13, 2019
TIME: 2:00pm
Observations: Female Osprey was sitting on nest with at least one chick observed from last week. Sunny, nice day. No sighting of male. Female was hunkered down and intently looking down; could have been feeding her chick. No sight of chick and could not hear chicks. Tennis courts had no players. 3 photos
Mary Alice reports: Female Osprey was sitting on nest with at least one chick. Cloudy, breezy day. Male sitting in a nearby tree, where he usually perches. Female was extending her wings trying to keep the chick shaded. Chick was panting. So excited that I found her with a healthy chick! Tennis courts had no players.
Mary Alice reports: Observations: Female Osprey was sitting quietly on nest. Sunny, hot, breezy day. Male sitting in a nearby tree, where he usually perches. Female appeared to be poking around, but again didn't see or hear any chicks. A third Osprey intruded into the area and began flying near the nest. The parent Ospreys went crazy making a huge racket until the interloper left. Everything quieted down. Tennis courts had several players. 3 photos
Mary Alice T reports: TIME: 3:40pm
WHERE: VanDerMeer Tennis Club (Shipyard)
Observations: Female Osprey was sitting quietly on nest. Head just barely visible. Sunny, breezy day. No sign of the male. Could not hear any chicks but think she has had some. No photos taken since you could just barely see the Mom's head.
Mary Alice T's Observations: Female Osprey was sitting quietly on nest. Sunny and warm today. Male flew in with a fish. Both appeared to be poking around, possibly feeding some chicks. Then male flew off with a fish which he ate on a nearby tree. Tennis courts quiet with no players. 3 photos
NOTE: Based of the description, we recorded hatching as 4/22, which is our guess.
Mary Alice T observes: Observations: Female Osprey was sitting quietly on nest. Sunny and warm today. Lot's of Tennis players below. No male around anywhere. This Osprey was baking in the sun after a terrible rain storm last night. 1 photo. Note: I recorded incubation as staring on 3/20...a guestimate confirmed by this report.
Mary Alice T reports: March 10, 2019
4:27pm
Observations: Finally Osprey is sitting quietly on nest! Appears they have done some housebuilding on the lamp post as the nest looks bigger than last year. When I was leaving, I observed a male Osprey flying around and then nesting Osprey began to make calling noises. Sunny and warm today.
Mary Alice reports: DATE: July 21, 2018
TIME: 4:57pm - 5:10PM
WHERE: VanDerMeer Tennic Club, Shipyard Plantation
Observations: One remaining chick on nest; Was crying when I first got there, but then became quiet. Also appeared to be eating something when I first arrived. The two other fledglings were no where to be seen and no adults around. No other activity observed. Very quiet since no one was playing tennis and I felt a little sorry he was all by himself. I suspect the nest will be empty within the next day or two. 2 photos.
observer reports: DATE: July 8, 2018
TIME: 5:30pm - 6:00PM
WHERE: VanDerMeer Tennic Club, Shipyard Plantation
Observations: Delighted to show up with not two but THREE chicks sitting patiently on the nest, surveying the tennis courts. Also, posed nicely for some photos. They will not be around much longer. At first theh chicks were being quiet, but you could hear an adult in the distance and they started frantic calling noises. Then out of the blue (and very quickly) an adult flew in with a large fish and dumped it into the middle of the nest. I totally missed the shot. She flew around once and then landed on the left side of the nest, but did not attempt to help the chicks eat the fish. She stayed for about 5 minutes just observing and then flew off, leaving the chicks to fight over the fish. And fight they did! But eventually they all got to chow down and were being quiet by the time I left. I love the one shot when the mother (left) is watching the chicks. At one point a few weeks ago, I thought maybe there were 3 chicks in the nest, but just couldn't determine for sure. This is my first nest with 3 chicks.
Warm but not terrible and a little breeze blowing.
observer reports: Observations: One chick on nest; did not see a 2nd chick that was reported on last observation. No adult anywhere around the nest. No other activity. Got a shot of just the head (barely!) Very hot day and sun was beating directly on this nest. Very quiet since no one was playing tennis
observer reports: Observations: One female Osprey sitting in nest and calling constantly (and loudly) for mate who was sitting on a nearby tree with his back to her. Clearly 2 chicks in nest who were up and alert. 4 people playing tennis below (unfazed by the racket the female was making.) Hot and humid; Mom and 2 chicks panting.
observer reports: 10 minute observation: One female Osprey sitting on nest and calling for mate. No mate in sight. No other activity. People playing tennis and lots of noise. Female baking in the hot sun and panting heavily. Did not observe chicks nor hear any.
observer reports: Observations: One female Osprey sitting deep in nest and calling for mate. No mate in sight. No other activity. Once again, I could only get a shot of just the top of her head. Many people playing tennis and moderate noise below.
Warmish. Did not see mate nor any chicks; did not hear any chicks.
Observations: One female Osprey sitting deep on nest and calling for mate. No mate in sight. No other activity. I could only get a shot of just the top of her head. People playing tennis and moderate noise.
Coolish. Could be incubating eggs now. 1 photo.
observer reports: One female Osprey sitting on nest on a light post in the middle of a court. Many people playing tennis and lots of noise. Female making lots of calling noise to her mate who was on a nearby tree eating a fish. This went on and on and on. Finally the male flew over to the nest and dropped a bit of fish off and then flew back off with a very large chunk of fish and proceeded back to the nearby tree where he frequently sits/eats. Female ate the meager offering and after about 15 minutes, flew off the nest to the area of the ocean/beach (presumably to get some more food) Male continued to eat his fish.
Cool and slightly breezy evening. Did not observe any chicks or hear any.
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