Nickname
Old Sam's Club Parking Lot
Coordinates
(32.2128, -80.7013)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
Port Royal Plaza "Old Sam's Club" Parking Lot on 278
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 | 2017 - CarolC | 2013 - CarolC | 2012 - KristenM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 2/28/23 | 2/12/22 | 2/21/21 | 1/29/20 | 2/23/18 | ||||
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| aActive | |||||||||
| bEgg Laying | 3/6/22 | 3/3/21 | |||||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 3/6/22 | 3/3/21 | 3/8/20 | 3/13/19 | 3/12/18 | ||||
| cClutch Hatching | 4/17/22 | 4/25/21 | 4/20/19 | 4/22/18 | |||||
| dNestlings | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||
| eFledglings | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 6/13/22 | 7/1/21 | 6/20/19 | ||||||
| fChicks Last Observed | 7/23/21 | 6/20/20 | 8/7/13 | ||||||
| xNest Failure | |||||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure |
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 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 0 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2013 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 08/07/2013 | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2017 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | |
| 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 | 02/23/2018 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/12/2018 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/22/2018 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/20/2019 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/13/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/20/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/21/2021 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/01/2021 | |
| Egg laying | 03/03/2021 | Chicks last observed | 07/23/2021 |
| Incubation initiation | 03/03/2021 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/25/2021 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/12/2022 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/13/2022 | |
| Egg laying | 03/06/2022 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 03/06/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/17/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 01/29/2020 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 06/20/2020 | |
| Incubation initiation | 03/08/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/28/2023 | 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
03/07/2023 by CarolC
Joanne V reported that she also saw the pair mating. This happened today. This makes at least 3 mating reports in the past couple days which bodes well for the nest.
03/05/2023 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: WOOHOO!!! The pair mated twice this evening. We are so excited!
03/04/2023 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: This week all we saw was the male. Sitting on the nest or nearby. Seems like he is not bringing any more nesting material but still patiently waiting.
02/28/2023 by CarolC
Deb S. and Pauline D report: Deb and I have been going to the nest every day or every other day since the watch began. Up until today, we have only seen the female. Today, we believe it was the male building the nest.
02/28/2023 by CarolC
Joanne V observed: Today, Mama was in the nest, but she seems to still be rebuilding. She flew out several times and brought back nesting material. So clearly she has not yet produced eggs.
02/21/2023 by CarolC
Pauline D observes: I was at the nest today and saw a few sticks and some on the ground underneath. A crow was on the nest when suddenly the female osprey came and chased it off. Then she was off.
02/20/2023 by CarolC
Joanne V sent a photo of this nest looking totally gone. I was fine earlier in the month. There were a lot of crows around the osprey previously. We will have to watch and see what happens and if they rebuild.
07/29/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports:Just an update. The female chick is still looking for her dad to feed her. She goes from the nest to dad's tree to one other tree near CVS. She looks healthy and two days ago I saw her with a good size fish and eating it while on a tree. I check her often.
06/18/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: The second baby fledged today. She is a female. The first born is a male.
The mother fed the baby sitting on an oak tree limb with her.
Yay!!! Very successful year.
06/13/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: Baby on oak tree 6/13/22. We believe it was after his first flight. He stayed there a long time...like now what am I to do. Fresh fish eventually lured him back to the nest.
The day or two when he was practicing. He was very much in control while flapping. 4 photos added
05/22/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D sent four photos that were added of the three youngsters. NOTE: Joanne V (monitor of a different nest) was near this nest and reported to me that on 5/22 she saw one of the young flapping its wings and "branching" just off the nest.
05/11/2022 by CarolC
Brady H reports: I went by the nest today. The female was waiting on delivery of a fish which she did receive.
I watched her feed the babies for 20 to 30 minutes and never saw a third baby. I would be very surprised if it still is in the nest, I am sorry to say. Hope I am wrong!!
05/10/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: On 5/10 we only saw 2 babies. We are going almost every day now.
05/08/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: Much to my surprise and delight, a third baby was able to be seen for the first time on 5/7/22. That is the first sighting of three!!! It must have been there the whole time as it can lift its little head up now.
The last time this couple had 3, one of them disappeared from the nest and never made it. I hope that doesn't happen this time. The female mother has been busy bringing sticks to the nest to fortify it. so fingers crossed!
NOTE: Photo posted showing 3 nestlings.
05/01/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: Today, May 1, 2022, we had our first real sighting of the osprey babies X2. We knew that they existed and were being fed but today, we finally got to see them when Dad brought a fish to the nest.
04/20/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: Update on 2515. Today, finally, I saw both parents on the nest and from the movement of their heads, my best guess is they were feeding young ones.
I haven't seen the little ones yet....hopefully soon. NOTE: Based on this report, we will indicate hatching occurred a few days ago.
03/27/2022 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: Everything seems to be going well. I've seen both parents exchanging duties to sit on eggs and they take turns relieving each other. The nest has survived the windy days.
One day, a male osprey approached the nest. Because of the angle that I had of the nest, it appeared to be empty but as the marauder approached, the female sprung up and gave him the feather. Off he hurriedly went.
They are good parents. Looking forward to seeing the young ones
03/09/2022 by CarolC
Pauline reports: The eggs are apparently laid and the female has been on the nest at least 2 days.
02/24/2022 by CarolC
Pauline and Deb report: Lots of neststoration this week. They have been a busy pair. The nest looks quite shabby, but I guess that does not matter to them because it looked worse last year.
02/18/2022 by CarolC
02/13/2022 by CarolC
Pauline reports: . The female returned on 2/12 and restorations started on 2/13/2022. Both osprey appear to be very healthy. More nesting material was brought today. YAY!!!
02/08/2022 by CarolC
07/29/2021 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: The last chick left the area on or about 7/23/21. Very successful season!
07/09/2021 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: I checked the nest today and with perfect timing. The male chick was flying around, then went to the nest to squawk excitedly. Within a minute, Dad came in with the fish, dropped it off then flew to a nearby tree. The nest was intake. Maybe a little beaten up but ok.
I last saw the female on 7/7/21. She has been more independent so I trust she is ok.
Just for fun, I am including a story and 2 photos. On Wednesday, the 7th, Deb and I watched as the male(who had been waiting some time for a meal) decided to go fishing in the little lagoon and get his own fish. He flew over several times then went to a pine overlooking the pond and down he came like a pro. Big splash and dip but (alas) he came up with a crawfish. Then he didn't know what to do it. He flew around for a minute then took it to the nest. We think the crawfish may have bitten him. But we were proud parents.
It was a little scary because the pond is too shallow for a good dive and, of course, there are several alligators but he tried his best.
(2 photos of this added)
06/24/2021 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: . The male is quite strong and can hang in the air flapping like a pro. I took same great photos. Will send some later.
The female is flapping a lot but is maybe a day or two behind the male.
The mother still helps with the feeding and makes sure they both get some then she goes to a nearby tree. The father secures ALL of the parking lot.
What great parents!
NOTE: 3 photos added showing the youngsters hopping up and testing their wings in the nest.
06/23/2021 by CarolC
Joanne V reports: Although not this nest monitor, she was in the area and reported seeing the two very active youngsters hopping up and down in the nest. The larger of the two hopped straight up about a 2-3 feet and then went back down and repeated this activity several times. She just wanted to share this unique activity at the nest that indicates they will soon be flying away from the nest.
06/15/2021 by CarolC
Pauline D reports: They are doing a lot of flapping now and getting much stronger. Both parents are bringing fish to support them. I imagine the older one will fledge soon.
05/31/2021 by CarolC
Brady H and Pauline D report: confirmation of two little ones in the nest! See photo posted.
04/19/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: As of Monday,19th Osprey were still on the nest keeping those eggs warm and protected!
04/08/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Osprey are still setting on the nest....little over 4 weeks I think.
03/03/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Looks like the Osprey are incubating the eggs. I went by yesterday March 3 and one of the birds we on the nest in the rain in a nesting position.
Pretty sure he/she was on eggs or they would not have been in that position on the nest.
02/23/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: We now have confirmation from multiple reports that BOTH osprey are back at the nest. We will go with 2-20-21 as the first date the pair was seen at the nest.
02/22/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: There has been only one bird and always sitting in a tree at same place or on the nest and always look around.
This evening he was on the nest and no other bird anywhere for almost 20 minutes I hung around. The nest has progressed all week and does look about finished.
NOTE: There is a bit of uncertainty as to whether or not the PAIR is back. We will adjust the date posted for Adult Arrival when we are more confident that BOTH have returned.
02/21/2021 by CarolC
Carol U observes a different nest but stumbled upon some activity at this nest and reported: We just saw 2 Osprey at this nest in the old SAMS parking lot just a few minutes ago. They are really busy building the nest. I didn’t get a pic of either birds but looks like they have a good start on their nest.
02/17/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: haven't seen the Osprey lately but the nest is being rebuilt! So both of them are back or the "old boy" is building himself a bachelor pad!
02/10/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports: One Osprey is patiently setting on the site of the destroyed nest waiting for the mate!!!
Yeah!!......probably the male since he is the one waiting!
02/09/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports:
No Osprey sighting as of today. Worse, there is no work being done on previous nest location.
02/03/2021 by CarolC
Brady H reports that the nest at the top of the light pole came down in a storm. However, on 2/3 another observer who was in the area said she saw an osprey sitting where the nest used to be. The osprey was eating a fish!
06/19/2020 by CarolC
Brady H reports: The young are flying! There were two young birds. As expected one flew before the second. The second I believe only flew this week. I saw all four near the nest last week and one would not leave the nest to fly.
But anyway, they are now flying and gone!!!
05/09/2020 by CarolC
Carol C added: I got a couple photos of the nest today and can confirm 1 chick, but as Brady reported, I can not tell about additional chicks.
05/07/2020 by CarolC
Brady H reports:As of today, the nest does have young chick. I say chick because of the nest location I could not see if there is more than one. Last year this pair had three chicks. I will keep a closer look on the nest now and report back as soon as I can confirm a different number.
As an aside, I did see two I think watching the nest today that I thought were unusual. First, I saw one of the Osprey, I think the female, setting on the edge of the nest and the second Osprey land on the nest with stick which he gave to the Osprey on the nest. She then took the stick and inserted it onto the nest
Secondly, at one time there were three Osprey soaring over the nest at a very close range.....like 15 to 100 feet. The third Osprey finally flew off and the other two landed on the nest.
NOTE: Due to the quarantine etc. we missed a bit of monitoring on this nest. However it is great that there are chicks!
03/12/2020 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Nest 2515....Old Sam's Club: As of Sunday March 8, both Osprey were seen near the nest. The female is setting the nest (in the flat position with only the head visible) and the male was seen in a nearby tree grooming himself. NOTE: Based on this behavior, we are assuming she is incubating eggs. Listed 3/8 as start of incubation, but that is only a guess.
06/29/2019 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Nest 2515- Old Sam's parking lot: Well the nest is empty. I was out of town last week and I came back on Thursday 20th last week. As of Friday the 21st there are no Osprey anywhere near the nest or surrounding area. I came back on Sat. the 22nd and no Osprey anywhere. So I have to assume they departed between June 13 and June 20.
NOTE: Based on this, we will select June 20th as the date both fledged.
05/30/2019 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Nest 2515: Finally able to observer the chicks and there are two of them. Yesterday saw the mother feeding both chicks. In fact, was able to see the male swoop in with a fish and just literally drop it into the nest where the female was sitting with the chicks. She gathered the fish up and starting tearing it apart and feeding them.
The chicks are nearing full size and I believe they will be flying with a very short period of time.....maybe as early as mid-June.
04/24/2019 by CarolC
Brady H reports: Sam's old parking lot: Nest has young Osprey. Due to nest location can not at this time ascertain the number of young. Again due to nest location can be sure of the date eggs hatched. NOTE: We have simply guessed they may have hatched around the 20th.
02/23/2019 by CarolC
another observer reported that the osprey was sitting in the nest and provided a photo.
02/21/2019 by CarolC
observer Brady H reported: One Osprey sitting on the edge of the nest. Appears to be on the look out for the other Osprey's return. Could not be definite if Male or Female but appeared to be larger so I would guess the male.
06/12/2018 by CarolC
observer Brady H. reports: The Osprey chicks are no longer chicks, they are now flying. As of today, June 12, only one seems to be lingering on the nest trying to gain the courage to jump off the edge. Two others are setting nearby in trees and flying. I would think they will all be flying very shortly.
It has been a fun season watching them grow. I look forward to next year.
I will report back again In a few days to make sure they have all "flown the coop".
05/24/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: Went by Sam's Club osprey nest yesterday. All is well with the chicks. The nest originally had three chicks. Could not confirm how may we have now but they are moving about and are discovering their wings as they were stretching and opening their wings.
05/10/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: Just visited the Sam's Club osprey nest May 10. Saw one of the parents sitting on the nest and could see the chicks. Could not see from my vantage point if all three chicks are still there. But they are definitely growing as could see more movement and heads starting to stick above the nest and the formation of the feathers.
Looks like all is well for right now.
05/02/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: Good news we have three Osprey Chicks at our nest at Sams Club on HHI.
Able to see the Mother feeding all three today.
Based on this report and the estimated start of incubation, we are guessing that they hatched about April 22
04/03/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: As of yesterday, April 3, the Old Sams Club osprey are still setting the nest.
Both were near the nest....one on the nest the other in a nearby tree.
I will report in again later in the month or earlier if we have little ones!
03/17/2018 by CarolC
The observer cannot be sure when the egg was laid nor the actual start of incubation so 3/12 is a guess. On 3-15 Mom was on the nest with dad perched nearby.
02/24/2018 by CarolC
:Saw the Male Osprey perched in nearby tree. Did not see the Female after waiting some time to see if she was around but never saw her. As an observation, in the past, at least, when Sams was open the Osprey nest was in the parking lot on a light pole near the entrance off 278 to the Sam Club parking lot. And the nest was well formed and quit large. The nest now appears to be on a light pole at the end of the parking lot nearer to Bi-Lo. And the nest does not appear to be as well built nor as large.
by CarolC