Nesting Diaries
Mary Alice T reports: Checked my newly-assigned Osprey Nest this afternoon, located on Pope Avenue. Female (Lovey) was observed sitting in the nest and no sign of her mate (Thurston) in the area. 1 Photo
Mary Alice T reports: Checked on my Osprey Nest this afternoon and did not observe any activity. Have looked several times with no sign of Ospreys. This is my first year observing this nest, so I don't know their time schedule yet, but will continue to check.
Mary Alice T reports for Joanne V:
fledgling is still there! Didn't see any adults (1 photo added)
Mary Alice T reports fo4r Joanne V:
Today, 7/26/23 - When I arrived I saw 3 Osprey flying overhead around the nest. One Osprey landed in the nest and the other two flew across the street (to The Bank) and perched in another tree. The immature Osprey landed on a broken limb directly across from the female Osprey who was chowing down on a fish. They were both on opposing limbs - the immature (fledgling) saw and cried while the adult female (Mom) ate the fish. The Osprey in the nest was very vocal but couldn't tell if it was an adult or another immature. Stayed for a while to see if the Adult female would fly back to the nest, but she kept on eating and the fledgling kept looking at her, crying..
I will check in a couple of days, but the Osprey on the broken limb was definitely a fledgling (most probably a female). Could not determine what Osprey stayed in the nest. Six photos added
NOTE: Based on observations, we are assuming the nestling fledged a few days prior to this update. We are guessing about the 20th
Comment from Joanne V who is away and Mary Alice is subbing for her:
This is a tough nest to capture and you did a great job.
I have only seen the one chick, but have often seen several Osprey fly about overhead and didn’t think they all were connected to this nest. That was before the chick fledged. Think there must be another nest nearby.
I would maintain just one (evidently hungry) fledgling for this nest.
Mary Alice T reports for Joanne V:
Today, 7/15/23, When I arrived, one adult flying overhead and female sitting in tree. Female flew off and then back again and landed. Didn't see any nestlings. I stayed for about 15 minutes. Extreme heat. Watching for Joanne. 5 Photos.
Joanne V reports:
I could hear chirping from inside the nest, but the chick was low and not really visible (maybe trying to stay cooler). An adult Osprey, (not sure if it was Mama or Papa) flew onto a branch above the nest and stayed for a bit. I snapped a shot as it was leaving the tree.
I suspect the chick will be ready to fledge in the next week or so.
Joanne V reports:
Lots of chirping going on this morning. Mama is next to her chick and they both were visible together for my entire visit. I did see 2 other Osprey circling about near this tree, but neither attempted to visit the nest. I have no clue if the 2 flying above are “ related “ in any way to Mama and chick.
Joanne V reports:
I do believe this is a photo of the chick. The reddish/orange eye color also suggests this is the chick and not adult (whose eyes are more yellow). No other Osprey sighting in or around the nest. Faint chirps from this little one. Timing makes sense that the nestling is just large enough to see in the nest.
Joanne V reports:
This nest is fully in tact after the storm(s of 6-14-23). As I arrived, I saw Mama fly into the nest with a fish (wasn’t quick enough to capture that). She spent the majority of my observation eating the fish. She did not appear to share it. The first photo shows a small piece of fish in her beak. The second shows her hunger satiated.
Still no sign of a nestling, although I’m hopeful a small head will pop up in the next week or so.
Joanne V reports: Checked on this nest today. Heard some chirping (not a lot) and briefly watched as Mama (presumably) repositioned (saw just a large wing extend upwards).
Three days earlier, I did hear lots of chatter and watched as Papa brought a fish into the nest. I still believe there is at least one nestling.
Note: It is possible that hatching took place around May 20th. If so, the nestling would still be very difficult to spot.
Joanne V reports:
When I arrived I saw and heard nothing. Then I heard some chirps and in a flash, an Osprey flew out of the nest and went out the back, away from me and obstructed by the branches. Did not get a pic. I waited awhile and as I was about to leave, an Osprey with nesting material flew into the nest. Was only able to snap a photo as he/she had begun it’s decent into the nest. I don’t know if it was the same Osprey that left the nest, but probably, so possibly Papa. I also don’t know if Mama and/or a chick was deep in the nest. The saga continues.
NOTE: We are assuming that there is one chick down in the nest. We can always change that if needed.
Joanne V reports:
If you look very closely at the first photo you can see an Osprey above the pine needles to the upper right of the nest. There’s also an Osprey in the nest. I saw Papa fly into the nest with nesting material. He hung out there for a brief period and then moved to a branch (see last photos). The 2nd photo was Papa getting ready to leave the nest.
It’s unclear to me if that’s Mama in the 1st picture to the upper right. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I transferred the photos from the card that I even saw that Osprey. Wish I had known so I’d have taken different angles than I did. So I really don’t have any idea if there is a nestling or not. I can’t see into the nest. It’s a challenging location. I’ll just keep checking.
Joanne V reports:
Checked again this afternoon (between the raindrops). Nothing visible in the nest and no osprey observed in surrounding area. Don’t know if Mama is deep in the nest or if nothing much is happening. Will continue to monitor on a weekly basis.
Joanne V reports: It looks like an osprey is in the nest incubating.
Joanne V reports:
There was no activity observed today. This is another deep nest, so there would be no way to tell if Mama was low in the nest unless I can hear chirping, which I did not.
Joanne V reports: Looks like Ma might be sitting on eggs. This is the first observation where I have seen her in the nest as opposed to on a branch or when a few weeks ago, I observed mating. The timeline fits, so tentatively I would add incubation now.
Joanne V reports: When I arrived at the nesting tree, I saw Pa sitting on a branch slightly above and to the right of the nest. I could not see any movement inside the nest; it is quire deep. About 10 minutes later, Pa flew into the nest and then, I think, it was Ma that first flew out. The photo shows her with a partially eaten fish (no head). I might presume that while Pa was on the branch, Ma was in the nest feasting away. After Ma flew away from the tree, Pa followed.
As it was just last week I observed them mating, it will be at least a week before any eggs would be produced. I will check back in a week.
Joane V reports: When I arrived at the nesting tree, both ospreys were on a branch to the left of the nest. Shortly thereafter, they both went into the nest and appeared to be engaged in their mating ritual. After about 5 minutes, one osprey left and the other stayed in the nest. As I have only just begun monitoring this "new" nest, it's not known if this pair has mated before.
Joanne V reported: Joanne V reports: Was able to find a spot from which to get photos of the nest. Here are 3 different angles (not necessarily to post, but just an FYI). No sign of any Osprey in the nesting tree or in nearby trees. So I really have no clue if a pair has mated or if eggs have been laid, etc. Looks like a fairly deep nest so it may be the case that when mama is incubating, she will be tough to see. one image posted of nest
Mary Alice T reported this new nest on 3/21/23. two photos posted