Nickname
Mishawaka AEP Damn
Coordinates
(41.6657, -86.137)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
On the property of AEP Hydro-Electric Plant, Mishawaka, IN 46545. I recently was given a pass to come onto their property to observe the nest more closely. The ospreys are back for the 2019 nesting season, though I don't know when they arrived.
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2015 - old lady golfer2014 - old lady golfer2013 - old lady golfer2012 - old lady golfer2011 - old lady golfer
aAdult Arrival3/30/144/3/133/29/12
aOccupiedNoYesNoNoNo
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation4/11/13
cClutch Hatching6/2/14
dNestlings1323
eFledglings1323
eFirst Chick Fledging7/15/147/15/137/18/12
fChicks Last Observed9/8/159/5/149/12/139/3/12
xNest Failure
xReason For Nest Failure

Select Seasons

Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2019 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Activity reports

2012 Nest Activity Report by old lady golfer
Adult arrival03/29/2012Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/18/2012
Egg layingChicks last observed09/03/2012
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2013 Nest Activity Report by old lady golfer
Adult arrival04/03/2013Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings2
Nest Active First chick fledging07/15/2013
Egg layingChicks last observed09/12/2013
Incubation initiation04/11/2013Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2011 Nest Activity Report by old lady golfer
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2014 Nest Activity Report by old lady golfer
Adult arrival03/30/2014Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/15/2014
Egg layingChicks last observed09/05/2014
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatching06/02/2014Reason for nest failure
2015 Nest Activity Report by old lady golfer
Adult arrivalNestlings1
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings1
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed09/08/2015
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

05/16/2019 by maroonbell
Spent a short time at the nest site on 5/15/19. Observed movement in the nest but couldn't tell if it was an adult or hatchling as it was sitting deep in the nest bowl.

04/24/2019 by maroonbell
I've been observing this nest since the summer of 2016, from across the river. Recently AEP, whose property this nest is located, granted me permission to access the nest area in order to observe more closely. In the picture I posted, taken early April, you can see the head of the female sticking out of the nest platform. She may be sitting on eggs now since she didn't leave the nest and the male, I spotted first on a nearby pole and then saw him fly to a tree closer to the nest and near the riverbank, then back to the nest for a few minutes. The nest platform is the new nesting site for this nest instead of the utility pole as was used previously. AEP told me they consulted with the DNR on placement location and height, etc. but installed the nesting pole and platform themselves, after which the osprey began using it the next nesting season, and every nesting season since.

11/27/2015 by old lady golfer
The number of nestlings is just a guess as it seemed only one chick was flying with parents and could be seen on the nest.

05/29/2015 by old lady golfer
noticed one very small head sticking up today

03/28/2015 by old lady golfer
Both birds on the nest today.

11/04/2014 by old lady golfer
Have not seen any osprey activity since Sept 2014. As far as I know the three young birds fledged.

10/03/2014 by old lady golfer
Have not seen nor heard any osprey activity since Sept 5, 2014.

06/12/2014 by old lady golfer
There is a third young bird. Was not sure until I could see all three heads poking up today.

06/02/2014 by old lady golfer
6/2/14 observed 2 babies popping their heads up to be fed. This is the first I have noticed any activity from the young. Not sure of exact hatch date. Will watch to see if more than 2 young.

04/08/2014 by old lady golfer
The second osprey arrived the weekend of 4/5 and they are hanging around the nest, catching fish and sitting on the cross arms of the electric towers.

03/30/2014 by old lady golfer
Male is repairing the nest and hanging around. Have only seen one so far. This has really been the only nice day to watch any activity.

10/04/2013 by old lady golfer
Two young birds and one adult were seen and heard thru mid Sept, then they all departed. One lone bird was there a day later but none have been here since.

08/03/2013 by old lady golfer
The ospreys are still in the area but spending little time at the nest site. AEP has some heavy equipment and workers near the site but they are "fishing" along the river.

07/28/2013 by old lady golfer
Both young ospreys are flying over the river and one was observed with a fish yesterday.

07/15/2013 by old lady golfer
The chicks are standing in the nest, flapping wings and rising above but not leaving the nest yet.

04/03/2013 by old lady golfer
4/3/2013 The osprey is rebuilding the nest in the same tower where the one from last year blew out in a wind storm. He is flying overhead scouting trees for sticks to take to the nest.

09/15/2012 by old lady golfer
There has not been any activity in the nest area and I have not heard any calls for about a week. Without the nest, the ospreys had been using nearby electic towers and poles for eating and resting.

09/03/2012 by old lady golfer
I went out to the river this morning and there were still 2 ospreys at the site. Assuming one was a young one since it was eating and the other was in flight. Sorry for the incorrect report today.

09/03/2012 by old lady golfer
With the nest blown off the tower, the young would return to the tower but I don't know where the adults were feeding them. The 3 appeared around for some time but there has been no activity for about a week now - none flying around or calling. Hope they rebuild next spring.

08/09/2012 by old lady golfer
7/9/2012 The nest blew off the tower during a storm on 8/4. The three young are still flying around and at least one parent is still with them. They land on the tower where the next used to be and call for food. Not sure where the parents are taking food for them.

07/22/2012 by old lady golfer
The first chick was flying 7/18 and the other two were on the wing 7/20. They are still really close to the nest but land on posts, railings and cross bars of the electric towers.

07/11/2012 by old lady golfer
7/11/12 the 3 chicks are doing the wing flapping with straight up lift-off from the nest but have not flown yet. One of the parents was flying around the nest and would land and take off again probably trying to encourage flight.

07/03/2012 by old lady golfer
All 3 chicks are being fed by the adults and are surviving the extreme heat in the midwest. They are getting quite large and may soon try their wings.

03/30/2012 by old lady golfer
The nest has been there 3 years that I know of. Today the osprey was snagging branches from tall trees to reinforce the nest. Sometimes the male will eat a fish on one of the other towers and the female chatters for her share.