Nesting Diaries
nest no longer exists, pair was moved to Joshua Cove #6298 where they are doing great
officially no longer an osprey site!
This nest site is now officially removed! The new homeowners took the chimney down. The osprey from this location moved to Joshua Cove (#6298) early 2016.
They are gone-moved to Joshua Cove #6298
Incubating has commenced at Joshua Cove platform and except for one day when I saw the male eating a fish back at Cove Ct bulkhead- I believe this site is abandoned!
Pair continued to bring nest material and get wings caught in wire deterrent even after a chimney company placed more wires on the structure. Homeowner refused to take nest material off chimney but still wanted the osprey off the chimney...A group of people decided to erect a platform about 1/4 mile away on the marsh of James Farm at Joshua Cove (#6298) and miraculously that same day, 4-17-16, the pair relocated to the platform. Fingers crossed they can hold onto the newly constructed platform nest site but as of 4-20-16 they are binging nest material and thwarting other ospreys attempts at nest takeover!
I observed both birds flying in and out of the wire deterrent on the chimney. The one bird continues to bring nest material (most likely the male) and it appears the female spends more time in amongst the wires attempting to place the nest material. The nest has grown considerably since last week so the wiring is not keeping the birds away. Both birds are getting their wings caught on the wires. The home is for sale and unoccupied. I contacted DE F&W and gave the homeowners info to biologist in hopes someone can do a better and SAFER job of deterring this osprey pair. There is open marshland very close to this nest site that would be suitable for a nesting platform. Something I will look into for fall of 2016.
Nest has been rebuilt on a private home chimney for past 3 years. Nest is taken down by owner each winter. 2015 pair had 2 chicks, both died. 2016 winter homeowner placed wire on chimney to keep birds from nesting. 3-25-2016 both birds were on nearby piling and have begun flying through the wiring and rebuilding a nest. The wiring may be very hazardous for the birds.