Nesting Diaries
Robin S reports: no nest building but ospreys have been seen on the platform
Robin S reports: Palmetto Hall put up a new platform to replace the tree that was damaged and the nest destroyed. We have good news! The osprey are coming to the platform and hanging out.
In Jan 2021, the tree was removed. However, a platform was installed in close proximity to the old tree.
Robin S reports that the nest was destroyed during a storm the week of August 9, 2020. Fortunately, the chicks had already fledged. We hope the pair rebuilds next season.
Robin S reports: checked on the ospreys last night and they have fledged but still coming back to the nest to eat and hang out.
Robin S reports: My speculation has been confirmed. We have 3 nestlings at the nest. I had seen poop flying in a section without nestlings heads and thought there may be 3 nestlings. Confirmed! Yeah!
Robin S reports: This year the ospreys got a Chicago Blackhawk's dog leash and brought it to the nest. It must have fallen down the tree. Amazing what they pick up. NOTE: SEE PHOTO
Robin S reports: Yesterday I went to check on the osprey nest to see how many nestlings I could see but to also check on the male osprey. My last visit to the nest a couple of days ago I noticed the male osprey had been recently injured by what looked like claw marks on his chest. While I was at the nest we saw 2 nestlings but what we saw next was fascinating.
The female was very vocal and had her protective wings were over the nest. An intruder osprey was flying overhead and came right over the nest.
Next I heard the male osprey (Dad) in a nearby tree and he came after the intruder osprey. The male osprey had been eating a fish in the nearby tree and held on to the dinner the entire time as he chased off the intruder.
Nature is amazing to watch and we had a front row seat.
Robin S reports: Appears the male has an injury but the osprey was doing normal behaviors…eating, flying, etc. Photo included
Robin S reports: I was able to see one chick today ( see photo ... chick is under the female osprey). There was a crow that went too close to the nest and the male chased it away.
Robin S reports: I went by the nest today and heard osprey chicks (too early to see them). Yippee!! The female was eating and the male was on a nearby tree.
The male flew over the nest as if checking out his family and went back to the tree.
Robin S reports: I went by the nest today and saw the male on a nearby tree and the female in the nest. At first the female was sitting down on the nest and then got up to eat. I didn’t see any feeding behavior but she was looking down often. Here is what I know. (1) The female in the nest was eating. What I typically see is the male brings fish to a nearby tree and eats around 1/2 and delivers the remaining fish to the female. So I am gathering he just ate. (2) Unfortunately, I could only get the back view of the osprey but I saw the head going back and forth as if cleaning and then I would see food particles and/or bark flying
NOTE: After consulting with others, the consensus was the male was cleaning his bill after eating.
Robin S reports: I saw the male land on a nearby tree with small fish and he ate for a while. The male brought the partially eaten fish to the nest where female was sitting flat in the nest. The female took the fish and flew out of the nest leaving the male.
The female returned and both were in the nest for a while.
Robin S reports:
One adult was sitting in the nest: NOTE: we assume that incubation is underway.
Robin S reports: Today the female was in the nest and the male was on a nearby tree hanging on tight as it was very windy.
Robin S reports: Both ospreys have been spotted as early as 1/31. I went by yesterday and noticed one osprey sitting on the side of the nest.
Robin S reports: All 3 osprey fledged. I went back on 6/17 and the nest was empty. They still come back to the nest from time to time.
Robin S reports: Osprey has fledged.
I went as the sun was setting tonight. I found 3 in the nest with 1 being the female adult. I found a fledged osprey in a nearby tree. I will check the nest tomorrow when I have more light.
Linda O reports for Robin S: . Again nothing unusual going on. One Osprey in the nest, picture attached. Right at the area of this nest is a construction site, so I could not walk around to observe all sides of the nest. Photo is attached.
Robin S reports: You may recall this is the nest next to a construction site. The tree hasn’t been disturbed the area around it has clearing and lots of machinery. I noticed the male was below the nest in the same tree which is very different than the norm. He usually stands on a tree a few hundred feet away but too clearing so he is staying close to home.
Feeding time. I did see both chicks and all is well.
Robin S reports: I went to the nest on 4/23 to find the female not sitting on eggs and saw one chick. Today I went back and found 2 chicks and the female feeding them. The female did leave the chicks briefly to go get reinforcement for the nest.
Robin S reports: Still sitting on eggs and both adults are taking turns. This day one adult came in for awhile then left.
Observer Robin S reports: I visited the nest today and it appears the female is sitting on eggs. The male brought a fish to the nest.
NOTE: Based on this, we are guessing the eggs may have been laid about March 10th
observer Robin S reports: I have been watching the osprey nest for the past couple of weeks. The female has been sitting on the side of the nest and the male I sight occasionally flying above. Today the female was sitting in the nest but got up and then flew to a nearby tree to perch.
observer Robin S reports: I have been watching the osprey nest for the past couple of weeks. The female has been sitting on the side of the nest and the male I sight occasionally flying above. Today the female was sitting in the nest but got up and then flew to a nearby tree to perch.
Linda O. reports: I went back to the Osprey Nest here in Palmetto Hall this morning at about 11:30 and was excited to find the pair in their nest. It looked to me as though the Mom stayed low in the nest and Dad was the look out.
Linda O. reports: that I went by the nest at 4 PM yesterday and the Female Osprey was in the nest. She was continually calling, for her mate I’m thinking. She was looking all around and calling. I’ll let you know when I see the pair together. Attached are a couple of pictures that I took. I’ll keep an eye out and let you know what’s happening.
all 2018 observations and photos by Robin S.
observer reports:We started with 3 nestlings but ended with 2. Both nestlings are enjoying time away from the nest but close by with Mom supervising. Note: Based on this report, the fledging date has been posted as 6/23, but it probably was several days earlier.
comments:The osprey nestling is having a practice round using the wings and the wing span is impressive. Mom feed the nestlings then flew out of the nest with the fish bones and went back in the nest. The second nestling is trying to eat the fishtail Mom brought back to the nest. I was unable to spot the third nestling today.
observer reports: The three chicks are doing great and growing. Mom takes a short break from time to time and does a fly over but always close. A few days ago it was pretty warm and the chicks were sitting under Mom’s wings
Observer reports: can see 3 chicks in the nest
observer reports: 2 chicks in nest! Can just see them in the photo added.
Update: Behavior has changed with the adults. Previously, Dad went off to get a fish and ate ½ of it and took the rest to the nest to mom. Mom would leave the nest and go eat.
Lately, Mom hasn’t left but eats in the nest.
The last visit I noticed Mom was not sitting on the eggs but to the side. I don’t hear nestlings yet but suspect they have hatched…hopefully soon my suspension will be confirmed.
We also have seen an interloper visiting…another osprey circling above the nest. Dad was on the tree eating his ½ of the fish and Mom got very agitated (2nd photo) and calling for help. Dad kept the fish in his talons and went after the other osprey then back to the tree to eat more of his fish. I was so fascinated I didn’t get any photos of the visiting osprey but got one with dad taking off.
observer reports: My last visit to nest 6983 was very exciting. Mom was on the nest sitting on eggs and she kept calling but I couldn’t find Dad. I turned around to head to the other nest but to my pleasant surprise across the street up on a branch was Dad enjoying a fish (I had the back view of Dad). So I crossed the street and went on the cart path and turned around watching Dad eat ½ of the fish while Mom continued calling to him. When he was done with his ½, he called to Mom and flew to her providing her dinner. She quickly took the fish and flew back to the same branch Dad ate on and enjoyed her dinner.
observer reports: I visited this nest today and had to smile. There is new nest material – We must have some Chicago Black Hawk fans in the area. Do you see the bright red ribbon hanging down? Mom was on the nest, started calling and left the nest only to circle quickly around and come right back.
No evidence of nestlings yet.
Mom Osprey has been sitting on the nest apparently incubating eggs.
observer reports: Nest 6983 is so much fun to watch. Mom seems to be in the nest a great deal more these days with Dad on a perch close by. Dad did bring some more nest material in today and they were together for a little while in the nest.
2/22/18 Both osprey at nest - see photo
2/17/18 Nest under construction at top of dead tree