Nesting Diaries
We are not sure of the date of arrival for egg laying but on June 12, we observed both parents caring for three chicks. Two appear slightly larger than the third. They can stick their heads up above the nest. We will continue observations this summer. Mike Day and Connie Malach
The female is setting on the nest. Only one chick's head observed so far, but she may be on more than one. The male lost his perching pole over the winter and is feeding in remote locations away from the nest. We would like to help replace it.
Three chicks were observed in the nest in May 2016. However, by the time we arrive 6-21-16, there was only one adult consistently in the nest and no chicks. At least three severe spring storms with winds in excess of 60 mph were recorded in Avalon during the intervening period and it is possible that is the cause of the nest failure. During the day only one adult is ussually seen at the nest. In the evening sometimes two are present. We cannot confirm that this is the pair that has raised multiple broods over more than a decade. We suspect that these birds may be adult offspring of the original pair as neither appear as thin and scruffy as the male of the longstanding pair.
The surviving, and very large, chick was observed in full flight for the first time on Aug. 4th. As of Aug. 15th, he is frequently away from the nest hunting.
Matt and Larissa surveyed the nest this morning and observed only one surviving chick. The other chick in the nest appeared to have died very recently. Yesterday, the surviving chick was observed pecking at the head of the other chick. There was no sign of the smaller 3rd chick observed a week ago.
Only two chicks (the larger pair) are now observed at the nest. It appears the smaller third chick has died and may not be in the nest. The two adults fought off an attack by another Osprey this morning that may have been after one or more of the chicks. The intruder was routed after a long skirmish with one of the adults where they locked claws and fell to the ground struggling.
Both adults present, taking turns on the nest. This is the first time three chicks have been observed with this pair. Chicks observed moving. Two standing at the edge of the nest, one mainly lying down.
This nest has been successfully used by a pair of Ospreys to raise chicks for over 20 years. In 2013 they raised only one chick, which grew to enormous size. In 2014 they successfully raised two chicks who were observed at full size with adult plumage feeding on their own in late August 2014