Nesting Diaries
I visited this nest around 3 pm today. The nesting materials are visible but no osprey were visible on the nest or in the immediate area after 15 minutes. A young brown hawk with white underplummage and black wingtips was on a high tension power tower across the street. It watched me for a while then soared around the area beyond the power substation, over the Hudson Trail, and then west over Wilson. Perhaps the nestlings have left?
I visited this nest at 6 pm on the 4th of July, mostly to pin down its location. I was staring up at the tower when an adult left the nest and flew SSW towards Birch Swamp Brook, maintaining its altitude. The adult returned at the same height from the north. While the adult was away, I could hear calls from the nest as well as some movement. There are at least two birds, but the tower is very, very tall and obstacles at the top block any line of sight. I was able to capture some photographs of the adult's return to the nest. I also took a picture of the sub-station sign and several of the tower.
Nest is new for 2013 and active as of 4/29/13 as reported from a representative who was trying to do maint. to the tower with Pyramid Network Services LLC.