Nesting Diaries
This platform nest was destroyed or blown apart in 67 MPH straight wind storm 3/28/14 The platform is still there but I noticed that the Ospreys are starting to rebuild two poles down. I did not approach so that there was no additional stress added.
They are back and I am glad to see them. Noted Mating behavior today and continued nest building 3/9/14
Well new nesting season has started for 2013 I have seen both Ospreys in and off the nest for the past few weeks. Saw the female on a nearby lamp pole this morning. I have not seen any mating or sitting on the nest behavior.
Well we know that all 4 fledged and and were last seen in and around the nest up until the end of July. They were seen with parents honing their fishing skills on both the bay and gulf side. Since around the 2nd week of August it has been difficult to tell Who's Who with out a play list since other Osprey fledges are beginning to disperse into the area.
Well the Parents have been very busy keeping up with group. For the past 3 nights the fledges have been practicing their fishing skills, flying and complaining when 1 has food and the other doesn't. I saw all 4 with parents in locale of nest, although it seems 2 or 3 have moved over to old nest but one still favors the platform.
Its been a few days and TS Debby blew through the area. I have been able to see the Juvie's from the road up till yesterday. So I pulled in and watched and waited and waited some more. No heads popping up and no parents. I noticed that a lot of the nesting material that was hanging over the edge of the platform was missing. Panic started to set in because there is some minor construction going on around the area and the county just approved a fish hatchery to be built for the same area. Anyway I disgress, I pulled in today and what I thought was a parent turned out to be 2 of the 4 Juvie's sitting in the old nest. and 1 popped up on the platform. So I know that there are at least 3 still there.
the last few pictures I have posted are small since i only had my Kodak with me
Amazing there are 4; yes 4. It has taken many weeks and some still sy there were 5 but today I was able to capture pictures. One even fledged (picture of parent and Juvie on pole). Great Job P's!
This is year round pair that I have been following; My understanding is that they have have at least 2 other nests in the past 2 years.