Nesting Diaries
Barbara N reports: There has been no activity around nest 2544. For a bit, an osprey looked like he was circling around the nest. He did not show any signs of fixing up the nest. So sadly, I have not seen any activity. We do have ospreys fishing, catching fish, but not heading to 2544 as before.
Barbara N reports: I believe the male osprey is building a nest.
Carol C reports: Note: there were limited reports by the monitors this year. However, by July 5th, at least 1 juvenile had fledged. There may have been two because I heard what sounded like another juvenile nearby, but couldn't spot it. The nest platform is empty. There is a second "replacement" platform nearby that was raised because it is feared the first platform may come down. I observed what I would describe as a "pile of sticks", not a nest, on the second platform.
Photos added that were taken on July 5, 2022, including the main platform and the nearby one with the pile of sticks.
Mary reports: The osprey returned about 3/1
Mary G reports: The young have not been seen at the nest for at least a week or more. Our best guess is that they fledged around June 30, but we can not be certain of the date.
Mary G reports: Based on a change in Mom's behavior, we believe that there is feeding taking place. We are listing 1 nestling until we can confirm the number.
Mary G reports: There is a lot of adult activity at the nest. Probably has been on eggs for a while. While there has been no feeding activity yet, it is possible that there will be evidence of chicks soon.
Mary G reports: The pair returned about 2/14 and remain active at the nest.
It is likely that eggs were laid in March. Since we are not sure, we have guessed late March. It is only a guess though.
Mary G reports: All is well with the young. Flapping wings etc. so all is good.
Mary G reports: Our osprey are right on schedule. The babes have been flapping their wings in the nest, and they are close to their first flight.
Mary G reports: We are recreating the dates of nest activity. It was not possible to get exact dates this nesting season, so these are simply our best guesses.
Male returned 2/24
pair arrived and courted about mid March
eggs laid around second/third week of March
eggs hatched about the third/fourth week of April
Mary G reports: Our osprey season is nearly over. The parents departed over the weekend after putting on
Several air shows both Friday and Saturday evenings. The parents and both chicks flew and squawked and entertained the neighborhood by flying back and forth over Bear Lake for two evenings. On Sunday morning (7/28) the parents were gone.
My concern is one of the chicks stays in the nest most of the time. While I have been out of the house quite a bit the past week, I haven't seen him fish or bring anything back to the nest.
Mary G reports: There is a lot of activity in the nest. The chicks are "heads up and chirping". We see two.
Mary G reports: I know we have babies in our nest, but so far I hear them and have seen small heads bopping up, but I haven't gotten a head count.
Mary G reports: Great news! Ozzie has returned and Irma is on the nest full time. We have been out of town so I don't have a date when all this occurred. However, we're celebrating!
Mary G reports: Unfortunately, our male osprey has not returned (yet).
I'm getting a little discouraged.
observer Mary G. reports: Our osprey was sitting on the nest (their first home in the dead tree) yesterday (2/18/19) at 12 noon.
This nest came down after the 2018 nesting season. Working with the local Property Owners Association and the property owners, a new platform was erected in early 2019 just prior to this year's nesting season.
Mary G reports: One of the chicks sits on the limb nearly 24/7. The other chick flies in and out. The parents have flown. I have contacted someone about replacing the nesting platform that came down.
Carol C (substitute observer) reports:
When I arrived I could hear the osprey from the driveway. One was perched at the top of the nesting site, but flew off. A second osprey was farther to the right in a pine tree and I watched it fly off, too. Within a couple minutes, an osprey flew back to the perch with a fish. It didn't eat it, but just chirped and looked around. Based on a photo taken, I think this was a juvenile. I also caught a photo of an adult flying very close to the former nest sight. I actually believe there were at least 3 osprey in the area...a juvenile with spotted wings perched with a fish, and two that were flying around near the nest. I cannot identify all of them, but believe one was an adult and one a juvenile.
Carol C. (substitute observer) reports: The nest is totally destroyed. One osprey, probably an adult, was flying over the lagoon, but no others were in sight. Posted pictures of the destroyed nest and platform and the remnants of the nest on the ground. You can see part of a fish that was in the nest. There were several dark feathers on the ground, but I do not think they were from the osprey...at least we hope not!
Mary G reports: Sad news this morning. When I checked the nest, it wasn’t there. Overnight, it fell to the ground. I assume from the heavy rain and the weight of the nest itself
was the cause. The platform where it sat was cockeyed, not flat. The female was sitting on her limb and has been chirping all morning. I’ve seen none of the others.
So far, I have not seen the young birds fishing with the parent, but hopefully they know how.
For sure the platform is not positioned for the parents to build a nest next year.
Mary G reports: The two chicks have grown so much this month, it is difficult to tell them from the parents.
They are flying in and out of the nest, but they have not yet learned to fish. We are waiting and watching for their
first lesson where they sink and come up empty. That will happen a couple times before they get the hang of it.
If they’re on schedule, they should be independent within the week. And then the parents will be heading south.
I’ll let you know when that happens.l
all observations by Mary G.
We are guessing they fledged about June 29.
observers report: , the chicks have grown and matured. They are lifting their wings and elevating themselves in the nest.
The next step will be to perch themselves on a limb on the same tree as the nest before trying their wings.
The youngsters are so big now that the four of them are getting tight in the nest. Usually, one of the parents is sitting on a nearby limb.
The chicks are growing up. Two little heads, side by side, sit in their nest observing their world while Irma and Ozzie take turns fishing. Life is good at Nest 2544.
observer reports: Two little heads were peeking over the rim of the nest today.
Ozzie continues bringing in the fish and Irma continues her maternal duties. All is well at Nest 2544.
observers report: Our osprey are doing well. Ozzie and Irma are great parents. Ozzie is quite a fisherman and Irma is a homebody, busy feeding her youngsters and staying home and protecting them. We enjoy sitting on our back deck and just watching them. They are the most active in the morning and early evening.
The date of hatching is posted as 4/22/18. This is our best guess.
observer reports: We have chicks in the nest. We arrived home last weekend (excuse me for just reporting) to the sound of cheeping chicks. Ozzie is flying in frequently with fish, and we can see Irma’s tail sticking up in the air while she is feeding them. This week we saw two little heads peeping up out of the nest. Based on when we saw the mating, we assumed the chicks would hatch while we were gone....and they did.
incubation began about March1
Our birds are very active fishing and chirping and were observed mating on Feb. 19 (plus other days that week).
mating took place about Feb 19
Both Osprey seen on 2/17/18
Adult male and female flying to nest with fish for 2 large chicks
2 eggs have hatched; Male brings fish to the nest; females is feeding chicks
Both adults arrived today and began adding material to the nest
The two juveniles have fledged.
1 juvenile standing in nest
2 adults bringing fish to the nest.
2 adults tending to chicks
1 adult standing over nest with 2 chicks
2 adults taking turns sitting on nest
2 adults returned to the nest--both were busy sprucing up the nest.
"New" osprey pair continued to refurbish nest thru the 1st week of August --then they both left the nest--no eggs laid.
2 adults adding nesting material and fishing in lake
2 adults bringing moss & sticks to nest; both adults then standing on nest
Male sitting on branch over nest daily since March 1. Female has not returned.
1 fledgling flying around nest
2 adults flying; 2 juveniles in nest
1 adult flew off nest and then flew back to nest
Female adult feeding chicks; male adult flew to nest with a fish
1 adult sitting on nest; 1 adult standing on limb next to nest
1 Fledgling sitting in nest
2 fledglings and both parents flying around the lake fishing
2 chicks in nest; adult female standing on limb above nest
Observed 2 chicks; adult female feeding chicks and male on nearby limb
1 adult flew to nest; 1 adult standing on limb next to nest
2 Fledglings standing on nest, then flying around
Adult feeding 2 chicks. Heard 2nd adult in nearby tree
1 adult chased by crow;1 adult on nest chripping;2 chicks in nest