Nesting Diaries
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.
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.
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.
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.
Even though this crane is in use, the Osprey pair is still there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visited this evening for 10 minutes. No sign of Ospreys anywhere.
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).
Have visited since 4/19. Ospreys are still there.
Visited before noon. Both Ospreys on nest. Female hunkered down and appears to be on eggs. Still keeping the fingers crossed.
Visited in pm. One Osprey on nest.
Observed briefly early pm. Two Ospreys on nest. Keeping my fingers crossed.
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.
Visited in pm. Both Ospreys on nest!
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.
Visited this am. Several crows in and around nest for a time. Single Osprey nearby on bridge, and taking no action.
Observed both on and around nest this am. Nest building continues. The last 2 frames show delivery of stick to nest.
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.
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.
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.
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.