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
Review All Observations
2023 - Candy 2021 - Candy
aAdult Arrival3/22/23
aOccupiedYesNo
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 2023 2022 2021

Activity reports

2021 Nest Activity Report by Candy
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2023 Nest Activity Report by Candy
Adult arrival03/22/2023Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

05/19/2023 by Candy
5/19/2023 The platform is right on the footpath of the marsh; as it's approached, whoever is on the nest flies off to join the other on a nearby dead tree perch. Soon after though, one does return to sit on the nest. I hope this disturbance doesn't affect the eggs if they are there.

03/23/2023 by Candy

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

03/19/2022 by Candy
I'm so excited! I saw Sam today

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)