04/03/2020 by CarolC

After consulting with the head of the Low Country Osprey Watch at the Lowcountry Institute, it has been determined that this nest is not viable. It is has been suggested that although the property association thought is was doing something good by moving the nest from the dead tree to another nearby tree and cutting what has been described as a "flyway" to the nest, it was not placed in an appropriate tree. The nest was put in a live oak tree, not a pine. It might have been better to have placed a platform in a pine near the dead tree. This site will not be monitored since it is not viable.

03/29/2020 by CarolC

Herb N reports: Nest 7425 remains uninhabited. No ospreys. They fly by several times a day, look at the nest, and keep going. Yesterday, one landed on a limb nearby, stayed there a short while ,and then took off

03/19/2020 by CarolC

Herb N reports: As of 3/18/2020, still no activity or occupancy for the relocated Nest 7425.

03/08/2020 by CarolC

Herb N reports: Nest 7425 is the nest that its tree was hit by lightening in July, 2019. When the last Osprey finally departed last year to migrate, the developers and the property owners association moved the nest to a nearby tree and opened-up access flyways to reach the nest. It appears the Migratory Bird Treaty requirements were adhered-to. While it is early in the Osprey arrival time, no bird has yet to arrive and occupied at the relocated nest. What may or may not be important, around 4 PM today I observed an Osprey flying in circles around and very near where the tree with nest was located before it was taken down. After a few nearby circles, the bird departed and has not returned. I fear this was the arrival of the bird belong to the nest and it was looking for its tree and and nest,. When it did not see last year's tree and departed for good or couldn't find its old tree and nest, did not like the relocated nest,and has now departed to find a new nest and maybe a new mate.

08/12/2019 by CarolC

Herb N reports: Many changes have taken place in Nest 7425. The young learned to fly and spent much of their time learning to fish and strengthening their wings and stamina for the migration. Except for one bird, they spent almost all of the daylight hours away from the nest except for some visits apparently to rest. As seems normal, one of the birds spends more time in the nest than do the others. Now, 8/12/19 it seems three of the birds have started their migration and one remains in the nest. The remaining bird seems to cry out attempting to have that birds parents and sibling come back. Admittedly, I mainly come home after work and don't have complete picture of the nest during most of the day. It is sort of sad to see the smaller of the bird staying by the nest and seems to be lonesome. I understand a very few Ospreys do not migrate and remain in this area all winter. In fact, a couple or 3 years ago my wife and I were walking to Harbour Town and saw an Osprey on a low limb at the walkway in December. Maybe our lone Osprey will remain. I don't know if we shall feel as bad with a lonesome Osprey our loss of seeing these wonderful birds when they migrate. Next mid-March cannot come fast enough.

06/24/2019 by CarolC

NOTE: Based on Herb's observations, we are guessing the first fledged about June 17...but that is just a guess.

06/23/2019 by CarolC

Herb N reports: The ospreys in Nest 7425 are progressing normally. Two adults and two fledglings. At least things were normal until last night when things were anything but normal. At around dusk we had a very violent thunder storm. A bolt of lightning hit very close to our home and scared the living daylights out of us. Today I discovered that the bolt of lightning hit the lonesome pine tree in which the nest is located. The scar on the tree caused by the lightning strike is beyond belief. I have my doubts the tree will survive. However the ospreys seem unhurt and life is going on as normal. I suppose not being grounded saved their lives. Today, the day after the strike, they seem unfazed and are carrying-on as usual. I note that the male seems to be spending more time at the nest. I suspect the education of the two youngsters is about to begin in earnest. I am surprised at the size of the two young birds. They are almost full ground adults in size. I suspect it will not be too long before they get their flying lessons and their fishing lessons from their parents. Then, in another month or so it is off to South or Central America. Every year when they depart we feel as if a part of our lives are missing. My wife and I really admire and enjoy these animals and count the days, weeks, and months until their return.

06/23/2019 by CarolC

Herb N reports: It appears the tree in which Nest 7425 is located may have to be taken down due to the lightning strike of 11 days ago. An arborist has indicated there is a very good chance the lightning damaged the tree so severely the will probably die. In spite of the lightning strike, life continues normally for the birds. First, the larger of the two fledglings took flight and has been gone much of the time. I suppose he is at sea honing his fishing skills. A few days ago the smaller bird began to fly and seems to be away quite a lot of the time. I suppose it will not be too much longer for they head south. They will be missed.

05/20/2019 by CarolC

Herb N reports: Activities at nest #7425 continues in the normal routine. The smaller of the 2 birds, presumably the female, generally remains with the nest while the larger, presumably the male, spends most of the time away fishing. Several times during the daytime the fishing bird returns with with a fish. Upon returning and giving the fish to the nest, he seems to rest for a short period of time and then heads back to the ocean until his last daily trip at dusk. Meanwhile, as time progresses, the remaining bird seems to spend a little more time standing on the edge the nest and surveying her domain. The hatchlings have not yet appeared above the sides of the nest. Accordingly, I have no clue as to the number of hatchlings in the nest. I understand the total is normally 2 but I understand 3 is not too unusual. I am not certain of this. I noticed a couple of days ago a somewhat interesting event. I observed a lone bird (maybe a blackbird but probably a hawk) appeared near the nest. In any event, our female seem to be tracking the loan bird when the male arrived and chased away the lone intruder. A little while later 3 more of these birds appeared. One went to a nearby tree while the other 2 were engaged by 1 of the ospreys. While the Osprey did not have the same success as with the 1st intruding bird, he did draw away the intruders and they seem to have departed. As often as I have viewed this nest, I have not seen a return engagement. Of course, I really do not have a clue as to the nature of these birds and I did not think hawks banded together like blackbirds. Because, as best I could see, the coloring of the intruders was I believe more brown than black; but, of this am not certain. The surprising thing to me was the ability of these ospreys to immediately recognize danger. Birds, especially egrets and other similar birds, fly in the proximity of this nest quite often without drawing the attention of the ospreys. Their ability to immediately recognize a dangerous intruder from a harmless passerby greatly surprises me . I shall continue to watch these fascinating animals when I am not at work and have time to sit on my patio with my binoculars and view this nest about 50 yards away.

05/20/2019 by CarolC

NOTE: Based on observations, we are assuming that their are chicks in the nest. We have recorded it as 2 chicks, but will adjust as needed. We cannot confirm the date of hatching.

04/23/2019 by CarolC

Herb N reports: Not much has been going on with this nest. One bird stays with the eggs and then the fledglings. The other bird goes fishing and several times a day returns with a fish. I have been unable so far to see what is in the nest and if there are young, they are too young to get to the top of the deep nest and be viewed. The daily routine continues each day so viewing the nest bound bird happens several times when it moves around or does a little flying near the nest. I did note what I believe is a small to medium size hawk landed on a limb near the nest. I assume the visiting bird saw the young ospreys as a meal. The bird with the nest came out of the nest and went after the interloper with a vengeance. She chased the hawk and when the hawk went away, the osprey landed on a small limb adjacent to the nest and made certain the hawk got the message and would no longer be a threat. Again, the raising of the young goes this year exactly as I have witnessed the circle of life for several years. It's a great pleasure and an honor to watch these wonderful birds year after year. I only hope that somehow they know how much they are enjoyed and admired and the pleasure they give.

03/27/2019 by CarolC

observer Herb N reports: The pair of birds for this nest returned about six weeks ago. Since their return they have fallen into their usual routine. One bird is always at the nest tending the eggs and, when hatched, feeding and caring for the hatchlings. Meanwhile the other bird, I assume the male, goes fishing but returns to the nest at times during the daytime. He brings fish for the nesting bird and the hatchlings when they hatch. It seems their hunger is really satisfied. Meanwhile, the nest is never empty of an adult and not discarded. It is interesting in the evenings or late afternoon to see and listen to the bird remaining at the nest. They make quite a chatter and I assume is calling the mate to bring dinner. I have noted a phenomenon that I read about. That is the male at times when he returns with the fish will fly by the nest a timer to and take the fish to a nearby limb usually and another tree in close proximity. I understand and have read that this is all part of the ritual the bird performs for its mate. Apparently, according to what I have read, the male is showing the female what a great hunter he is, and how lucky she is to have hooked up with this great hunter and provider. While this may or may not be true, I would like to believe that it is. This year, it seems at this time the bird remaining with the nest seems somewhat more visible. The nest bird in past years more times than this year was spent is down with the eggs or hatchlings and you observed her only occasionally.not this year. It may be that the young have already hatched at her attendance with eggs is no longer necessary. To summarize, things are progressing nicely and normally with nest 7425. (NOTE: We do not have evidence yet that any eggs have hatched, but will keep checking. We will go with our best guess that incubation may have begun around March 11.)

03/11/2019 by CarolC

observer Herb N reports: This year, much to my joy, I saw the arrival of the first bird on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Within a few hours the mate arrived. Since their arrival, they have been extremely vocal and busy. What I believe may have been fertilization of the egg commenced within a day or two of arrival and, if this is as I believe, may have taken place at least once more. Nest repair and rebuilding has been a task that goes on almost daily. They must know what they are doing as the nest survived hurricane Matthew two and a half years ago, albeit with considerable damage, and was repaired expertly.

03/01/2019 by CarolC

observer David L. reports that both osprey were seen by 2-16

02/16/2019 by CarolC

Herb N has been watching this nest for at least 5 years.....but the nest was not part of the project. Here is some "catch up" info on the nest from 2018. My wife and I have been watching this nest and the birds for at least 5 fascinating years. When they leave, mid-August last summer, I feel a real sense of loss and wait none too patiently until their return. I watch them and their nest and their fledgling with my binoculars with enjoyable wonder during the much too short months they honor us with their presence. Of note and should be mentioned, is that last year, shortly before migration, I observed the fledglings just before they discovered flight. I was amazed to see what may have been the male parent light on a limb not far from the fledglings in the nest. The parent had the 2 young birds' attention. Then, to my amazement, without flying and holding on, the parent began a vigorous wings flapping. I believe he was teaching the young how to fly. Then the fledgling began to flap their wings and lifted-off a few inches. Shortly thereafter, the fledgling began to fly much to their delight. The young must have believed they discovered flight as they honed there skills with what appeared to be flying for fun and their enjoyment. In the evenings, they would dive toward the water in the large water hazard nearby and pull up just before the water. I noted The larger of young birds seemed to practice flying more than did the smaller one. The parent birds then seemed to take the two young birds to the ocean during the day and, I assume, the young were taught to dive for fish. Once mid-August arrived, the young were gone, then one of the older birds departed, and a few days later the last one was gone. My wife and I then had to endure our home osprey emptiness until their return mid-February.