Nickname
042-A-003
Coordinates
(40.7953, -74.0941)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
Valley Brook Avenue. This nest is off Valley Brook Avenue in the Berry's Creek Canal. One Osprey successfully fledged last summer (2013). Another Osprey is about to fledge any day.
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
| 2022 - jmac | 2020 - jmac | 2019 - jmac | 2018 - jmac | 2017 - jmac | 2016 - jmac | 2015 - jmac | 2014 - NJMC Jim | 2013 - Ben Wurst | 2013 - Ben Wurst | 2013 - NJMC Jim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 3/22/22 | 3/20/20 | 4/1/18 | 4/6/18 | 3/26/17 | 3/24/16 | |||||
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| aActive | |||||||||||
| bEgg Laying | 5/2/22 | 4/16/20 | 4/25/18 | 4/20/16 | 4/11/15 | ||||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 4/21/19 | 4/28/18 | 4/15/17 | 4/20/16 | |||||||
| cClutch Hatching | 5/29/22 | 5/25/20 | 5/28/19 | 6/2/18 | 5/27/17 | 5/27/16 | 5/21/15 | ||||
| dNestlings | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| eFledglings | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 7/16/22 | 7/16/20 | 7/28/19 | 7/30/18 | 7/15/17 | 8/5/16 | |||||
| fChicks Last Observed | 8/23/17 | 8/25/16 | |||||||||
| xNest Failure | 5/30/15 | ||||||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure | adult abandonment |
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 NJMC Jim
| 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 |
2013 Nest Activity Report by Ben Wurst
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| 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 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 NJMC Jim
| Adult arrival | 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 |
2015 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | 04/11/2015 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | 05/30/2015 | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/21/2015 | Reason for nest failure | adult abandonment |
2016 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 03/24/2016 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 08/05/2016 | |
| Egg laying | 04/20/2016 | Chicks last observed | 08/25/2016 |
| Incubation initiation | 04/20/2016 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/27/2016 | Reason for nest failure |
2017 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 03/26/2017 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/15/2017 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 08/23/2017 | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/15/2017 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/27/2017 | Reason for nest failure |
2018 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/06/2018 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/30/2018 | |
| Egg laying | 04/25/2018 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/28/2018 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 06/02/2018 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/01/2018 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/28/2019 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/21/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/28/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 03/20/2020 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/16/2020 | |
| Egg laying | 04/16/2020 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/25/2020 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 03/22/2022 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/16/2022 | |
| Egg laying | 05/02/2022 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/29/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
07/18/2022 by jmac
Chicks have fledged. One on the telephone pole nearby, the other two back at the nest
07/04/2022 by jmac
Three good size chicks in the nest. The nest was being attacked by two adult Osprey while both parents were on the nest protecting it.
03/24/2022 by jmac
This nest site had been taken over by Bald Eagles last season and the Ospreys moved to a new platform put up by the electric company. But now the Eagles have moved to that nest site and the Ospreys apparently have moved back to their old home.
07/16/2020 by jmac
Only two chicks on the nest with an adult but the young are fledge size and age so the third probably fledged ( I hope)
06/17/2020 by jmac
Could only see one chick today but the others could be laying down. The female was on the nest as always
07/15/2019 by jmac
I was surprised to see three large chicks in the nest today. I had only seen two before this. Pic attached
04/14/2019 by jmac
Pair on the nest today. The male was bringing sticks and the female was sitting low as if she was incubating, but then got up and flew off. But eggs coming soon
03/31/2019 by jmac
One Osprey on the nest this morning. It took off after a Redtail hawk that apparently got to close.
07/30/2018 by jmac
Three birds in the nest today, one was an immature and one was an adult. I couldn't see the third bird well. Two birds flew to a near by structure.
07/18/2018 by jmac
the two chicks are doing well, the male is often in the nest with them. The female may have left already. He scolded me today, even though I wasn't near the nest at all
06/30/2018 by jmac
it is very hot (90s) and one parent that appeared to be the male was shading at least two small chicks
06/18/2018 by jmac
Both parents were shading babies ( hot day). I have never seen both parents do this at the same time. Could clearly see two chicks, possibly more
06/03/2018 by jmac
Osprey in a position on the nest today consistent with chick/chicks in the nest. A second bird came to the nest with a fish, but didn't leave it there while I watched
05/05/2018 by jmac
All is well with the nest. I notice that the pair is not as nervous about people as they were in the past. Either a different pair or they are becoming more accepting of humans.
08/10/2017 by jmac
when I got there the male was chasing a Great Blue Heron, relentlessly until it left the area. Fledgling on a pole back behind the nest.
07/29/2017 by jmac
one bird flying from the nest to the wires behind it. I would think it is the fledgling
07/22/2017 by jmac
no sign of any birds today, but I would say that the chick has fledged and the male and fledgling is what I saw on the wires last week.
this was the first of my nests to have an incubating female, so I would say the time was right to fledge.
07/15/2017 by jmac
I didn't see the chick today but when I approached the male came over to check me out. There were two adults on the wires near by and one could be the fledgling since he is old enough to fledge now. The branches on the nest rooted last year, and are now full grown bushes, so the chick could be laying low in there. The fact that the adults are hanging around and seem to be protecting the nest leads me to believe things are OK with this nest.
06/05/2017 by jmac
One bird on the side of the nest apparently tending to chicks. Still don't see little heads popping up but things seem fine.
04/19/2017 by jmac
The male brought a fish to the incubating female, then took it back, ate some, and brought it back to the female and left it with her.
08/18/2016 by jmac
was in the area late and checked on the nest a little before sundown. Junior was on the nest while an adult was on a nearby tower. pic attached
08/14/2016 by jmac
The chick has left the nest, appeared to be on a telephone pole behind the nest. One adult was also present
08/04/2016 by jmac
The large chick was on the nest alone when I got there, with the male on his usual perch a quarter mile away. The female arrived with some sticks to upgrade the nest.
07/16/2016 by jmac
All is well with this nest after the bad storms two day ago. The chick is getting big
07/10/2016 by jmac
all is well with this nest. both parents are usually on the platform with the chick whenever I go there. they seem very devoted. pic attached
06/18/2016 by jmac
This nest is fine. Can still only clearly see one chick. Both parents very attentive.
06/14/2016 by jmac
checked the nest this morning, could clearly see one chick's head, possibly two. Pic attached
06/02/2016 by jmac
A redtail hawk got two close with a shorebird or young duck in it's talons. The male Osprey viciously attacked. The hawk seemed surprised and landed on a nearby pole for a while before heading off to his own nest a half mile away.
05/21/2016 by jmac
Checked on the nest on 5/18 and the hen was sitting much higher on the nest than when she is incubating. She may have a chick
04/20/2016 by jmac
an Osprey has consistently been on this nest for the past week so I assume it is incubating
04/07/2016 by jmac
Both birds at the nest today. It's a good thing this nest is a little hard to get to because the pair is very spooky
06/07/2015 by jmac
Checked on the nest today and it was empty. The last two visits only one bird was present and it appeared to be the female. She was obviously stressed, calling loudly and flying about. Apparently something happened to the male, who was a very attentive mate.
06/03/2015 by jmac
Checked the nest again today. Again only one bird around the nest but it didn't appear to be caring for anything in the nest. It looks to be the female, no sign of the male. No sign of chicks. Pretty sure the nest has failed but I will check again in a few day.
05/30/2015 by jmac
Only one bird at the nest today and it seemed stressed. I hung around for a half hour and left, but came back a half hour later and no sign of the other bird. I don't see any chicks but that doesn't mean they aren't there; they would only be a little over a week old. Still I don't have a good feeling about the nest today. I'll check it mid week.
05/24/2015 by jmac
Could see the pair feeding when I first got there, but they are always concerned when they see me, even though there is a considerable canal between us. The male immediatley flys over me and the female hunkers down on the nest. I think I will have to be more stealth if I want to get pics of the chicks.
05/20/2015 by jmac
Very windy day but both birds battling the wind on the nest. Lots of beak action in the nest, I suspect a chick. I will keep a close eye on for the nest few days.
05/14/2015 by jmac
Very aggressive Red Tail around the nest today, Female sitting higher in the nest may indicate a chick but I didn't see any feeding activity.
05/08/2015 by jmac
Looking at the pictures from today I can see there is a turtle shell in the nest. possibly was dinner or just decoration.
05/08/2015 by jmac
Things seem to be going well with this nest. When I arrived the male was incubating and the female returned shortly afterwards and took over. The male seemed excited and flew back and forth over the nest the entire time I was there, about 15 minutes. Hopefully chicks soon.
05/03/2015 by jmac
A bit of drama this morning. Another male was trying to land on the nest that was occupied by both of the pair. He was rebuffed and eventually flew off.
04/29/2015 by jmac
Things seem to be going well with this nest. I watched the male give the female a break and she got up and stretched her wings while he incubated. So far so good
04/19/2015 by jmac
Checked in on the nest this morning. One bird incubating while the other was eating a fish nearby on a pole.
04/15/2015 by jmac
By the way, this is the cheesiest Osprey nest I've ever seen, but I guess this pair is fine with it.
04/15/2015 by jmac
Visited the nest today. Everything looks good. They mated while I was there. took a couple of pics
04/11/2015 by jmac
Visited the nest today and there is an incubating Osprey on it. Observed a male Osprey hunting not far from the nest
04/22/2014 by NJMC Jim
Birds copulated on April 1... Have awrded offf another Osprey and, yesterday, and immature bald eagle.