Nickname
NE Forked River2
Coordinates
(39.8288, -74.161)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
NE Forked River2. State Game Farm property.
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 - Ditzzeechick | 2014 - Ditzzeechick | 2013 - Ben Wurst | |
|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 3/29/23 | ||
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | No |
| aActive | |||
| bEgg Laying | |||
| bIncubation Initiation | |||
| cClutch Hatching | |||
| dNestlings | |||
| eFledglings | 1 | ||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | |||
| fChicks Last Observed | 6/23/14 | ||
| xNest Failure | |||
| xReason For Nest Failure |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Activity reports
2013 Nest Activity Report by Ben Wurst
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2014 Nest Activity Report by Ditzzeechick
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 06/23/2014 | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2023 Nest Activity Report by Ditzzeechick
| Adult arrival | 03/29/2023 | 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
05/09/2023 by Ditzzeechick
She hasn't left the stand in the past week. Like the female at Sunrise, they appear to be sitting on eggs.
04/07/2023 by Ditzzeechick
They're nest building and somehow have managed to find a long piece of plastic that is flying from the side of the stand.
08/11/2022 by Ditzzeechick
One fledgling with parents who join the Sunrise Beach pair and their fledge to fly over top our houses twice a day now for the past week. Squealing with happiness because it finally RAINED! :)
07/05/2022 by Ditzzeechick
They were both feeding the nestling or else they assume the posture of feeding a nestling. I'm fairly certain there is one in that stand. They survived the night, the male stayed close but was freaked out, didn't know where to stand. Those perches off the stands have been heaven sent....or Ben sent, thank you!!
06/29/2022 by Ditzzeechick
These are two wackiest osprey ever! Each year they barely cover the stand with nesting material but somehow manage to produce. They have at least one. I'll be able to see more from my great room in the next couple of weeks. Thankfully the eagles have steered clear again this year.
04/22/2022 by Sandy
Two adults and on the nest this afternoon, one on the perch and one in the nest.
04/14/2022 by Ditzzeechick
Appears a nest bed was added to the frame they are nesting like crazy as of yesterday
03/22/2022 by Ditzzeechick
Both Osprey have returned and are perching on nearby grasses as there is NO NEST BED on this stand
10/27/2021 by Ditzzeechick
Nest bed/frame is gone from this stand as of this morning. Stand remains but nest bed is now missing. Odd, it wasn't that windy here.
05/13/2021 by Ditzzeechick
They tried, on and off for a few weeks and have been gone now for over a week. This stand takes a beating and too much traffic with fisherman & para sailing occurring, they run their boats up onto the shore so it can't make the osprey happy.
04/13/2021 by Ditzzeechick
Saw two osprey on the stand two days ago. Today, just a seagull. Guess we'll see if they return.
03/29/2021 by Ditzzeechick
Think the male has returned. At the beginning of the season the male on this stand and the male on the Sunrise stand tussle upon their return for the first couple of weeks. Today, we have 3 osprey between the two stands.
08/05/2020 by Ditzzeechick
Occupied by both after the storm but there were no young this year. This stand is loaded with all matter of stuff that has been swinging from the stand since the early spring wind storms
06/24/2020 by Ditzzeechick
The eagle appeared on the stand early day about 3 days ago, they stayed nearby and waited for over an hour until the eagle departed and then back to the stand they went. This was a very disappointing year here in Forked River.
06/08/2020 by Ditzzeechick
They have continued to hang at the stand but I don't see any behavior that leads me to believe they were lucky enough to save eggs after their nest material flipped out of the stand a few weeks back during one of the many "wind" storms
05/22/2020 by Ditzzeechick
So this morning it appears their nesting material has all flipped out and is hanging under the stand. They were both standing in the bed this morning. She flew to a nearby post at the waters edge and it appears he is taking new nesting material to the stand. These two were doing so great and this weather has slowly ruined everything they've accomplished. The stand is hit by wind from all directions and high tide brings the bay to its base now.
05/10/2020 by Ditzzeechick
These two were back for a few days but now no sighting of them. I was so encouraged by the amount of building they began when they first returned but the weather seemed to take the wind out of their sails. There is something flying off the bottom of the stand but I haven't see them in the past 2 days.
04/23/2020 by Ditzzeechick
They're back, both standing in the middle of the stand this morning. Looks like a garbage bag flying off the underside of the stand
04/14/2020 by Ditzzeechick
Pair appears to be in good shape. They had a big bag flying off the underside of the stand this morning but it must have finally blown off.
04/09/2020 by Ditzzeechick
They actually appear to be adding to the stand which is a good thing, it's appeared pretty spare of nesting material since they took it over 3 years ago
07/20/2019 by Ditzzeechick
Two chicks & Mom sat up in the bowl today when the monsoons struck. After a day of roasting in the stand they seemed to enjoy the hour of pouring rain to spread their wings.
07/18/2019 by Ditzzeechick
Husband broke ankle so we haven't been able to get out in the boat, but it appears they have TWO chicks in this stand, they too are just beginning to lift those wings for testing! We should get out in the boat next week and will confirm the count, hopefully to include photos.
06/25/2019 by Ditzzeechick
Husband broke ankle but we are hoping to get over there in the boat in the next two weeks. They definitely have at least one chick based on viewing their behavior over the past couple of weeks. Feeding every morning and afternoon and almost always around 4pm at the same time the Sunrise Beach couple are feeding their three. Hopefully I'll get better eyes on this stand soon.
05/26/2019 by Ditzzeechick
I was beginning to believe they abandoned this stand. This morning the eagles decided to sit at the waters edge about 10 feet from the stand. She left the stand to join the male as they swooped and squawked at the eagles. The two adult eagles sat there for over 5 minutes while they osprey swooped and at them wings wide, talons flying. They took to the air but the Osprey made it almost impossible for them to get air. They headed west towards the Forked River where they live in the trees on the Game Farm. The female osprey was right back to the stand, she spent a minute rooting around with her head before settling back in. Their nest is so low in the stand you can't even tell they have a NEST in there. Dad went back to the perch a few feet from the stand and continued fishing.
04/28/2019 by Ditzzeechick
She appears to have been staying low in the stand for the past few days. I'm reluctant to state that as the wind has been horrendous here facing the bay but she's staying low and he is fishing. Again, their nesting abilities are really lacking...fingers crossed they succeed this year.
04/19/2019 by Ditzzeechick
They have a large piece of plastic or netting hanging from the bottom of the stand which is blowing in the wind. It appears they have added very minimally to the nest itself. These two need some guidance!
03/28/2019 by Ditzzeechick
These two are back.....question for the ages, will they figure out how to fix their nest and actually hatch and raise a chick this year? First year was great, year 2 left eggs in the stand and deserted the stand, year 3 they had one but....it never made it cause again, they deserted the stand mid summer.
03/23/2019 by Ditzzeechick
12:05pm One Osprey just landed on the stand, wind is wicked here, sat a couple of minutes then flew to ground a few feet away from stand.
06/12/2018 by Ditzzeechick
I thought they had deserted but there is defnitely something going on at this stand. Both adults are there and from the distance it looks like they have something in their nest. Going to boat over there this week...more to come...
05/30/2018 by Ditzzeechick
Soooo..there were two, badly making a nest. Then it appeared she disappeared, he hung about, then he disappeared. He returned, it APPEARS that stand is empty but yesterday, there looked to be two adults there. We'll glide on over there in the boat in the next week and see if they are there or have once again deserted this stand. I will say, as of last year and again this year, we have a boat anchoring there periodically, walking into the game farm area, but not too close to the stand and then Windsailing. No idea if this has upset them or not. I'm repeating myself but I thought last year you recorded 3 abandoned eggs in that stand. The nest is really sad looking :( They need mentors!
03/30/2018 by Ditzzeechick
One showed up this morning, second Osprey in stand at 2:58pm today. We have a pair!
07/27/2017 by Ditzzeechick
He's been in the middle of the stand flapping both wings and attempting to lift off...so far, just lots of flapping!
07/13/2017 by Ditzzeechick
So far so good, this young pair seem to struggle to prepare stand & then maintain it, even this year it is sparse BUT they one ONE young one who seems to be growing nicely.
07/08/2017 by Ditzzeechick
ONE chick sitting up on the stand, they have every type of trash in this sad sorry excuse for a nest. This is the stand that was abandoned last summer leaving eggs unhatched.
06/20/2017 by Ditzzeechick
will be boating over to this one today or tomorrow, at a great distance, it appears there is ONE.
06/01/2017 by Ditzzeechick
she is still staying low in the stand but I suspect we will see her up within the next few days. This stand & #4808 both went low in stand within days of each other.
04/27/2017 by Ditzzeechick
She was sitting on the perch on the stand most of the day, guess no eggs here yet. Hoping to get the boat out there in the next two weeks to get a better look.
04/24/2017 by Ditzzeechick
I must say these two don't seem to be very adept at padding the stand but having said that, as of today I believe she is lying low. I have not see her on the side or on the perch out front. Last year when Ben checked on this nest he found abandoned eggs.
04/09/2017 by Ditzzeechick
Yesterday 4/8/17 two older teens appeared down by this stand were sitting on the perch near the water. I waved them off from the end of Sunrise. They then moved under the stand the bird took off. After a few minutes they walked on the south side of the wetlands towards RT 9. I'm assuming they somehow gained access from Game Farm Road which has a gate & signs. My understanding is you can hunt there but you have to be able to get onto the property. Next time I'll call the Lacey PD.The birds have been down there but I don't see any progress "feathering" the stand to create a nest. We'll see what the next week brings.
04/09/2017 by Ditzzeechick
Yesterday 4/8/17 two older teens appeared down by this stand were sitting on the perch near the water. I waved them off from the end of Sunrise. They then moved under the stand the bird took off. After a few minutes they walked on the south side of the wetlands towards RT 9. I'm assuming they somehow gained access from Game Farm Road which has a gate & signs. My understanding is you can hunt there but you have to be able to get onto the property. Next time I'll call the Lacey PD.The birds have been down there but I don't see any progress "feathering" the stand to create a nest. We'll see what the next week brings.
04/06/2017 by Ditzzeechick
As of 4/5/17 there are a pair of Osprey on the stand. They didn't do well in 2016. I believe Ben found eggs in the stand after the pair deserted the stand after about 8 weeks. Fingers crossed they successfully reproduce in 2017.
07/20/2016 by Ditzzeechick
Ben visited today, stand has been empty for about 2 weeks, no signs of life here.
07/01/2016 by Ditzzeechick
As of last week the chick is gone. They still haunt the stand but the nest is empty. :(
06/22/2016 by Ditzzeechick
They have definitely been feeding a young one for at least 10 days, but today, both left the nest. One was on the post 8 ft from the stand, the other was on a post about 20 ft away. They were off the stand for approx 30 min. One returned to the stand and was in the "bowl" now both are on the perches jutting out from the stand itself. What does this mean? I can't tell if there is a chick in the bowl from this distance. Boat is in for maintenance hoping to have it back by Friday so I can check on this stand. Don't know what to make of it..... :(
05/14/2016 by Ditzzeechick
I've no clue how much nesting material is in that stand but again this year the pair has obviously laid an egg. Typical nesting behavior with Dad bringing food and sitting on the small perch just off of the stand. Today, he delivered a fish and the seagulls decided to go in for a bite he made quick work of dispersing them while returning repeatedly to check on her. She rose up once but went right back down onto what I am assuming is an egg.
04/21/2016 by Ditzzeechick
There are two on the stand again this year. As of today, it appears they are both still leaving the stand and sitting on the perches on either side of the stand.
07/23/2015 by Ditzzeechick
Mom & Dad were feeding him when we floated by today. I've attached a picture of him, he's a good size.
06/17/2015 by Ditzzeechick
This stand is in the Forked River Game Reserve. We were finally able to float up close enough today and there was a white adult head that popped up! She called for a few seconds and the male appeared hovering above us before landing on the stand! There is sparse nesting material and she is very very low in what is there. We'll keep our eye on this one, we're very excited that it's been claimed!
04/27/2015 by Ditzzeechick
Watching this one daily along with #4808 but this one seems to be used as a perch for flybys, of the six Osprey spotted thus far, none have taken up residence in this stand or attempted to build a nest not the stand. This stand is in the Game Preserve in Forked River.
04/01/2015 by Ditzzeechick
It appears there is ONE Osprey on this stand as of today. A lone Osprey appeared on this stand last year but then vacated the stand which remained empty last summer. Will keep an eye on this stand to see if a pair takes up residence this year. Fingers crossed!
07/27/2014 by Ditzzeechick
Floated by yesterday, the parents are staying close and we were able to spot a couple of heads popping up. We'll check on them in another week.
06/23/2014 by Ditzzeechick
Out on our boat today and we sidled up next to this stand. The parents were not happy to see us, took off immediately, circled the stand and then squawked loudly at us so we floated away. Good size birds who were feeding their young.