Nickname
101-B-024 (Sam and Dave)
Coordinates
(40.0806, -74.0902)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
This nest is located in the midst of the Slade Dale Bird Sanctuary ( 13 acres) along the North Branch of Beaver Dam Creek, a tidal marsh.
⚠️ Need accurate location.
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 - Candy | 2021 - Candy | |
|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 3/22/23 | |
| aOccupied | Yes | No |
| aActive | ||
| bEgg Laying | ||
| bIncubation Initiation | ||
| cClutch Hatching | ||
| dNestlings | ||
| eFledglings | ||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | ||
| fChicks Last Observed | ||
| xNest Failure | ||
| xReason For Nest Failure |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021
Activity reports
2021 Nest Activity Report by Candy
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
Nest Activity Report by Candy
| Adult arrival | 03/22/2023 | 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
03/23/2023 by Candy
Sam and Dave are the first pair I have observed together. On 3/22/2023, they were on a favored perch, then flew off in different directions. Dave returned first with a good sized fish, and waited to share with Sam.
07/28/2022 by Candy
When I visited yesterday the parents were trying to entice the juvenile to follow them across the creek to a tree. They each had a fish and chirping to their offspring and it constantly chirped back. When I saw it fly out finally, it had a fish too! And followed them across the creek to the tree. I am theorizing they were teaching it to carry the prey to some place further away from the nest.
07/07/2022 by Candy
Hooray! I saw one chick that Sam was trying to entice it to fly! She kept flying over the nest, calling to it while grasping a small fish tail in her talons. Then she landed on a dead tree, and constantly called to it as she held the fish on the branch. I stayed for a bit but didn't see it fly to Sam. Dave sat on another dead tree and just watched.
06/21/2022 by Candy
When I visited last week, I noticed Dave on his favorite perch, a dead tree. Sam wasn't on the nest. Prior to last week, she was always on it, and squawked as I approached the platform. It was the same this week. Sadly, as I walked around the other side of the shallows, I spotted evidence of fireworks. My theory is she was either scared away, injured, or something else just as bad. I will continue to monitor. Hopefully my theory is wrong. Unfortunately this bird preserve is a partying location for teens, and leave beer cans, bottles, vapes, etc.
06/07/2022 by Candy
Yesterday an interloper flew overhead while Sam was on the nest and Dave was perched on a nearby tree. She watched with great interest as he went after the offending osprey. I have not seen any evidence of hatched eggs yet.
05/01/2022 by Candy
When I got to the nest I could barely see Sam's tail sticking up; I thought she's really getting the eggs deep. As I watched her tail rustle, Dave flew in and they mated! It seems this year I am seeing more mating by all the ospreys!
04/08/2022 by Candy
I am pretty sure there's eggs - I saw Dave fly onto the nest and Sam popped her head out from deep within it!
03/21/2022 by Candy
When I got to the nest Sam was in a tree pecking away at something I couldn't identify - it looked like a clump of mud and grass. I looked for Dave and found him perched in a tree. When I looked back at Sam, the unidentified thing was gone and she took off.
03/20/2022 by Candy
They wasted no time! I saw them mate 3 times. Both busy fortifying the nest. First day of spring was mighty nice
03/15/2022 by Candy
I've been checking nests and today I heard Dave's call before I spotted him. He looks like he had a good winter and the nest looks good too.
11/12/2021 by Ben Wurst
Thank you, Candy for mapping this nest. We just need the exact location at some point.
08/04/2021 by Candy
I hadn't been to this nest since the end of June. Today a female fledgling was hesitant to take flight despite a sibling trying to encourage her with a fish on a nearby tree. I didn't see Dave around or the 3rd fledgling but suddenly Sam appeared with a fish to entice the last one to fly.
06/28/2021 by Candy
It was a typical NJ summer day -hazy, hot ,humid. Sam was on the nest with 2 chicks (that I could see). DVe was on his favorite perch.
06/20/2021 by Candy
A hot and steamy Sunday visit to Sam and Dave. I was so excited to note TWO more hatchlings! TRIPLETS! Sam flew around giving me a warning scream and settled on a branch. I don't know why this platform was built right on the trail - every time I go near and pass it, Sam is distressed of course. And I am not the only visitor. I know other photographers and locals walk the trail.
06/09/2021 by Candy
I had been visiting this nest irregularly; today I visited and saw one hatchling! It looks like a baby dinosaur. Sam, the female, flew over the nest as I approached on the trail giving me warning. Dave, the male, sat unconcerned on a nearby branch. I have decided I will follow this nest because I've lost a nest (Hepburn and Tracy were evicted in Bay Head)