Nesting Diaries
Was lucky enough to have to exit the work building around 11 am today due to a fire drill and when I looked up at the nest platform, I saw one of the osprey hanging out up there.
While taking photographs from across the street today to get a better angle I discovered that one of the nestlings has died - still in the nest, but hanging off the side. Very sad.
Finally got to see the two babies in the nest yesterday thanks to finally good weather and remembering to have my camera with me. They are already fighting like most siblings do (see photo).
Definitely on eggs. I saw the switch today
There have been a pair constantly at this nest for a month now. I have not been able to get photos due to the height of the pole, but they appear to be doing okay, despite the windy days lately
One fledged for sure, around May some time. I was not able to observe as well this year due to not being at the office very often.
not sure where prior posts went - today I observed feeding behavior but still can't see how many there are
Adult seen again on the platform today (I've been out of town since the last sighting I posted in mid-December).
Saw an adult on the nest plaform today
I watched the parents feeding the hatchling(s)? today. I am not sure yet how many there are, because the heads are not visible so high up, but definitely feeding
Whilst I'm excited that the platform nest is easier for the ospreys to keep it together, it's not so easy to see what's going on now. I do know for sure that they have been incubating for just over a week now. They certainly get some good food, too.
I have confirmed that my pair have decided to use the platform instead of the light pole this year. A new pair showed up last year very near 1170 and tried to build on a scary looking electrical pole. I worked to get a platform put up instead, but the nest had already failed very early in the season. That pair never came back after their nest failed, but 1170 pair remained and successfully bred their three fledglings on their usual nest. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the 1170 pair moved to the platform instead and they're getting busy with nest-building.
I think one of the adults stuck around all year, but the first time I saw two of them back again in their trees near the nest was January 6th 2014.
8/8/2013 - the female youngster is still seen daily on the nest pole. She's extremely vocal. I think the other siblings are still around in the trees by the lake. They like to hear their echoes across when they call.
Still hanging around the vicinity of the nest today
As of yesterday, the three young and adults are still hanging around the nest. In the trees in the surrounding area
At 9.30 am today all three of the young were on separate light poles in the parking lot of their nest (only one was on the nest pole). At 11.00am they were all back on the nest. At 4.45 they were all on the nest again.
Got some great photos of them all today (see latest photos posted). Lots of flapping of wings
Got back from outta town and have great relief knowing that the whole family survived the tropical storm last week! It won't be long now before the fledging occurs
Wow, those three young ones are getting really big and are so pretty. Photos uploaded today too.
Sorry I was sick for two weeks and missed the hatching. Today I was extremely excited to see THREE young in the nest! (pics uploaded)
I hope the parents cover up the chick really well - that weather out there is nasty right now (thunder lightning and lots of heavy rain)
04/30/2013 I finally saw an adult in the nest obviously feeding a chick. I couldn't see the chick's head yet so it must have only hatched very recently
Nest is getting even bigger and I think they may be incubating (sitting really low on nest as of 2/28/2013)
The nest is definitely growing in size. Picture attached from today
Where there was nothing left from last years' nest a few days ago, now I see more and more nest material showing up regularly (photos' uploaded today)
Correction - the other nest is #1560 (sorry for typing error). I am monitoring both.
02/05/2013 - The pair was seen today on the light pole where their nest was last year. Coincidentally I didn't see any birds on nest #1156 so I am still unsure if its the same pair moving around or not
There isn't even one twig left on the light pole after all the wind and rain we've had this year. I hope they return again next season.
The young Osprey is still using his nest daily, for eating, and resting. He has to be one of the loudest young ones I've encountered.
6/20/2012. I saw one of the young birds flapping its wings today, finally! I haven't seen two young birds at the same time in a couple of weeks now, so I am not sure if there are still two. Photo of wing flapping uploaded today too.
5/24/2012. I left work late just as the wind was kicking up and the thunder storm started. Twigs were flying off the nest left and right, and I could see the chicks hunkered down. Parents were nowhere to be seen. I stayed until one adult returned, so I could sleep easier that night.
I first noticed the pair hanging out together in the trees next to the parking lot at the end of January/beginning of February 2012. One of them eats food on the same branch in the same tree day after day around 4 or 5pm. They actually started a nest on another light pole in same lot before deciding on this one. They picked a great spot!
I was unable to see any activity on this nest after the first few days of feeding that I observed and I never saw any baby fledge or hanging out afterwards. The nest is too high up on the pole that was installed by Duke Energy so unable to see up close as before when they were on the light pole instead.