Nickname
VIMS Osprey Cam Pump House Pier
Coordinates
(37.2475, -76.4992)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
VIMS Osprey Cam Pump House Pier
Nest Cam
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 - ss | 2022 - ss | 2021 - ss | 2020 - ss | 2019 - ss | 2018 - ss | 2016 - Harmony | 2015 - Harmony | 2014 - Harmony | 2013 - Harmony | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 2/26/23 | 2/23/22 | 2/28/21 | 3/8/20 | 3/9/19 | 3/5/15 | 2/26/14 | 3/15/13 | ||
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| aActive | ||||||||||
| bEgg Laying | 4/14/23 | 3/25/21 | 3/22/20 | |||||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 4/14/23 | 3/28/22 | 3/25/21 | 3/22/20 | 4/1/19 | |||||
| cClutch Hatching | 5/24/23 | 5/1/21 | 4/29/20 | 5/11/19 | 5/7/15 | 5/20/14 | 5/10/13 | |||
| dNestlings | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| eFledglings | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 6/26/21 | 6/26/20 | 7/5/19 | 7/4/18 | 7/2/14 | 7/1/13 | ||||
| fChicks Last Observed | 5/26/23 | 8/9/21 | 8/18/20 | 9/5/19 | 9/10/18 | 8/20/15 | 7/10/14 | |||
| xNest Failure | 5/27/23 | 5/10/22 | ||||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure | other | other |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Activity reports
2013 Nest Activity Report by Harmony
| Adult arrival | 03/15/2013 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/01/2013 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/10/2013 | Reason for nest failure |
2014 Nest Activity Report by Harmony
| Adult arrival | 02/26/2014 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/02/2014 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 07/10/2014 | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/20/2014 | Reason for nest failure |
2015 Nest Activity Report by Harmony
| Adult arrival | 03/05/2015 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 08/20/2015 | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/07/2015 | Reason for nest failure |
2016 Nest Activity Report by Harmony
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | 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 ss
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/04/2018 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 09/10/2018 | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by ss
| Adult arrival | 03/08/2020 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/26/2020 | |
| Egg laying | 03/22/2020 | Chicks last observed | 08/18/2020 |
| Incubation initiation | 03/22/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/29/2020 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by ss
| Adult arrival | 03/09/2019 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/05/2019 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 09/05/2019 | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/01/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/11/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by ss
| Adult arrival | 02/28/2021 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/26/2021 | |
| Egg laying | 03/25/2021 | Chicks last observed | 08/09/2021 |
| Incubation initiation | 03/25/2021 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/01/2021 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by ss
| Adult arrival | 02/23/2022 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/28/2022 | Nest failure | 05/10/2022 |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure | bad weather hampered fishing, one hachling died, nest left unattended for hours and crow took care of the remaing 2 eggs |
Nest Activity Report by ss
| Adult arrival | 02/26/2023 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | 04/14/2023 | Chicks last observed | 05/26/2023 |
| Incubation initiation | 04/14/2023 | Nest failure | 05/27/2023 |
| Clutch hatching | 05/24/2023 | Reason for nest failure | Few fish deliveries and when Male brought a fish, Female ate it off the nest an only feed a few bites, if any. |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
05/28/2023 by ss
This was an odd year for this nest. Female laid eggs much later than usual. The male incubated but didn't deliver fish as frequently as he had in prior seasons.The female rarely fed the hatchling(s).
02/26/2023 by ss
Male first seen 2/24/23
Female first seen 2/26/23
2/24 Male brought a fish to the nest, waited. Let go of the fish and began to dig out the nest bole and moved some sticks. 2/25 Male came in early, waiting a little while then retrieved the fish from yesterday and left with it. In the afternoon Male stayed on the nest for a long time, looking & waiting. 2/26 7:45am the male came to the nest followed by the female. They both defended the nest, he brought in more sticks and both moved sticks around.
06/01/2021 by ss
6/1 chick died; probably the youngest (#3). Over the weekend of 5/28, observed the oldest chick has been aggressive toward the other two, posturing when a fish is delivered. They 2 would take a submissive posture and shy away from the beginning of feedings. They usually got some bites in after the oldest ate. The weekend of 5/28 was rainy, however Dad still delivered several fish to the nest. Until Mon 5.31, there was a fish in the morning and no other delivery until late in the evening (as night fell), One of the younger chicks didn't eat.
08/23/2020 by ss
Eggs hatched 4/29, 4/30, 5/2
Fledges 6/26, 6/28, 5/2
Female last seen on nest 7/28 (note cam offline for a few days following 7.28)
07/09/2018 by ss
Chick wrapped in fishing line, rescued 7/9 but injuries were severe and it had to be euthanized.
06/06/2017 by Harmony
3 chicks in the nest-yay! They had a major rain to deal with yesterday and Mom was hunkered down for it.
08/21/2015 by Harmony
Female stayed much longer than the male. She hasn't been around that I could see since Aug. 20. Good season except for plastic. May they live and prosper!
07/05/2015 by Harmony
Today is the first day I have observed both chicks gone. Male flew at least a week ago but today both are gone.
07/05/2015 by Harmony
Lots of drama this year. Dr. Watts removed blue bag which had entangled 1 chick, found the dead hatchling and tagged the chicks. Mama replaced bag with a flip flop!
06/07/2015 by Harmony
Mama has been gone a Long time today. I think she got interested in the Hermione activities and went touring. I'm worried about 1 chick. Have only seen 2 for the last few days. . .
06/01/2015 by Harmony
chicks are getting big and someone thinks decorating with a blue plastic bag is the new "designer nest" I wish people would be more careful with plastic! 1 male 1 female (I think) not sure about 3rd chick.
05/08/2015 by Harmony
3 chicks appear May 7, 2015 (Sue Stein report). I saw one today. Female had been appearing to be restless--now I know why!
05/27/2014 by Harmony
Very squawky Mother Osprey was finally brought dinner. Dad decides to perch on piling and share the event. 2 babies eating well.
05/23/2014 by Harmony
Made it through tornado warning and rains. 2 chicks observed with a sparrow keeping them company on the sidelines.
05/02/2014 by Harmony
Mother Osprey survived the miserable weather recently and seems entertained today by cormorants drying their wings on the new posts beside her.
04/29/2014 by Harmony
On April 6, we observed the male osprey trying to feed his mate, but food was rejected. Picky! Today, rain is causing hunkering down activity.
07/19/2013 by Harmony
These chicks were textbook perfect and they have been very rewarding to monitor. Yay, osprey success story!
07/03/2013 by Harmony
These 3 chicks have been through a tornado warning and 4 other major storm sessions. They are tough! Two of the chicks flew today and I haven't observed them for a week so that was an exciting event.
05/22/2013 by Harmony
Dad fed the chicks today. Mama is busy building a "playpen" for the ever-growing chicks. She keeps adding sticks and rearranging the seaweed.
05/19/2013 by Harmony
Lots of rain yesterday, but feedings went on. Chicks are stretching their wings and looking bigger each day.
05/17/2013 by Harmony
Fierce storm at around 6 p.m. last night, white caps on the river and lots of rain. Was relieved to see 3 fuzzy heads this morning chowing down.
05/14/2013 by Harmony
1:10 pm Great timing! Papa delivered a fish, Mom served lunch, 2 of the offspring fought over the portions (or were just practicing their "pick me" technique). ??
05/14/2013 by Harmony
Saw 3 fuzzy heads and a Mama calling out for room service (at least my interpretation of "Hurry up with a fish, these babies are wiggling around driving me crazy".
05/14/2013 by Harmony
Breakfast at 7:54. Still can't tell if there are 2 or 3 chicks. Unseasonably cool today around 50 degrees. Mama rocks the nest when she rearranges herself on the chicks!
05/13/2013 by Harmony
Mother's Day must have been the incentive, for there are 2 possibly 3 chicks eating well today. Yay! Yesterday I observed lots of "rolling" behavior from Mama so maybe there were bumpy chicks moving around already?
05/10/2013 by Harmony
Whole lot of preening going on! Haven't seen the female so high on the nest as she was today. Opportunistic Neighbor small bird sitting on the nest sidelines. Female is doing lots of sky-alert watching. Breezy & 86 degrees.
04/26/2013 by Harmony
Papa Osprey perched on piling near the nest and appeared to be searching the water for fish?
04/20/2013 by Harmony
Thursday must have had great gliding winds because that is what Papa Osprey did for more than 30 minutes. I saw him head for the Yorktown side of the river and thought maybe he was fetching more nest material (he had earlier deposited a stick) but he returned empty taloned.
04/17/2013 by Harmony
Hot bird on the nest today--82 degrees w/42% humidity. Bird has "panting" open-beak display.
04/16/2013 by Harmony
Lots of fussing with the nest materials this morning--one bird would pick up the stick and the other would move it back! An opportunistic sparrow visited several times. Would it be interested in leftovers or a nest site of its own?
03/28/2013 by Harmony
3/27/13 Over a period of 20 minutes, the 2 birds both flew away, but one stayed with the nest most of the time. Cam launching time is soon!
03/20/2013 by Harmony
3/18/13 Nest building is progressing. One of the birds stayed at the nest most of the time and was joined by another bird several times. At one point, a third bird tried to land at the same time as the "roving" bird and they spread wings and they both flew off spatting with each other. One bird was on the nest at the end of the observation.