I was convinced this was going to be a good nest as the female seemed pretty focused on trying out the platform when I first found it, and there was a male hanging close by, but it appears it has been abandoned by both adults. It is obvious no work has been done building up the nest since I last saw them two weeks ago, and the adults were nowhere to be found. I am unsure why they gave up on it, though I suspect the platform was just built way too close to a recreational trail. As I had walked down the trail towards the nest the previous time I was there, the female became quite upset and flew off, only to return as soon as I left. (I swear I kept to the trail). If enough people were using that trail in the last couple of weeks, it could have upset her to the point that the ospreys would have gone to find another nesting spot, I suppose. I hope the reason is as simple as that.
I just discovered this nest on April 1st, 2012, I have no idea how long it's been around or how long it's been used by this pair. The female was sitting in an incubation pose on the nest when I found it, but I do not believe an egg has been laid yet as the nest has hardly been built up at all. It doesn't look like they have been working on it very long. She was distressed by my walking by even though I stayed on the trail, and called for her mate and then left the nest, only to return as soon as I started leaving the area. It ought to be interesting to see what effect all the recreational bikers and joggers that use that trail have on this female over the summer. I think they built the platform way too close to the trail. The male was also there, close by on a tree, keeping a watchful eye on me. I am not sure of the exact date of the adults' arrival as I only discovered the nest a few days ago.