Nickname
CSA Maintenance Sea Pines
Coordinates
(32.1359, -80.7816)
Substrate
Utility Pole
Description
Osprey nest is on CSA maintenance pole off Lawton Canal Road, right after turn into back entrance to Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
The best way to see the nest (on the skinny pole, not the water tower) is to go in the back gate, entering Forest Preserve on Lawton and park at first right hand turn under the tree before you get to the little gazebo with maps. Walk on the path to the gate and peer through. Walk a bit further and peer between trees. Very hard to see this nest as it is high up.
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
| 2023 - CarolC | 2022 - CarolC | 2021 - CarolC | 2020 - CarolC | 2019 - CarolC | 2018 - CarolC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 3/6/23 | 3/8/22 | 2/28/20 | 2/20/19 | 2/17/18 | |
| aOccupied | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| aActive | ||||||
| bEgg Laying | ||||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 3/26/22 | 3/14/20 | 3/15/19 | 3/19/18 | ||
| cClutch Hatching | 5/7/22 | 4/20/21 | 4/27/20 | 4/27/19 | 5/1/18 | |
| dNestlings | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| eFledglings | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 7/2/22 | 6/20/20 | 6/17/19 | 6/27/18 | ||
| fChicks Last Observed | 7/5/20 | 7/14/19 | ||||
| xNest Failure | ||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Activity reports
2018 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/17/2018 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/27/2018 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/19/2018 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/01/2018 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/20/2019 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/17/2019 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 07/14/2019 | |
| Incubation initiation | 03/15/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/27/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 02/28/2020 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 06/20/2020 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | 07/05/2020 | |
| Incubation initiation | 03/14/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 04/27/2020 | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 04/20/2021 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/08/2022 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/02/2022 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 03/26/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/07/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
Nest Activity Report by CarolC
| Adult arrival | 03/06/2023 | 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 |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
03/20/2023 by CarolC
Christine B reports:
I observed one adult Osprey in this nest. I could only see the top of her head moving from side to side. From past experience I think she may be incubating her eggs. I did not see her partner .
03/13/2023 by CarolC
Christine B reports: This morning I observed one adult Osprey standing in the nest on the communication tower closest to the water treatment office building. There was another adult Osprey perched on the communication tower which is a short distance from the the tower where the nest was constructed. The Osprey on the this tower was facing the nest . It appeared to me that he was monitoring the nest and his partner from afar.
03/06/2023 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed this nest yesterday evening only to see one Osprey in the nest. I was disappointed so I went back this morning. Upon my arrival there was only one Osprey in the nest looking about and chirping. I waited for 15 minutes and luckily another Osprey circled and landed in the nest . I am thrilled to be able to report that my pair of Osprey are back. When I left, the pair were inside the nest side by side.
02/26/2023 by CarolC
Christine B reports:
I observed one adult Osprey sitting in the middle of this nest . I could only see the upper most part of her body. I watched for a long period of time hoping to see some other activity to confirm that the female Osprey had returned . There was no other activity to report.
02/19/2023 by CarolC
Christine B reports:Nest #6981 is being rebuilt . It is a bit larger then a week ago. Mister Osprey was perched on the nest today chirping away waiting for his beautiful partner to return .
02/14/2023 by CarolC
Mary Alice T spotted one osprey at the site where the nest was in the past. Maybe a sign they will rebuild?
07/04/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Two osprey at the nest. One osprey was in the nest and one was perched on the rim. No other osprey observed on the tower or surrounding area. NOTE: we believe that these are the two young who have now fledged.
07/03/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed this nest from the preserve side and the water treatment side. Absolutely no activity seen in the nest, on the nest, or in the surrounding area.
06/20/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed Mom and Nestling in the nest today. Dad was perched below on the tower. He flew off came back later with a fish in his talons. He landed in the nest and you could see that they were sharing the fish by watching the head movements of the Mom and Dad Osprey.
06/12/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports:
Thrilled to report I observed one nestling clearly in nest #6981. At the same time Mom was feeding another nestling in the nest. I only saw the top of this nestlings head. Two nestlings sighted this evening in this nest.
06/11/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed Mom perched on the top of the tower next to the nest this AM . She was busy preening herself. I did not observe any little ones at this time.
05/30/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I have observed this nest and behavior several times this week. This morning Mom was perched on the edge of the nest and Dad was on guard perched on the tower below.
05/15/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: This evening I observed Mom and Dad Osprey perched on the edge of the nest. I waited and watch for 15 mins. but did not get to see any other activity. Mom would lower her head into the nest several times but I could not see what was catching her attention.
NOTE: Based on this observation and the 5/10 report, we believe there are nestlings. Until we can confirm the number, we are listing 1 and an approximate hatching date of about May 7th, a few days before the first slight indication of hatching, confirmed by today's report.
05/10/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Today I observed one Osprey in the nest with a lot of head movement going on. No chirping or any other adult in the vicinity today.
04/27/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: As usual when I arrive and for 15 mins there is no activity to observe. She is so low in the nest it looks to be empty. All of a sudden she pops up takes off after another Osprey in her territory and with a couple diving maneuvers chases the Sea Bird away. She gets back to her nest quickly and resumes her
position in the nest and she is again out of sight.
04/19/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: At first there looked like there was no activity at this nest but I know it is very difficult to see Mom when she is low in the nest. After waiting at least 10 mins. I finally saw the top of her head . She got up and took off flying making a small circle not to far from the nest. She landed in the nest and immediately disappeared below the nest edge.
03/26/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I first observed this nest from the Preserve . I did not see any sign of an Osprey in the nest or in the vicinity. I drove around to the water treatment side of the nest and waited quit a few minutes when an Osprey came into view carrying food in his talons. I watched him circle 3 or 4 times . He made his final approach to the nest and landed. That is when I saw her wings and head pop up. He deposited the food and quickly flew away . I watched him fly away and I could see he had something in his beak. He dropped it to the ground some distance from the nest and continued to fly toward the ocean side of Sea Pines.
She is so low in the nest that you cannot tell at all that she is occupying the nest.
NOTE: Based on this observation we assume incubation is underway. We dated it as of this observation.
03/17/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Observed this nest late afternoon. One Osprey in the nest. It looked like she was rearranging twigs or something on the bottom of the nest.
03/08/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed two Osprey today at this nest. One Osprey was standing in the nest
and one was standing on the edge of the nest. They were just hanging out .
No other activity observed at this time.
02/13/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey standing on nest #6981 chirping for a couple of seconds and then he took off flying in the direct of the Sea Pines Preserve.
02/13/2022 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey standing on nest #6981 chirping for a couple of seconds and then he took off flying in the direct of the Sea Pines Preserve.
07/26/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: This morning I observed this nest for 45 minutes. When I arrived there was one Osprey perched
on the edge of the nest . It looked like he was eating something. As I watched it became apparent there was one more Osprey on the other side of the nest perch below. A third Osprey came flying from the direction of the Ocean landed in the nest disrupting the other two they flew off and the disrupter remained perched on the edge of the nest. So for sure the young Ospreys have fledged. I know I reported there were two but it looks like there were three. The first Osprey I observed in this report was a tiny bit thinner then his siblings.
NOTE: We have changed the nest data to indicate 3 nestlings and that all 3 have fledged. Based on the observations, it is likely that they fledged about the end of June or early July but we cannot be sure of the date.
07/19/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: NOTE: It has been a puzzling season. I did not see the behaviors I have seen in the past seasons with the adult Osprey and also the young. Today no activity in the nest but what looked like two adult Osprey were perched on the tower over by the water tank some distance away also chirping. Maybe they are the youngsters. I couldn't get a good look at their coloring .
07/17/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one adult Osprey standing in the nest .
No other activity in or above the nest observed
07/09/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports:
I observed this nest early am on the 7th and afternoon on the 9th
Sorry to report but I did not see any activity on either
occasion. No adult Osprey in the area or nestlings in the nest
The Forest Preserve in Sea Pines is closed now due to the storm damage.
I can only observe this nest from the water treatment plant side.
No nest damage from storm noted.
06/28/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I spent One half hour at this nest today. I observed Mom
changing positions on and in the nest several times but never saw any nestlings this AM
06/12/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed from the Sea Pines Preserve side one adult Osprey in this nest and one adult Osprey perched on the edge of the nest. I drove over to the water treatment plant side and patiently observed from that angle and my reward was to see two nestlings pop their heads up, positioned beside Mom.
06/07/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports:Adult Osprey observed standing on guard in the nest . After a few minutes she took off and made a large circle toward the lakes in the Preserve and returned in the opposite direction. At the same time adult Osprey number two flew from his perch on a second tower also on the property landed and took on the guard position below the nest.
05/31/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one adult Osprey sitting in the nest. Her head and neck were visible. There was one adult Osprey standing guard at another tower not to far from the nesting tower. He eventually took off and flew to the nesting tower , landed and perch below the nest where he resumed guard duty.
05/10/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one adult Osprey sitting low in the nest and one adult Osprey flying to the nest landing
on the edge of the nest and then taking off almost immediately after landing. No other activity to note.
04/20/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed Nest #6981 at three different times this evening and finally I can report that there are two hatchlings in the nest and I observed one parent perched on the edge of the nest at my third and final observation. Hooray!!
03/30/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: No adult Ospreys spotted this morning. There was no activity in this nest or in the air.
02/16/2021 by CarolC
Christine B reports: A small section of this nest survived the wind and rain we experienced this season.
However there was one Osprey perched on the nest that survived chirping today.
07/06/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: No activity at this nest at 2:00pm empty nest.
I think it is safe to say that the youngsters in thisnest have fledged. Yeah!
06/24/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Osprey Nest #6981 June 24, 2020 7:30pm
I observed one adult Osprey perched on the edge of the nest and two Fledglings
in the nest. The third and smaller of the three Fledglings was perched on a metal structure
attached to the tower about 20 feet down from the nest. I was so very excited to see the smaller of the three Fledglings out of the nest.
I now know that at least two of the youngsters have fledged . :)
06/20/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Nest #6981 8:15pm
I observed three young Osprey in the nest.
10 minutes into my observation time I witnessed one of the offspring take flight. She circled above the nest once and then landed back in the nest. I also observed one adult land on the edge of the nest briefly She then took off and was out of sight quickly.
06/09/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Nest #6981 CSA SP tower 7:15 am June 9, 2020
I observed one adult Osprey standing on the nest and Three young Osprey in the nest this morning.
05/27/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: When I arrived there was one adult Osprey perched on the left edge of the nest.
I did see another adult a bit later pop up and spread her wings a few times.
I also observed what looked like a smaller Osprey's head on the right side of the nest.
Left side of nest can be observed from inside the Preserve NOTE: We are listing at least 1 chick and will update as more become visible.
The right side is the CSA water filtration plant service road observation point.
05/17/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Observed on May 10th and 17th 2020 No new behavior observed . One Osprey standing in the nest keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. Partner was nowhere to be seen.
05/04/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one adult standing in the nest looking around and once in awhile she would lowered her head into the nest. Her partner was perched on the
tower below the nest preening.
NOTE: Based on this report we assume that the eggs have hatched sometime in the past week. The date of April 27 is a pure guess.
04/19/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Osprey nest # 6981 before the storm.
I observed the tops of two Osprey heads in the nest.
One of the adult Ospreys flapped their wings, flew
and then perched on the tower below the nest.
I kept watch for approximately 10 minutes but I
did not observe any other activity in this nest.
04/07/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I have observed one Osprey sitting low in her nest with the ends of her tail feathers showing.
She did stand up for a couple of minutes, seemed to be moving around her eggs again
and then settling back down in the nest. I did not see her partner today.
03/26/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey in this nest today. She was standing in the nest and looked like she was rearranging something but that is just my guess.
I drove to the other side of the CSA filtration plant hoping to be able to get a better look at what was going on up there but
unfortunately the view wasn't any better.
03/14/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: 11:30 AM I observed two Osprey at this nest this morning. One of the adult Osprey was sitting low in the nest and her mate was standing on the edge of the nest.
NOTE: Based on this observation, we are thinking incubation is occurring.
02/28/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Thrilled to report I observed two Osprey in Nest #6981 CSA Communications Tower for the first time today. One was sitting in the nest while the other was standing in the nest. They both took off and soared above the nest for a short time. The couple returned to the nest and settled down.
02/03/2020 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed one Osprey perched on the edge of the nest on top of the tower
I also observed one Osprey on the Pine tree directly in front of the
nest. I can't say that they are a couple due to the fact that I haven't seen
them perched on the nest together.
08/07/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: There were two hatchling in this nest. I was lucky to see one of those Hatchlings fledge . I visited this nest for one week and always saw one Osprey occupying the nest. Finally two weeks from my June 26th report the nest was empty. I believe my second hatchling fledged during sometime before July 14th.
06/26/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Osprey Nest #6981 June 26th 2019 AM
Observed three Osprey in the nest. One parent and two siblings.
Mom flew off toward the Ocean and one of the siblings flew off and soared in the general vicinity for awhile then disappeared.
The Osprey that was left behind did not look like she was interested at all in taking flight. After approximately 15 minutes Mom returned
with a fish which she gave to her baby. Mom stood watch as her baby ate.
06/17/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: June 17th 2019 7:45 PM
I observed one of my babies fledge tonight.
He flapped his wings and rose up from the edge of the nest and came back down three times. On his fourth try he rose up and took to flight. He took off, circled and landed 3 times then he settled down in the nest. His sibling is still hunkered down in the nest.
06/16/2019 by CarolC
Mart Alice T reports seeing one Osprey at side of tower and two in the nest..,.sure at least one was a chick.
06/15/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: June 15, 2019 Nest # 6981
Observed Mom and two offspring standing on the edge of the nest
chirping and flapping their wings. Looks like they will fledge soon.
06/02/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: A couple of days ago I observed 3 Adult Osprey at this nest. Two flew off one remained. At first I thought one offspring had fledged but he was big and they looked a little too young a few days earlier. I did count two offspring in the nest after observing a bit longer.
Today I spent some time in the Preserve observing this nest from all angles and distances. Two Adults were present in the nest only saw one of the offspring today.
06/02/2019 by CarolC
Mary Alice T added some info: While observing another nest, she noticed there was a huge commotion at this nest with one Osprey sitting on the nest, another sitting on part of the tower and a third circling up above. It had gotten them all riled up...
05/19/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: May 19th, 2019 AM Nest #6981 Joyful Report I was able to see Mom Osprey with two of her offspring this morning in the nest.
From the Preserve side I saw one but from the water treatment side in front of her I could see two small chicks. NOTE: Based on these observations, we have made our best guess on hatching date ...April 27.
05/01/2019 by CarolC
observer Christine B reports: I observed two Adult Osprey standing on the edge of the nest. The Dad flew off . I stayed for some time hoping to see him return with a fish and maybe I would be able to see chicks but the bugs got the better of me.
04/17/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: I observed the Mom Osprey sitting on the nest and Dad standing on the edge of the nest on guard duty.
04/04/2019 by CarolC
report from Christine B.
Obseved one Osprey in the nest sitting very low. I could only see the very top of her head when she moved from time to time.
Could not locate her partner. He was probably out fishing.
03/19/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: March 19th AM observed one Osprey laying low in her nest. No other activity observed.
03/06/2019 by CarolC
Christine B reports: Sea Pines Preserve. 12:30 pm Two Osprey in the nest. One sitting very Low could only see the head.
Second Osprey standing in the nest observing the surroundings .
On guard duty :)
02/20/2019 by CarolC
observer Christine B reports: This morning, both soon to be parents were in the nest.
07/04/2018 by CarolC
observer Debby B. reports: think the 2 osprey chicks (quite big) flew about 27th June, but they are still on nest. Sometimes one, one day none, today both there on nest. Can't say for sure, but you can put down July 1 for fledge date.
06/07/2018 by CarolC
Observer Jim G. was able to help at this nest by viewing it through his scope. It was quite a day at the nest.
6981 01:06pm - 02:16pm
At 01:06pm Two juveniles standing in nest; one is exercising flight muscles.
At 01:12pm Female brings fish to the nest. A third juvenile pops up and join in the eating. Female leaves the three kids to eat.
At 01:28pm One of the juveniles continues the flight muscle exercises.
At 01:35pm Female returns to the nest with another fish and begins to eat
At 01:37pm The larger juvenile (the one who had been exercising) takes to the air and flies out of sight.
At 01:41pm The female starts tearing pieces of fish off of the carcass and giving them to the remaining two juveniles.
At 01:45pm One of the remaining two juveniles resumes wing flapping.
At 01:49pm I hear an osprey calling in the distance; the female and the two juveniles remaining in the nest are scanning the sky.
At 01:52pm The female is still eating and tearing off chunks for the two remaining chicks.
At 01:59pm The female has finished eating and is now just feeding remainder of the fish to one of the juveniles.
At 02:16pm The female and 2 juveniles remain in the nest. No further sightings of the juvenile that flew at 01:37pm.
06/06/2018 by CarolC
Observer Debby B. reports: The two osprey babies are waving their wings with at least one parent always in attendance. Very hard to see this nest as it is so high up.
05/17/2018 by CarolC
observer Debby B. thinks there are 2 or 3 chicks in the nest....she says it looks like 3 heads but is not positive
05/14/2018 by CarolC
observer Debby B. reports that it appears the adults are feeding chicks....chicks not yet visible
Based on this, guessing that they hatched about the 1st...but this is purely a guess.
04/03/2018 by CarolC
observer reports: Nest is up so high that it is difficult to see the osprey, but probably one head visible
03/19/2018 by CarolC
3/19 Observer reports: thought osprey were sitting on eggs, and on 3/15/18 saw one bringing more sticks and then both pushing them around the nest.
by CarolC