Nesting Diaries
Throughout this entire process for 2020 it was difficult to see until the chick until he/she was truly visible. I kept expecting 2, but only 1. I do not know how many eggs she laid because it was difficult to see inside. The nest had to be rebuilt and that certainly took some time. The chick progressed and grew fast. Getting all the food must have accounted for that. Lots of interlopers throughout the season trying to get to the nest, food and chick. But all persevered the attacks. Healthy chick seems to have made it out.
Brooding appeared to be occurring in the beginning of May. On 5/31/20 she looked like she was feeding and then was back down on the nest.
I was concerned because everyone else's nestlings seemed to have left and mine was still here late in September. Finally, just before the storm, Hurricane Matthew, all were gone. I hope they made it to where they were going.
It seemed quite late when we observed them sitting on the nest. The number of eggs were not visible from the shore. The baby appears to be late in flying, but he appears strong.
The chicks were named Mork and Mindy. Mindy being the youngest. Mork was bigger of course and flew first. Mindy flew several days later. Mork had gotten under the dock & the tide was rising. The owner of the house went in to coax him onto dry land because Mork was unable to fly up in the water. The owner was successful in getting him on dry land and the bird flew up to a piling. That was exciting!
On this date both parents had flown of nest, but female came back and was sitting higher on the nest.
When I arrived the female was on the nest. There was an eagle f.ishing nearby, but didn't come near the nest
Adults arrived in March. I didn't start observing till April 13th. She was sitting on the nest. A male is eating a fish on a piling. Then 2 other osprey were flying above. Female was fussing.
I have given up because I can't see anything. The homeowners who have been watching as well & were certain there were babies in there. So we took out the boat, pulled up to the nest, got a ladder on the bow and Molly went up to see what was in the nest. There were 2 eggs. The mother and dad had been acting like there were babies in there. We rode around and saw 3-4 nests uninhabited on the creek. One baby was sitting on a channel marker in the creek, but not. a nest
Parents are flying around, but female comes back to the nest, Is on the side and is looking down on the nest and moving her head as if moving something or feeding. I can't see any babies.