In a tall pine tree on Queens Folly Road driving into Palmetto Dunes. Approx 100 yards east of the main bridge just to the right of the road and bike path. It is behind the 15th green of the George Fazio Course. 20yards or so past the tree on the road is a small sign identifying the George Fazio Course.
Fran B reports: I thought we had a definite pair, one guarding the nest...the other bringing branches, etc.
But today, there is a dispute involving 4 Ospreys. They've been circling, swooping, and diving around and above the nest, screeching the whole while.
I do hope that ultimately we will have a viable pair.
Fran B reports:
An Osprey pair landed in nest #7147 at about 1:45 p.m. today. They actually did a bit of housekeeping right away. About 30 minutes later, I heard and saw a pair circling and continuously calling as they flew over our Trent Jones golf course (I think they were taking a brief break), and now they are back on the nest.
Fran B reports: I noticed one of the Osprey juvies at the nest tree this morning, and I got a shot showing the change in the plumage. The white tips at the ends of the feathers are so different from what I was calling "speckles" of white.
Fran B reports:I visited the Fazio golf course this morning and confirmed that at the time of my visit there, the nest was empty. I photographed it from all angles to be sure. I stayed for just over a half hour at around 11 a.m. What I found was one adult Osprey flying overhead with a fish (scolding me the whole time); I also found a juvenile Osprey a couple of limbs higher than the nest - I believe it would need to have flown to that position. I spotted a second adult Osprey in another pine tree not far from the nest tree and believe it was the other parent. I did NOT see the second juvenile, so I am assuming that it was probably the one that had already fledged (the older one which already had several days of flight practice and was off somewhere on its own at the time I was watching the other three). The juvenile on that higher limb clearly still shows the speckled pattern on the wings and the reddish eye. The other two had all-brown wings (no speckling), and the eyes appeared to be yellow.
As late as yesterday, I had seen both juveniles at the nest at the same time.
Fran B reports: I think today was finally THE day, at least for one chick!
I'm attaching a photo of one in flight (two had been in the nest on the street side and one moseyed to the other (golf course) side of the nest. The one on the street side was occasionally exercising its wings, but I noticed one in flight and it was flying towards my direction. I got just a couple of shots, but I'm attaching one. I'm pretty sure this is a juvie...eyes that are reddish (not yellow), a very light tannish band across the breast, and the front edge of the wings have a striped appearance (not totally brown as an adult Osprey has.
As I watched a bit longer, I think I saw an adult fly into the nest (confirmed in photo)...it appeared that the youngster still at the nest went to it; I believe the adult must have brought food to the nest...the chick put its head down and appeared to be feeding. In a subsequent photo (within 2 minutes) I took another shot...and found that the fledgling had come back to the nest.
Carol B reports: Went this morning about 9 am on Fazio golf course to look at nest. The adult was going crazy having me there, squawking and swooping. Stayed about 5 minutes, then went to other side of road to get a different view. Adult was on a branch above the nest, making more “gentle” calling sounds. Never saw it go to the nest, but sure seemed to be protecting it. No heads peeking out while I was there.
Fran B and Carol B report: This morning, I hit the jackpot and was able to finally capture photos of TWO Osprey chicks.
The photos clearly show the "speckled" feathers on wings, the reddish-orange eye, and wing-flapping activity of one chick.
Fran B reports: At 9:30 a.m. and again at 10:30, I saw adult Ospreys on the nest. As I watched, one flew off; the second appeared to be feeding. I thought their was no youngster visible, but in looking at two of the photos, I was able to discern one chick's head.
Fran B reports: Just got back home from 2 visits to our nest tree (one on our way out, then a second look on our way back home). Both times, as soon as I became visible on the golf fairway, the bird on the nest (laying down) immediately started to call to the mate. Within seconds, the 2nd Osprey flew over the nest tree and circled over the fairway. Two crows were immediately available to challenge the Osprey in flight. I did not linger either time, but I was not able to see any portions of chicks, as I did on my first trip to the nest tree via golf course. I think there are youngsters up there but are still being very protected. I've been staying a fair distance from the nest tree, but when I go again I plan to go even further down the fairway in hopes that they might not be so worried! I know that there have been golfers on that course recently, but maybe they know not to be alarmed by golfers...
Fran B reports: I observed two adult Ospreys at the nest. Appeared to be feeding but could not determine if a youngster was being fed.
NOTE: Based on the last few observations, we have listed 1 nestling. That can be changed once we can confirm the number. They may not be quite big enough to confirm more than 1 right now.
Fran B reports: I made several observations from mid-morning into late afternoon. Could see one adult at nest - may have been feeding either itself or perhaps a youngster.
NOTE: Based on the observations of 5-5-20 and the photo, it appears there is at least one fuzzy chick in the nest. It seems to be upright enough to indicate it probably hatched at least a few days ago. Based on observations and photos, we are GUESSING that hatching took place on May 1 making the check several days old. We will adjust if observations indicate we should.
Fran B reports: Went over to the Fazio Course today (no golfing activity) to check the nest and initially saw nobody at the nest. But then I got caught up in a lot of activity. I started hearing Osprey calls that didn't sound like they were coming from the nearby PD water tower. Sure enough, I soon saw two adult Ospreys calling and circling the nest tree. I found that one Osprey had a nice fish in its talons. The other continued calling and circling. Eventually, the fish provided landed on the nest rather briefly. Both parents continued to call and circle. Finally, one of the parents landed at the nest. The second one continued to circle overhead...I believe it was concerned by my walking about trying to get different angles. I moved to a nearby tree and stood still for a while. That bird eventually landed at the top of another tree further away from the nest.
Fran B reports: 4/23/20 10:30 a.m. Saw one Osprey at nest; probable activity - looked like this mature bird may have been eating - standing on the front of Queen's Folly Road side of the nest
Fran B reports: There was no golf activity on the Fazio course, so I was able to walk onto the course and go far enough back from the nest to get views (and photos) of the opposite side of the tree from what I normally am looking at. I was very happy to have my mind eased! I have been very concerned about what that side of the nest looked like since, from my angle of view, it seemed like the nest might be in very bad shape - like sloping downward. Not to worry! The nest looks MUCH better from that side and vantage point. It is very large, appears to be level, and well maintained. I was not able to see any sign of eggs or chicks, but as I walked to my vantage point, an Osprey flew over me and landed on a branch pretty high above the actual nest. "She" perched there for the rest of the time I spent there, which wasn't very long (maybe 5 minutes).
mid-afternoon...One Osprey at nest site, perched in nest tree
Fran B reports: about 11:30 a.m., I spotted the top of the head of one Osprey laying in nest. Soon after, I spotted an Osprey flying into the nest, and immediately the second Osprey left the nest. So...both were present very briefly.
Due to very windy conditions, the nest appears more "disheveled" than ever. Even using binoculars AND camera, it is very difficult to see anything very clearly...unless I happen to be watching at a crucial time (like yesterday).
Fran B and Carol B report:
9:00 a.m. Observed one Osprey on nest...incubating (?)
Noon: No Osprey visible at nest
3:15 p.m.: One Osprey at nest...appears to be incubating
Fran B and Carol B report:
9:10 a.m. Osprey circling and vocalizing flying above the nest tree
11:00 a.m. One Osprey on nest
1:00 p.m. One Osprey on nest, possibly tending nest/eggs/chick(?) or feeding on fish
2:15 p.m. One Osprey standing on nest
3:45 p.m. One Osprey standing on nest
6:30 p.m. One Osprey standing at far edge of nest
Fran B and Carol B report:
9:15 a.m. One Osprey apparently incubating
12:00 p.m. One Osprey apparently incubating
3:00 p.m. One Osprey apparently incubating (all three times observed showed the bird in position (appeared to by laying, not standing) on the farther edge of the nest.)
4:45 p.m. One Osprey standing at far edge of nest; 2nd Osprey flew in (mating or bonding activity?)
6:50 p.m. One Osprey visible at nest
Fran B and Carol B report:
9:00 A.M. One Osprey on nest...incubating
11:00 A.M. One Osprey still on nest
2:00 P.M. One Osprey on nest...incubating
3:00 P.M. One Osprey flew onto the nest. About 2 min. later a second Osprey flew in, then
flew back off the nest (believe maybe a fish was delivered).
4:45 P.M. One Osprey on nest (incubating?)
7:00 P.M. One Osprey standing on nest (waiting for dinner delivery???) (:-)
Fran B and Carol B report:
9:30 a.m. One Osprey at nest
1:30 - 1:45 p.m. One Osprey at nest - standing/vocalizing; a second Osprey flew onto a tree limb, and the Osprey on the nest flew off. (I could not see the Osprey on the limb due to leaf cover, but did NOT see that one fly away.)
2:00 p.m. One Osprey back on nest
4:00 p.m. No Osprey at nest
7:15 p.m. One Osprey, incubating (I think)
Carol B and Fran B report:
Sunday I saw the osprey on the branch by the nest about 11:30
Starting about 1:00 p.m. There was one Osprey standing at the edge of the nest.
Saw Osprey again at 2:05 p.m. standing on nest.
Again, at 2:45 p.m. one Osprey standing at the edge of the nest, this time vocalizing.
At 5:30 p.m. One Osprey flew from the nest and landed in a tree on our side of the lagoon system, maybe to fish?
At 5:45, One Osprey returned to the nest.
Fran B reports: 8:30 a.m. Both Ospreys at nest; one flew off at about 8:40
10:25 a.m. One Osprey at nest - noticed preening/grooming activity
1:55 p.m. One Osprey standing in nest
5:10 p.m. One Osprey on nest - appears to be laying down near the front side of the nest (closest side to our dock)
Fran B reports: Just a few minutes ago (4 p.m.) saw Osprey at nest. On a whim, I carried my camera outside, saw another Osprey flying in (responding to calling?). Mating activity occurred!!! Within about 10-15 seconds, the male flew off
Fran B (subbing for Carol B): While I would not say that the Ospreys are back at the nest, I think food was in the nest. One of the juvenile Ospreys made his presence known on Saturday, when he perched in a tree across the water from our dock. He had in his talons a kind of partially eaten, possibly a bit dessicated fish. I think photos show a bit of blood, but it didn't look too great! I got a fairly good series of shots on Saturday, especially like the ones with spread wings and taking off with the fish.
He was back on Sunday, apparently with the same fish remnant (?) ! I saw the adult sitting on a nest tree limb, on the opposite side of the tree from the actual nest. Lots of incessant calling, too. On Sunday, the juvie was perched on a tree limb right above our dock, so really close. I stayed back from the dock, but he was definitely watching me.
Fran B (subbing for Carol B): I looked at the nest with binocs from my dining area and saw two Ospreys. So...I took my camera for a walk down to the dock. Low and behold, my shots clearly show TWO speckled Ospreys, and in shots of their front, each have the buffy color on the across the breast. I can't believe this...
Most of the photos I got of two birds on the nest clearly showed the difference between baby and adult plumage plus the different eye color (yellow vs. orangish)...
Here are two photos to show that there are actually TWO young in the nest. This is the first confirmation that the nest produced two young osprey. What a surprise find!
Fran B (subbing fro Carol B) reports:
This morning, I spotted the young Osprey perched on a limb away from the nest. It was not in a different tree...opposite side of tree and on a higher limb. He almost flew yesterday...
So, I guess this youngster can be said to have officially fledged!
Fran B reports: Took a few pics on July 4 of the Osprey juvenile testing its wings and am sending the best one.
Also took some shots of an adult at the nest today...did not see a second bird at the nest, so either the juvenile was off practicing flying or was just out of sight line.
Carol B and Fran B report: Sending 3 images...one clearly shows a juvie in the nest with an adult, plus "Dad" with a fish which he has been dining on, but also taking lots of time to call to the nest occupants. I was hoping the juvie would actually fly, but it did not...and I still have not seen that happen.
Carol B and Fran B report:
I still am seeing an adult with one juvenile. The other day I saw the juvie doing a lot of wing-flapping. Mom was at the nest...and right across the lagoon from our dock, an Osprey which I believe was Dad, kept calling and calling...and Mom would sometimes call back. But the juvie
still didn't try to fly while I was watching. I saw the adult on the nest yesterday and just a bit (a
bit of a head shape of what I thought was the youngster behind her). Surely, that youngster will be flying away any day now.
Carol B and Fran B report: Attached are 3 not-very-good photos. The first two were from yesterday and the third was from today.
It takes some "imagination", but if you look closely you can distinguish a second bird's head in the nest. One really bad shot shows the youngster with it's wings slightly raised, but I did not include that one.
Carol B and Fran B report: Nest #7147 is still hard for me to see into, but Fran is doing an outstanding job getting a better view of the activity. NO sign of the chicks yet, not sure if because nest is so deep, or they are not there/shy. NOTE: There did seem to be feeding activity happening on May 14th so we have listed that as the hatching date, but that is just our best guess.
Carol B and Fran B report: saw the bird in nest yesterday, preening itself. This nest is very difficult to observe, but we do think incubation has been occurring but cannot pin point the date. We will make a tentative guess of April 5 based on an observation and will adjust it if we can determine when the youngsters hatch.
Observer reports: nest # 7147
I have visited 3 times in the past wk. Mom or Dad seems to be tending to the nest but I
Have not see any young ones. Nest is pretty high.
observer reports: I checked on it the past 2 days. Both days an adult Osprey was on the nest. Today a second adult was very close by in a tree. I can't tell if there are any babies.
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