Nickname
Back Gate of HHP on Squire Pope Rd
Coordinates
(32.2355, -80.7452)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
Back Gate of HHP on Squire Pope Rd across from Fire Station
Followers
None
Monitoring groups
What to look for
a
Adult Arrival
Look for 2 adults on the nest. The adult pair will show pair bonding behaviors such as vocalizations, aerial sky dances, and the male feeding the female fish. You may see the pair copulating, which typically begins 14 days before laying eggs.b
Incubation Initiation
Females will lay 1 - 4 eggs at a rate of one egg every 1 - 2 days. After laying, incubation starts. Look for adults taking turns sitting low in the nest incubating eggs. The incubation period can last 35 - 43 days.c
Clutch Hatching
Chicks hatch ~39 days after incubation begins. Look for adults bringing food to the nest and making "head bows" into the center. Chicks typically can't be seen until they are 2 - 3 weeks old, so feeding behavior is the only way to know chicks are there.d
Nestling Count
Around 4 weeks after hatching, look for the heads of chicks to show over the rim of the nest, particularly when adults bring food to the nest. Other times they lie flat and are harder to see. Count the number of chicks in the nest before they learn to flye
Fledgling Count
Chicks begin flying around 7 - 8 weeks old, and are still fed by the adults. Count the number of chicks who have successfully fledged the nest and are observed flying.f
Chick Last Observed
4 - 10 weeks after fledging, chicks begin leaving the nest area to migrate south, once they have learned to fly and feed themselves. Record the date that the last chick left the nest.x
Nest Failure
Look for signs of nest failure like adult abandonment, adults no longer incubating eggs or feeding young.Review All Observations
| 2023 - CarolC | 2022 - CarolC | 2021 - CarolC | 2020 - CarolC | 2019 - CarolC | 2018 - CarolC | 2012 - KristenM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 2/22/23 | 2/19/22 | 3/5/21 | 3/7/20 | 3/12/19 | 3/12/18 | |
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| aActive | |||||||
| bEgg Laying | |||||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 3/13/22 | 3/14/21 | 4/6/20 | 4/9/19 | 3/25/18 | ||
| cClutch Hatching | 4/13/21 | 5/20/19 | |||||
| dNestlings | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| eFledglings | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 7/1/22 | 7/19/20 | |||||
| fChicks Last Observed | 7/6/21 | ||||||
| xNest Failure | 7/13/18 | ||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure | unknown reason |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Activity reports
2012 Nest Activity Report by KristenM
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2018 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/12/2018 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/25/2018 | Nest failure | 07/13/2018 |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure | unknown reason |
2019 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/12/2019 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/09/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/20/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/07/2020 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/19/2020 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/06/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/05/2021 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 07/06/2021 | |
| Incubation initiation | 03/14/2021 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/13/2021 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/19/2022 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/01/2022 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/13/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/22/2023 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
03/21/2023 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Both birds on the nest. One flies away leaving one to watch over the nest.
03/18/2023 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Cloudy rainy day—first time I’ve seen the pair in the nest in a couple of weeks
03/17/2023 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom is on the nest squawking away. Appears Dad is in the tree across the street eating lunch—-and not sharing. (4 photos added)
03/11/2023 by CarolC
Carol U reports: One bird on the nest around noon today. The mate must be fishing as no one in the adjacent trees.
NOTE: Two other people have also reported to me this week that one osprey was at the nest.
03/03/2023 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Watching over the nest and waiting for partner to return. Very vocal!
02/22/2023 by CarolC
Carol U observes: Today is the first day I’ve seen my couple back. They appear healthy.
07/18/2022 by CarolC
NOTE: Based on recent observations, we believe the youngster has fledged probably in early July.
Again, we think this might be a pair that moved into the nest after the original pair fled and abandoned the nest. Our date for fledging is just our best guess based on observations.
The nest looks a bit bedraggled and Carol C hasn't seen any birds there since the July 13th date when Carol U spotted them.
07/16/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Busy bird morning as I was leaving town. When I came home on Saturday evening about 8:30 pm no one on the nest
07/04/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom’s not happy that Dad is in the tree eating a fish. Haven’t seen the little one.
06/19/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports:
Dad is enjoying a Father’s Day fish and Mom is squawking that she’s not happy he isn’t sharing. No sign of junior this afternoon.
06/13/2022 by CarolC
NOTE: This may not be the original pair that started to rebuild this nest back in Feb-March. Observations indicate that the birds completely disappeared for weeks in April and it was feared they abandoned the nest. The original pair MAY have left and a new pair found the nest and moved in. We cannot be sure, but no nestlings were observed until mid June, and if the original incubation from mjd-March produced nestlings, they should have been visible well before mid-June.
06/12/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: we have little guy on the nest! No mom or dad in the trees but he’s watching over things.
06/11/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Keeping watch over the nest. No one in the trees—maybe fishing.
06/06/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports:
Mom was on the nest and Dad was in the tree across the street. 4 Photos added
05/31/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: One in the nest. No one in the trees. I still don’t hear any little chirps.
3 photos added
05/28/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: 5/28/22 about 9am. Bird was in the tree across parking lot from nest and when I started taking pics flew into the nest.
05/26/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Bird on the nest yesterday. It appeared it was eating as the head kept bobbing up and down into the nest.
No bird in the tree.
05/24/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Bird in the nest and one in the tree across the street. There might be hope for this nest yet.
05/14/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Bird in the tree across the street from the nest. He had his back to me and wouldn’t turn around. Seemed to be preening. I could hear an Osprey in the nest but couldn’t see anything.
05/09/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Bird in the tree across from the nest. There was a bird in the nest that I could hear but not see.
NOTE: Carol C did see an osprey deep in the nest late in the afternoon on 5/9.
05/03/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: After seeing no activity for 2 weeks, the birds were back.
I found one bird in the tree and as I was taking pics the mate flew into the nest.
There is a lot of activity from both birds this morning. They’re bringing more moss and twigs to the nest and a lot of Osprey talk going on.
Makes me wonder if these are the original birds or new ones.
multiple images uploaded
04/26/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I spent about 30 min around the nest yesterday. Used the binoculars to see if any movement in the nest. Nothing!
I’ll keep watching for any activity. I’m praying they haven’t abandoned the nest. 2 photos added
04/23/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I’ve been by the nest almost everyday for the past week plus and haven’t seen a bird. Hopefully, one is sitting on the nest—way down deep. I’ll continue to go by at different times in hopes to catch a glimpse of a bird. None of my friends (co-watchers) have seen a bird there either.
04/09/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: The watcher! I saw the partner on the nest but couldn’t get a good shot.
04/02/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: updated the nest data with a new photo. All seems well with the pair and are frequently seen at the nest.
03/16/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: The mate was in the nest earlier—3 images added
I think they may be nesting as both birds have been on the nest each time I’ve driven by this week
03/11/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I took pics this afternoon in the rain but only one bird on the nest. Several images added.
03/10/2022 by CarolC
Tish S reported: Yesterday (Thur 3/10) was the first I had seen Osprey at this nest. I saw one in the morning and the again in the afternoon. In the afternoon I wasn’t on a schedule so I pulled into the senior facility parking lot to watch the Osprey for a minute. Of course right after I pulled over the Osprey hopped down into the nest out of site so I turned around in the parking lot and then got a real show of an Osprey “dog fight” over and around the nest area. A real Snoopy and the Red Baron moment!
02/19/2022 by CarolC
02/19/2022 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Both birds have returned. As you can see the the photo, the next remodel has started.
07/16/2021 by CarolC
Note; While we have not seen the chick since the 7-7-21 Storm, it is likely that it did fledge. We are making that assumption since there was no evidence near the nest of feathers or a chick on the ground following the storm. The last two images taken prior to the storm are posted.
07/09/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I went by the nest twice this morning and no birds in the nest on either trip. I stopped and looked on the ground around the base of the pole but evidence of a bird—nothing disturbed and no feathers. (This is a nest check as a follow up to the storm on Wed.)
07/06/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Junior on my nest is spending more time alone in the nest. One day I was taking pics and Junior didn’t like it—squawking and squaring. It didn’t take long for Dad to show up in a nearby tree but he didn’t go to the nest.
07/06/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: We're getting brave--sitting up in the nest watching the traffic. (See image)
07/02/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Looks like one unhappy bird because I was taking pictures. Taken pre-storm
06/15/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom and Dad were in a tree across the parking lot from the nest. Junior was in the nest alone. Junior was watching and looking around but really wasn’t flapping it’s wings. Mom, of course, was screeching at the little one. Wish I knew what she was saying.
Junior is really growing.
06/04/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports:The chick has been under Mom but when she stood up and rearranged herself you can see the chick under her.
There are a couple of pics where it looks like there might be 2 chicks but definitely one for sure.
note:A couple of the photos do look like there is a second nestling but it is hard to be sure. We are leaving it as one for now and will update it when we are positive there is a second.
05/26/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: several photos posted showing Mom tending the chick in the nest while Dad ate a fish nearby.
05/16/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports a funny observation:
Dad was sitting in a tree across the parking lot enjoying a fish. Mom was on the nest and screaming her head off for him to bring some for the little dude. He had his back to her and was taking his time with the fish.
It made my day! You could almost read Mom’s mind—get the heck home with lunch as we have a hungry baby—and I mean NOW!
04/29/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I was leaving the nest area and heard the little chirping. I took the binoculars and could see this little head. I was able to get a pic but I had to zoom in to view. I only saw one in the nest but will keep looking for another—fingers crossed. The past 2 years there has only been 1 chick.
04/21/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Haven't been able to see the chick yet, but have observed feeding behavior.
04/13/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports:Just as I was getting to the nest, Dad was flying off. He landed in a nearby tree. I think we have a chick! I can hear a little chirp from the nest.
NOTE: based on this, we have indicated one chick but will update it when we can confirm.
04/06/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I was beginning to worry that the pair had left since I hadn’t seen either bird on the nest. I was afraid that the construction going on next to the nest might have disturbed the birds.
On Sunday afternoon, I didn’t see anyone on the nest but heard one in a nearby tree. He never went to the next while I was there but did stay in the tree and then flew off towards the Cypress—he’s been seen fishing in the lagoon off of Birdsong Way.
I did hear calls from the nest but didn’t see the female sitting on the next.
03/30/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I’ve been over at the nest every day for a week and momma Osprey is diligently sitting on the nest. She peeks her head up but you don’t get much more. Dad must be fishing because I haven’t seen him, not even in near by trees.
03/15/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: There were 2 birds in the nest this morning about 9:30. I agree that they are on eggs.
03/07/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports:
As of Friday 3/5/2021 at noon, we have both ospreys on the nest. I went by this morning at 9am but didn’t see them.
03/04/2021 by CarolC
Two additional people reported seeing one adult at the nest platform on 3/3 and 3/4.
03/01/2021 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I spent 15-30 min each day watching the nest on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this past week and saw no activity.
02/25/2021 by CarolC
In the past 10 days, there were several reports by others who drove by this nest, reporting that they saw an osprey at the site, too.
07/21/2020 by CarolC
Sandy P (volunteer for Bird of Prey rescue) reports: Sunday 7/19, I had a call for the osprey nest at the back gate, there was one on the ground. By the time I got there it was gone. It had flown over to the parking lot across from the nest.... Hopefully it’s ok since there were no more calls.
07/19/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Junior is spending more time alone in the nest. I’ve seen him flapping his wings and hovering just above the nest. I don’t think he’s flying yet but almost there.
06/24/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I was watching the nest this afternoon around 1pm and could just see Junior’s head poking out of the nest. Then Mom swoops in with lunch.
I don’t believe Junior has tried to leave the nest yet to start fishing. Last year I saw him stretching and flapping his wings but so far this little fellow hasn’t done that yet.
06/09/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom returning to the nest (photos)--I could hear the chick but not see him
Later: Chick alone on the nest 6/10.20 (photo)
06/08/2020 by CarolC
Carol C reports: Saw one adult and one small head sticking out of the nest today.
05/12/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Visited the nest yesterday and today. Yesterday, only saw one bird on the nest.
Today, both Mom and Dad were on the nest. Dad left the nest and flew to a nearby pine tree with a fish—which he proceeded to eat and not share with Mom!
04/24/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I’ve watched the nest several times this reporting period. One bird is always on the nest. I haven’t seen both birds together these past couple of weeks. Today the nester was very vocal. I waited for the mate to come back to the nest but didn’t before I left.
04/06/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I spent time at the nest on Monday. There was one bird deep in the nest. It didn’t look like anyone was on the nest but the longer I watched, I could see wings and a head when changing positions on the nest. As I was leaving, I saw the other bird land in a tree.
I parked and watched the bird in the tree until it flew to the nest and the nesting bird flew off.
NOTE: Based on this observation, we will assume that incubation has begun.
04/02/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I was at the nest yesterday but no birds were home. It looks like they’ve added a lot to their nest. I’ll check again this weekend to see if the couple is on the nest. Hopefully they were just out fishing when I was there.
03/16/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I spent time monitoring the nest today. Both birds were back and forth bringing twigs and moss to the nest. Renovation is underway in preparation for a comfy home for the potential new family members.
03/07/2020 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Good news—we have 2 birds on the nest!
Will monitor closely this week to see if they are building their nest. This morning they were both on the nest but it doesn’t appear that Moss, sticks, etc. have been added.
07/29/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom and Dad have moved on but Junior is still at the nest. This afternoon he was in a tree across the street from the nest. He’s been fishing at the lagoon off of Bird Song Way (behind my friends house at 11 Birdsong Way). He’s grown a lot and is a beautiful bird. I keep expecting him to move on but not yet.
07/16/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: This big fellow is about to fly the coup! These pics are from this morning about 7:30 and he’s stretching his wings. He didn’t leave the nest but he was flying from side to side in the nest.
07/09/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: The baby was left all alone on Tuesday. I was there about 30 minutes and the folks didn’t return. As you can see, he wasn’t a happy camper!
06/20/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I’ve been over to the nest 3 times this week but haven’t seen the chick. One of the parents was shading (wings spread out) over a portion of the nest yesterday.
06/18/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: We’ve got at least 1 chick in the nest. This was the first time I’ve been able to get a pic of the chick.
06/05/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: Mom and Dad are on the nest more and more. I’ve seen them with wings spread to keep the little ones cool and protected from the heat. I can hear the little chirps but still haven’t been able to determine how many chicks.
05/22/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: , I think we have babies. I’ve seen activity on the nest this week that seems to reflect the mom isn’t sitting on eggs. She seems to be sitting up in the nest and then bends over for a few seconds and then sits back up.
Early this morning, I could hear little chirps as well as the mom’s voice.
With the nest being so high, I don’t know how many babies we might have. I’ll continue to monitor to see if I can see any of the babies as they grow.
05/16/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: . I saw activity on Monday. The mother was adjusting her position and I saw her tail but not her whole body.
Today I heard her calling but didn’t see her mate. I didn’t hear any other chirps
04/22/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: the nest has been very quiet. I haven’t seen either bird during my visits to the nest these past 2 weeks. My friends report to me when they pass by and they’ve seen 1 bird occasionally. I’m making the assumption that they are incubating the eggs. The nest is so high, I can’t see the birds if they are sitting on the eggs, nor can I see their back.
04/09/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: , I believe the nest is now incubating. The past few days the nest looked empty but after waiting for 15-30 minutes, you can just see the head of a bird over the top. I’m attaching a few pictures taken over the past couple of weeks. Today the nest appeared empty and then I spotted a bird in the tree across the street from the nest. He then flies into the nest and you can see him looking over.
04/03/2019 by CarolC
Observer Carol U reports: The osprey have been actively building their nest. I’ve seen both birds bringing twigs, sticks and moss to the nest. This past week I’ve primarily seen the female on the nest (she has a lot of brown feathers on her breast).
03/18/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I watched the nest this morning, 3/18/19 and found 1 bird in the nest. Then a bird flew into a tree above me and I caught these pics of the bird with a fish.
How exciting! Wish I could see up inside the nest
03/16/2019 by CarolC
observer Carol U reports: Friday, 3/15/19 was the first day I saw both birds on the nest. I’d been watching daily last week.
I spent over an hour watching on Saturday afternoon. I primarily saw one bird on the next and the other coming and going with Spanish moss and twigs for the nest.
I’m attaching a few more pics of the nest over the weekend.
03/11/2019 by CarolC
Carol U reports: I’ve got a bird on my nest! I’ll keep watch for the mate this week.
I’m so excited!
03/05/2019 by CarolC
Observer Carol U reports: Daily checking from 2/24-3/4 with no activity to report. This nest was not active until mid-March in 2018.
02/24/2019 by CarolC
observer Carol U reports: I have checked the nest daily since 2/18 and there is no activity
07/13/2018 by CarolC
Mary M. and Tish S. report: There has been no recent activity. The nest appears to be deteriorating. It is a failure this year.
06/24/2018 by CarolC
Observer reports checking the nest twice in the past few days and spotting no activity.
06/06/2018 by CarolC
Observer report: I saw two ospreys on the Squire Pope nest #2508 yesterday afternoon, June 5. I cannot tell if there are chicks. There was also on osprey on the nest on 6/5 about 8:30AM and on 6/6/about1:00PM.
05/10/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: No Osprey cited on Monday or Tuesday but have had a lot of activity Wednesday morning. I'm out here now and have been for about maybe 40 minutes. Osprey was standing on the nest when I got here a little before 10am. I've been watching and the Osprey has been alternating making calls and being quite. Then at about 10:15 she took off after a crow that she apparently didn't like hanging around! The crow would be pestering her from behind then the Osprey would sore high, turn, put her wings back, and dive at the crow. This aerial "dog fight" went on for several minutes before the crow flew off. The Osprey flew around several times and then flew out of my sight for about two minutes, and then came back and got on the nest. Based on the lack of activity in the nest when the parent Osprey returned, I can definitely say there are no chicks in that nest at this point.
04/28/2018 by CarolC
observer reports:2 adult ospreys on the platform & a lot of chirping noises. There was no apparent sign of any chicks yet.
04/18/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: I watched it for a while yesterday. One was sitting on the nest & acted a bit like it was either preening itself, or possibly checking eggs(?). Then it flew away. I don't know if they will leave their eggs unattended. If they won't, then it might mean there are no eggs yet?
04/09/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: I was driving back into the plantation this afternoon and saw one of the Osprey fly to the nest carrying a claw full of nesting materials. The 2nd osprey was standing on the side of the nest and started "working" the nesting materials.
04/08/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: I watched the osprey nest on Squire Pope at the Boathouse (#2508) for a while today. Note that it was a bit chilly today. An osprey was sitting on the nest the whole time I watched. Occasionally he/she ducked it's head down for a bit, as if tending to eggs, but I couldn't really tell for sure
04/04/2018 by CarolC
Observer reports that during her observation: One osprey was always sitting on the nest. At one point, another osprey flew up and flapped around a while, then eventually flew off. The osprey sitting on the nest was looking around in different directions a lot.