Nickname
NPB - Elizabeth River Lift Bridge
Coordinates
(36.8119, -76.2896)
Substrate
Originally bridge truss, now active construction crane
Description
Originally on top of the second truss of the above railroad bridge that crosses the Elizabeth River. Now on top of an active construction crane in the Norfolk Naval shipyard.
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2019 - Dave Gibson2018 - Dave Gibson2017 - Dave Gibson
aAdult Arrival3/12/19
aOccupiedYesYesYes
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation
cClutch Hatching
dNestlings1
eFledglings1
eFirst Chick Fledging
fChicks Last Observed
xNest Failure5/30/18
xReason For Nest Failureunknown reasonother

Select Seasons

Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2019 2018 2017

Activity reports

2017 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failureother
2018 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure05/30/2018
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failureunknown reason
2019 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrival03/12/2019Nestlings1
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings1
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

06/30/2019 by Dave Gibson
Observed the nest from on top of the Jordan Bridge. I think there are at least 2 chicks in the nest, but I'm not sure.

06/20/2019 by Dave Gibson
Finally, and from across the river, I observed a chick in the nest. There are likely more. Also observed the male fly across the river, locate nesting material, and return to its nest with same.

06/15/2019 by Dave Gibson
I don't think there are any questions that there are hatchlings in the nest. I observed the nest from the top of the Jordan Bridge and again from Elizabeth River Park. I saw no chicks, but the female was always on the rim. She occasionally left to get more nesting material, but quickly returned. At times both parents were present.

04/23/2019 by Dave Gibson
The birds are still on this active crane. Thankfully, they appear to be above all moving parts. I'd be willing to bet the female is sitting on eggs.

04/07/2019 by Dave Gibson
Even though this crane is in use, the Osprey pair is still there.

03/24/2019 by Dave Gibson
Presumably, this same pair has decided to build a nest on an active crane in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth instead. Oy! There are no signs of a nest or activity on the truss.

03/12/2019 by Dave Gibson
In am, I observed 1 Osprey vocalizing atop the 2nd bridge truss. Soon, it's mate arrived. They were very close to the spot where pairs have built nests previously.

03/11/2019 by Dave Gibson
We spotted an Osprey on the railroad bridge this pm. It was our first sighting of an Osprey there this season. A short while later, we spotted an Osprey (the same one?) flying low over a dead tree in the park (Elizabeth River Park). It grabbed the end of a branch, but what it grabbed fell apart. Not to be denied, it circled around again and flew over the same tree. But this time, it grabbed the end of a branch and succeeded in pulling off a large piece.

06/15/2018 by Dave Gibson
It appears the nest remains unoccupied. Will have to report as a nest failure for the second year in a row. Occasionally, and maybe more often than I realize, guys in hard hats walk the tracks just below. Could this be the problem? Who knows? We did see an Osprey flying, and angling, not far away, but there are other nests not far downriver. Oh well.

06/01/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited briefly around noon. A pair of Ospreys were flying around nearby (over the other end of the bridge and then over the Jordan Bridge), but the nest appeared to be unoccupied. And it didn't look especially large.

05/31/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited this evening for 10 minutes. No sign of Ospreys anywhere.

05/16/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in am. Female on nest and incubating. Male visited. Some vocalizing. Amazing how adaptable Ospreys are to human presence. This is a busy, noisy area!! Thank goodness this pair is succeeding so far (unlike last year's pair).

04/30/2018 by Dave Gibson
Have visited since 4/19. Ospreys are still there.

04/19/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited before noon. Both Ospreys on nest. Female hunkered down and appears to be on eggs. Still keeping the fingers crossed.

04/10/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in pm. One Osprey on nest.

04/09/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed briefly early pm. Two Ospreys on nest. Keeping my fingers crossed.

04/08/2018 by Dave Gibson
Almost as before--single Osprey on bridge nearby. At one point I observed a second Osprey in the nest. Nest hasn't grown in size. No sign of incubating.

03/28/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in pm. Both Ospreys on nest!

03/24/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited around 4 pm. Two Ospreys were together on the bridge and not too far from the nest. I assume this is the pair that is building the nest on the truss. We also observed an Osprey (one of the pair?) hunting in Scuffletown Creek.

03/24/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. Several crows in and around nest for a time. Single Osprey nearby on bridge, and taking no action.

03/15/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed both on and around nest this am. Nest building continues. The last 2 frames show delivery of stick to nest.

03/14/2018 by Dave Gibson
Last years failed nest is occupied by 2 Ospreys! Saw them. Heard them vocalize. Observed one retrieve a stick, bring it to the nest, and add to what was there. Observed some arranging. Nest building in process. Don't think the female is brooding. The nest has obviously grown since I saw it last.

09/28/2017 by Dave Gibson
Late afternoon, while walking, we observed an Osprey on the failed Osprey nest. It spent some time there (feeding?) before flying off. We also observed another hunting over Scuffeltown Creek.

06/02/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed nest from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. Nest remains empty. Spotted several Osprey not too far away, but none in immediate vicinity.

05/29/2017 by Dave Gibson
I've been observing/photographing the pair since 3/25. Female had been on nest and male was foraging. Now appears nest has failed. This evening the pair were still around (same birds, I presume), but neither bird was seen near nest. Both were on bridge trusses though, and one (male?) foraged. I observed nest last week. Nest was empty then as it is now.