Osprey nest is on CSA maintenance pole off Lawton Canal Road, right after turn into back entrance to Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
The best way to see the nest (on the skinny pole, not the water tower) is to go in the back gate, entering Forest Preserve on Lawton and park at first right hand turn under the tree before you get to the little gazebo with maps. Walk on the path to the gate and peer through. Walk a bit further and peer between trees. Very hard to see this nest as it is high up.
Christine B reports: A small section of this nest survived the wind and rain we experienced this season.
However there was one Osprey perched on the nest that survived chirping today.
Christine B reports: Osprey Nest #6981 June 24, 2020 7:30pm
I observed one adult Osprey perched on the edge of the nest and two Fledglings
in the nest. The third and smaller of the three Fledglings was perched on a metal structure
attached to the tower about 20 feet down from the nest. I was so very excited to see the smaller of the three Fledglings out of the nest.
I now know that at least two of the youngsters have fledged . :)
Christine B reports: Nest #6981 8:15pm
I observed three young Osprey in the nest.
10 minutes into my observation time I witnessed one of the offspring take flight. She circled above the nest once and then landed back in the nest. I also observed one adult land on the edge of the nest briefly She then took off and was out of sight quickly.
Christine B reports: Nest #6981 CSA SP tower 7:15 am June 9, 2020
I observed one adult Osprey standing on the nest and Three young Osprey in the nest this morning.
Christine B reports: When I arrived there was one adult Osprey perched on the left edge of the nest.
I did see another adult a bit later pop up and spread her wings a few times.
I also observed what looked like a smaller Osprey's head on the right side of the nest.
Left side of nest can be observed from inside the Preserve NOTE: We are listing at least 1 chick and will update as more become visible.
The right side is the CSA water filtration plant service road observation point.
Christine B reports: Observed on May 10th and 17th 2020 No new behavior observed . One Osprey standing in the nest keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. Partner was nowhere to be seen.
Christine B reports: I observed one adult standing in the nest looking around and once in awhile she would lowered her head into the nest. Her partner was perched on the
tower below the nest preening.
NOTE: Based on this report we assume that the eggs have hatched sometime in the past week. The date of April 27 is a pure guess.
Christine B reports: Osprey nest # 6981 before the storm.
I observed the tops of two Osprey heads in the nest.
One of the adult Ospreys flapped their wings, flew
and then perched on the tower below the nest.
I kept watch for approximately 10 minutes but I
did not observe any other activity in this nest.
Christine B reports: I have observed one Osprey sitting low in her nest with the ends of her tail feathers showing.
She did stand up for a couple of minutes, seemed to be moving around her eggs again
and then settling back down in the nest. I did not see her partner today.
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey in this nest today. She was standing in the nest and looked like she was rearranging something but that is just my guess.
I drove to the other side of the CSA filtration plant hoping to be able to get a better look at what was going on up there but
unfortunately the view wasn't any better.
Christine B reports: 11:30 AM I observed two Osprey at this nest this morning. One of the adult Osprey was sitting low in the nest and her mate was standing on the edge of the nest.
NOTE: Based on this observation, we are thinking incubation is occurring.
Christine B reports: Thrilled to report I observed two Osprey in Nest #6981 CSA Communications Tower for the first time today. One was sitting in the nest while the other was standing in the nest. They both took off and soared above the nest for a short time. The couple returned to the nest and settled down.
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey perched on the edge of the nest on top of the tower
I also observed one Osprey on the Pine tree directly in front of the
nest. I can't say that they are a couple due to the fact that I haven't seen
them perched on the nest together.
Christine B reports: There were two hatchling in this nest. I was lucky to see one of those Hatchlings fledge . I visited this nest for one week and always saw one Osprey occupying the nest. Finally two weeks from my June 26th report the nest was empty. I believe my second hatchling fledged during sometime before July 14th.
Christine B reports: Osprey Nest #6981 June 26th 2019 AM
Observed three Osprey in the nest. One parent and two siblings.
Mom flew off toward the Ocean and one of the siblings flew off and soared in the general vicinity for awhile then disappeared.
The Osprey that was left behind did not look like she was interested at all in taking flight. After approximately 15 minutes Mom returned
with a fish which she gave to her baby. Mom stood watch as her baby ate.
Christine B reports: June 17th 2019 7:45 PM
I observed one of my babies fledge tonight.
He flapped his wings and rose up from the edge of the nest and came back down three times. On his fourth try he rose up and took to flight. He took off, circled and landed 3 times then he settled down in the nest. His sibling is still hunkered down in the nest.
Christine B reports: June 15, 2019 Nest # 6981
Observed Mom and two offspring standing on the edge of the nest
chirping and flapping their wings. Looks like they will fledge soon.
Mary Alice T added some info: While observing another nest, she noticed there was a huge commotion at this nest with one Osprey sitting on the nest, another sitting on part of the tower and a third circling up above. It had gotten them all riled up...
Christine B reports: A couple of days ago I observed 3 Adult Osprey at this nest. Two flew off one remained. At first I thought one offspring had fledged but he was big and they looked a little too young a few days earlier. I did count two offspring in the nest after observing a bit longer.
Today I spent some time in the Preserve observing this nest from all angles and distances. Two Adults were present in the nest only saw one of the offspring today.
Christine B reports: May 19th, 2019 AM Nest #6981 Joyful Report I was able to see Mom Osprey with two of her offspring this morning in the nest.
From the Preserve side I saw one but from the water treatment side in front of her I could see two small chicks. NOTE: Based on these observations, we have made our best guess on hatching date ...April 27.
observer Christine B reports: I observed two Adult Osprey standing on the edge of the nest. The Dad flew off . I stayed for some time hoping to see him return with a fish and maybe I would be able to see chicks but the bugs got the better of me.
report from Christine B.
Obseved one Osprey in the nest sitting very low. I could only see the very top of her head when she moved from time to time.
Could not locate her partner. He was probably out fishing.
Christine B reports: Sea Pines Preserve. 12:30 pm Two Osprey in the nest. One sitting very Low could only see the head.
Second Osprey standing in the nest observing the surroundings .
On guard duty :)
observer Debby B. reports: think the 2 osprey chicks (quite big) flew about 27th June, but they are still on nest. Sometimes one, one day none, today both there on nest. Can't say for sure, but you can put down July 1 for fledge date.
Observer Jim G. was able to help at this nest by viewing it through his scope. It was quite a day at the nest.
6981 01:06pm - 02:16pm
At 01:06pm Two juveniles standing in nest; one is exercising flight muscles.
At 01:12pm Female brings fish to the nest. A third juvenile pops up and join in the eating. Female leaves the three kids to eat.
At 01:28pm One of the juveniles continues the flight muscle exercises.
At 01:35pm Female returns to the nest with another fish and begins to eat
At 01:37pm The larger juvenile (the one who had been exercising) takes to the air and flies out of sight.
At 01:41pm The female starts tearing pieces of fish off of the carcass and giving them to the remaining two juveniles.
At 01:45pm One of the remaining two juveniles resumes wing flapping.
At 01:49pm I hear an osprey calling in the distance; the female and the two juveniles remaining in the nest are scanning the sky.
At 01:52pm The female is still eating and tearing off chunks for the two remaining chicks.
At 01:59pm The female has finished eating and is now just feeding remainder of the fish to one of the juveniles.
At 02:16pm The female and 2 juveniles remain in the nest. No further sightings of the juvenile that flew at 01:37pm.
Observer Debby B. reports: The two osprey babies are waving their wings with at least one parent always in attendance. Very hard to see this nest as it is so high up.
observer Debby B. reports that it appears the adults are feeding chicks....chicks not yet visible
Based on this, guessing that they hatched about the 1st...but this is purely a guess.
Past Seasons
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Nesting Diaries