Nesting Diaries
We were able to take the skiff close to the nest at high tide this morning. I have been able to watch this nest from land, but getting to it my water is a challenge because of crab and oyster pots. Although there has been much activity in nest with fish being delivered and rebuilding of nest after storms, I have never seen a chick. The nest is rather shallow, so if one were in nest, it would probably be visible.
Finally an osprey observed in nest this season.
On July 26, 2014, we noticed 4 osprey flying in area calling to each other. I got the binocs and walked to a point where I could observe nest. It was empty, but later in day all 4 osprey were observed in nest.
We took the recently repaired skiff into Chesconessex Creek and observed this nest in addition to nest #693. The two young osprey who abandoned this nest last year and were very sloppy nest builders the year before, successfully produced two chicks this season. They look healthy and almost ready to fledge.
I first recorded a few sticks on platform on March 30. On April 5, 2014, I recorded an osprey on platform with stick. On April 6, there was one osprey in nest which is not more than a few sticks on platform. This nest was abandoned last year because of nearby workmen shooting at birds. Issue has been resolved by VADGIF, so I am hoping that this pair will have a successful reproduction season.
I worked for a month with VADGIF to stop remodeling workers in a nearby house from shooting at birds in the area of house. Alas, efforts of conservation officers were too late to save this nest. I am sure that the osprey were either killed by shots or driven away by being constantly shot at. Shooters did not discriminate. They shot at everything in sight. I and other neighbors reported the shooting to VADGIF and mercifully it has stopped. However, it is too late for this nest. It is abandoned.
I haven't seen any birds in or near this nest for about a week. Nest is slowly deteriorating. Sad because I observed incubation behavior prior to disappearance of osprey. I suspect but hope not that workers in a nearby house being repaired from Hurricane Sandy damage were shooting at osprey as well as other birds in the area. I am trying to get pictures of them shooting at wildlife and will call VADGIF.
Finally there is a nest of sorts on the platform. Noticed egg laying behavior on April 22, 2013. Incubation behavior observed on April 24, 2013. The next is rather skimpy, but I guess is serving the purpose.
I have observed two osprey on platform for the past couple of weeks. If these are the same two birds as last year, they are exhibiting same behavior when it comes to nest building. Once in a while, they will bring in a stick and lay it on platform. However, they spend a lot of time on platform and especially like to eat their meals there. No sign of serious housekeeping yet. 04/09/2013.
Almost all of the nesting material is gone from the platform. Adults will land on platform from time to time to eat a fish, but all nesting activity has ceased.
This nest is a mystery. Two adult osprey continue to inhabit nest, but all nest building has ceased. I see adults bringing food to platform, but I don't observe any eggs or chicks.
April 15, 2012 More sticks brought to nest today. Observed one bird in middle of emerging nest this morning. It appears that these birds after two weeks of a stick here and a stick there are finally getting serious about their nest building.
April 14, 2012 After not observing any osprey in this nest for 3 days, 2 osprey delivered food and sticks to nest today around noon time. New pair?
April 13, 2012. I have not observed an osprey on this nest for 3 days. All nest building (which never seemed to be of much interest to these two birds) has been suspended. However, even tho' it has been very very windy this past week, the very small original stick arrangement of the nest remains in place. Maybe they'll return.
April 6, 2912 I first noticed osprey on platform on March 31. A couple of sticks have been brought to platform this past week with the first serious beginning of nest construction seen today April 6, 2012. Osprey have been on platform day and night for past week. Nest is located not far from nest #693. Nest is about 1,000 ft east and a bit south of #693.