Nesting Diaries
Today, both osprey were in a dead tree along the road looking down towards the nest. They flew when I slowed down near them. Landing on the nest, the pair soon began mating. They then sat on the nest for the rest of the time I was there.
Both osprey were on the nest. One flew along the edge of the lake and missed a fish. It landed in a small tree on the opposite side of the lake from me and was soon joined by the second osprey.
The osprey returned this year. I haven't been able to visit often as my route home has changed but yesterday, I drove over. There are two young on the nest. Look about ready to fledge. Dad was seen with a fish flying to the nest. Then he sat in the water along the bank for a long time. (Eating or hunting?) Mom- on the nest. No photos taken.
3/1/11 Yesterday on my way to work (about 7 am), one of the osprey was on the nest at Donegal Lake. This is the first time I've seen it back this year.
3/25/11 Both Osprey were on the nest this morning at Donegal Lake.
19 March 2011 Osprey at Donegal lake
4/6/11 Donegal Lake- both osprey were on the nest
4/8/11 Osprey seen at Donegal Lake
4/23/11 Osprey seen again.
4/29/11 The osprey sitting on her nest
5/2/11 One osprey seen at Donegal Lake
5/4/11 Ditto
5/14/11 http://thenaturallife-donna.blogspot.com -got some great photos of the male osprey taken during the survey.
6/6/11 Marcellus gas drilling getting started on the hill just above the lake- what will it do to the lake, the birds, etc?
6/10/11 Yesterday, just before the hail storm, I saw both adults on the nest feeding the young. I could make out at least 2 babies. This was the first time I could verify that there were actually young in the nest although I 'knew' there had to be some. The trees along the road into the lake have grown up so much since last year that you can no longer see the nest from the road. The only place I can get a decent look is from the first boat dock and you need at the least binoculars- scope is better. This pair of osprey hatched 2 last year and it looks like a second year of successful nesting for them. (a local reported finding a dead osprey at Jones Mill around this time- glad to find out it wasn't one of this pair)
6/11/11 saw the great blue heron and the osprey male chasing each other- they are rather loud when angry.