Nesting Diaries
Very sad to say that our nest ended by an attack from an Eagle. I had just watched the Dad feeding the chick. In the next minute or so, saw the Eagle swoop in. Parents lifted off the nest when the Eagle flew over and left the chick unattended.
An Eagle was observed attacking the nest by Dorothy.
We went over and found pieces of the nest on the ground below. Ever since that occurrence, the parents have not been staying at the nest. No signs of life in the nest.
I have been watching everyday and Harriet continues her nesting vigil. Ozzie brings fish and sits on the eggs while Harriet takes a break and fly around to exercise her wings. Yesterday we had a torrential downpour & everything seems fine.
The pair have arrived and courting has begun.
By all calculations eggs should be hatching. I’ll keep close watch. Both parents are busy as they keep watch over their nest.
Today is just a gorgeous sunny morning and Ozzie has been bringing sticks and moss to refurbish the nest. Harriet is a great Mom, sitting proudly on her eggs. The only time she leaves is when Ozzie swoops in takes over sitting on the eggs. Life is Good!
It’s a beautiful sunny day. For the past week Ozzie has been adding the last touches to the nest and making it perfect for Harriet to lay her precious eggs. As I watch the nest Harriet seems to be laying flat back in the nest, indicating we may have an egg. I will keep watch.
Merry Christmas from Harriet & Ozzie. It is a glorious day and our pair are eating fish, soaring and enjoying the sunshine.
The courtship is underway! Harriet sits in nest and calls for Ozzie. Ozzie came as soon as beckoned, and so did an intruder. Ozzie skillfully escorted him out of the
area. So exciting!
Hallelujah! Let the nesting season begin. Renovation activity has started around our box nest. Nesting material is being carried around and tucked in the nest. When fishing, the loud announcement is made of a big catch. Here’s hoping for a very productive “nest”.
It is with heavy heart I must report that our nest has failed. The parents have stopped coming to the nest.
With the increased activity in the nest, believe we have a hatchling. Both parents sit on the edge of the nest and peer in. Since we don’t have a camera we can only guess how many have hatched. Glad things are moving forward. Soon we will see little heads and hear their little peeps.
It has been a windy blustery day here at the Inlet. I have watching the nest and have not seen activity. Finally while watching I saw the top of Harriet’s head pop up. She is “flat back” in the nest. Now Ozzie’s main responsibility is feeding Harriet, giving her a break from the nest and being the nervous “Dad”. So, we have a 34 to 40 day incubation period. The clock is ticking. Fingers crossed!
This is the 7th season for our nest. The royal couple arrived 10/15/2017. They soared, fished and would be at the nest at dawn and leave usually before sunset. Ozzie has been a busy. He has been remodeling their little platform box feverishly. Mating has been ongoing for the past week or so. Today they are showing a different behavior. They are hunkered down in the nest and cooing.
I am closing out the 2018 nesting year. All three chicks are off and beginning new chapters of their lives. For a while they would all gather at the nest for a short period. Now only one stops by and quickly flys off. Until, next nesting season........
As day broke this morning, the nest was empty. All chicks were flying. The youngest normally would liftoff but would immediately sit back down. But today is different, chick #3 has had a very successful solo flight. So proud!
As day broke this morning, the nest was empty. All chicks were flying. The youngest normally would liftoff but would immediately sit back down. But today is different, chick #3 has had a very successful solo flight. So proud!
Chick #2 is fledging and having a ball. Mom watches from a tree top post. Chick #3 still sits in the nest and flaps his wings. Will soon lift off for his first solo. This is just a blessing that our dynamic duo has done such a great job with these chicks!
Thanks to our Condo photographer Pablo Gonzalez he captured the first fledging of chick #1. The pictures are
taken with Harriet (Mom) flying with a catch in her talons. Then another picture is of Ozzie (Dad) carrying new twigs to the nest. Won’t be long till all three are moving on. ❤️❤️❤️
Just can’t be more proud of Ozzie & Harriet. The three chicks are growing and flourishing. This morning all three are exercising their wings. What a joy to watch this great couple caring for and loving their chicks.
My first observation was correct there are 3 chicks. Ozzie2 & Harriet are such devoted parents. We took pictures yesterday and will download them soon. We are definitely blessed.
When I first observed chicks thought I had seen 3 little ones. But today watching Harriet feed, I believe we have two extremely active and healthy. They are stretching their wings and gulping down the fresh fish that Mom is serving. Ozzie has been reinforcing the nest from time to time as the chicks grow. Fingers crossed that we keep moving forward.
Harriet is sitting flatback in the nest. Hooray! We have eggs. Although we cannot visualize them, the fact that Harriet only leaves the nest when Ozzie2, comes to take over the vigil. He provides beautiful fish to her and monitors the area for intruders. We are blessed.
Our pair continue to refurbish the nest and work on fertilizing the precious eggs. Hopefully we will see signs of eggs in the nest. I will be posting pictures soon.
It’s a beautiful crisp sunny day. As we are ushering out 2017, our pair are busily tucking moss inside the nest in preparation for eggs. From our nest to yours, Happy New Year and may 2018 bring healthy happy hatchlings.
There has been quite a bit of activity around our nesting platform this past week. A young Bald Eagle got into an altercation with our pair. He was driven off. And, yesterday he decided to try again but was once again driven off. Today there has been a lot of cooing
and sweet Osprey talk. Both birds have sat on the side of the nesting box off and on most of the day. So exciting!
In the past few weeks we have noticed a single Osprey sitting intermittently on our nest. Today two Ospreys are sitting together. There is also new building material noted.
It is with heavy heart that I must report that something has happened to our young chicks. Two days ago storms producing heavy winds and severe downpours may be the reason our nest has failed. Yesterday I was watching the nest as the parents came back a few times and peered in to the apparent empty nest. One adult has come this morning but left immediately. I will continue to observe but I'm not hopeful.
Since 3/17/17, we have suspected that our chicks had hatched. This morning I was able to see several little heads. We will try to take some zoom pictures to verify exactly how many hatchlings we have. What a joyous time of the year!
Still waiting for an egg to hatch. Should be any time now. Harriet is nestled down in the nest. Ozzie brings fish and they enjoy the treat. Harriet also gets well deserved breaks.
Today is the first day that Harriet has been sitting flat backed in the nest. Ozzie has been tucking twigs & moss gently around her and just brought a huge fish for dinner. They are sharing a yummy dinner as the sun is going to be setting over the Indian River Lagoon.
Let the "baby" drama begin!!!!
Merry Christmas to all. Harriet & Ozzie are certainly enjoying the holiday. Mating has begun and Ozzie bringing fish and the two have chirping and soaring all day. It is a beautiful sunny day with light breezes out of the east and temp is 81.
After many days of excercising their wings, and lifting up both chicks are fledging. Such an exciting day.
Our two chicks are growing & flourishing. Parents are busily caring for them and it is wonderful to watch
This year it appears that Harriet & Ozzie are more mature and there is much less drama.
Two new photos added today. Thank you Cathy Dunigan & Pieter Vanmaaren
Cathy D. Thank you for your pictures of our nest!!
Kudos to Pablo G. For the new photos of our Osprey family. We have two chicks!
It has been confirmed today that two chicks are in the nest. Hopefully we get some pictures soon.
Believe there is another hatchling as Inwatch this morning. Setting up spotting scope to confirm. Our little family is growing.
This morning we noticed a different behavior. Both parents peering into the nest and little beak was popped up. What a joyous day!
I have been away bit my observers have reported that Harriet has been sitting flat back down in the nest since 2/14/16. Thus, we have "eggs". Ozzie has been bringing fish to Harriet and dutifully relieving her when necessary.
Harriet & Ozzie have been working on the nest non stop. Just as they are working on the contents to be put in that nest. They are a very loving couple. I suspect the time is drawing near for egg laying to begin.
Our Osprey pair have been seen mating today!!! How exciting.
Nest activity has started! Twigs are being placed very carefully. Harriet has been keeping a watchful eye on the nest for weeks. Let the 2015 nesting season begin!!
Our nest has been empty for the last 24 hrs. Hopefully our chick has grown up and out on his own.
Our chick has definitely mastered flying. Mom & chick were in the nest this morning, Mom left, then chick followed. She came back a bit ago with a fish. Chick was flying over the yards and having a great time. Then landed and they are enjoying. The "fresh catch"
lunch. Next lessons will be "fishing"!
Here we are after Memorial Day and our fledgling is still in the nest. He flaps vigorously, lifts up off the nest for brief periods but then settles down for a landing on the nest.
Harriet is still quite attentive and Ozzie has made brief
appearances now and the.
The last three photos show the remaining chick and Mom. Dad still continues to contribute fish. These pics were contributed by Cathy Dunigan. Our community is so happy that we still one of the chicks. Nature makes those decisions.
Sad news! Last evening we observed Mom, Dad and two chicks. Everything was fine. This morning only one chick was observed in the nest, I went down to check the area around and underneath the nest. No evidence of chick on the ground. There have been a pair of very irritating Osprey around for a few days. Also an immature Bald Eagle was spotted several times. Hopefully Harriet can see this chick through to fledging, also, Pablo's picture of Harriet screaming at one of the chicks made the paper.
Our Osprey family is doing quite nicely. Great team work between the parents. We see some beautiful fish brought in by Mr. Sparks. As the next pictures will show, one chick is a bit bigger than the other but I believe the smaller one will catch up. Or, the larger is the female and the smaller is the male. There is no evidence that a third chick is in the nest.
A few more pictures from our main man Pablo. Kudos to him. The chicks are growing and flourishing. Mom & Dad are working feeding and nurturing them. Some people say there are three, but pictures only see 2. Could be the little one is hiding in the background.
More photos today from Pablo. Only two chicks are visible. The other little guy must be hiding from the camera. Our whole community thanks Pablo for his great photography!
We now see 3 chicks in the nest! All look healthy and eating well.
Today I received from our contributing photographer,
Pablo Gonsales, pictures of at least two babies in the nest. The last three photos are of the nest, are the latest pictures.
Things are going well with the nest. Faint cries can be heard and at least two heads were seen at a feeding session.
Harriet and Ozzie both standing on side of nest today and looking down as if to admire their hatchling. They were chatting to each other in celebration. We did take a picture and will get posted as we can see Harriet beak to beak with a hatchling. Probably was feeding. Now she has settled down on the nest and Ozzie flew off to the lagoon possibly to fish. Will continue to observe and update as necessary. Hallelujah! Our whole community is watching and waiting.
Today's sunshine has been welcomed by our nesting family. Harriet was sitting on the nest while Ozzie 2 was fishing, when an Eagle flew into their domain. Harriet lifted off the nest and flew after the Eagle screaming. Ozzie came back and continued the pursuit. Peace has been restored to "Camelot".
This afternoon noticed that both parents lifted off the nest and again saw signs of agitation. That is when I spotted a Bald Eagle flying into their airspace. The Eagle was quickly escorted away from the nest. Harriet settled down on the eggs to continue the incubation process. These two make great parents.
While observing our two favorite Ospreys, noticed that Ozzie lifted off the nest and appeared agitated. That is when I noticed a neighbor accompanied by his Golden Retriever walking down the side walk and getting close to the "nest". He kept flying an active pattern as if to safeguard his territory until the man and his dog were out of sight.
here ye here ye!!!! Harriet is exhibiting the signs of egg laying. She is sitting flat in the nest which is a good indicator of eggs. Ozzie comes and goes bringing fish. They cuddle and tweet and all is good in paradise.
A big thank you to contributing photographer Pablo G.
For the great pictures he has named "The Mating Sequence". Hopefully we will have precious eggs soon.
Mating has been going on in earnest. Nest rebuilding continues as well. Both birds are on and off the nest continuously all day. Harriet stays for longer intervals.
Will continue to observe. Our whole community is excited!
Nest remodeling continues. This morning an Eagle swooped into the area and was quickly escorted out by both our Ospreys. They continue to sit up on the nest, do some talking but no signs of mating yet.
Hear ye, hear ye, our nesting pair are definitely back. I am observing aerial stunts and the love birds are cooing to each other in the nest.
The past several weeks has shown a single adult sitting on the nest from time to time. I have also seen some moss being taken to the nest.
For the past two days I have been watching the nest and believe now that our "baby" has moved on. We have observed him fishing and feel as he does that he is ready life on his own. Our weather has been very hot & humid and it seems that the neighboring nests are also empty as well. I want to thank everyone who has been on this journey with the Sparks family.
Life goes on as usual in the Sparks household. Harriet stays away for much longer periods. Baby leaves and we believe he has been seen returning to nest with a fish. Most of the time he just sits up there and chirps loudly.
Have been away for a week and expected to see the nest empty when I returned. Quite to my surprise, Harriet & Fledgling still are flying to and from the nest. The step father is still bringing fish and the three of them seem quite happy. The other intruders are gone. Right now we are expecting a storm and Mom & baby are in the nest.
Today I have observed Harriet and her fledgling flying, eating and conversing. There is one bird with them that just sits and watches. Not sure of his role. This is a much better day than what had been described to me.
I have received word that the chick was spotted fledging. This is great news. The rogue pair is still observed in the area. Harriet has been seen protesting their presence. Hopefully she will overcome.
Sadly I must report that our nest is in peril. A pair of larger ospreys are taking over the nest. Harriet is afraid to leave the nest and cowers over the chick as if to protect it. The screaming and squawking is very hard to listen to. I believe the only way the chick will
survive is to fledge the nest. We are seeing a case of survival of the fittest.
Harriet has been a busy Mom. Fishing, feeding and teaching the little one all the things he/she needs to know. He sits on the side of the nest and flap his wings to strengthen them for his upcoming fledge. They seem to converse all day long. Not sure what they are talking about. Every once in a while the step Dad stops by with a fish. Hopefully we have his first fledge soon.
Returned to find that Harriet has been a busy & wonderful Mom. Chick is growing and flourishing. He looks almost as big as a Mom. She has him flap his wings many times during the day, preparing him for his first fledge. I think it will be soon. Wishing Harriet a very Happy Mother's Day!
Here are some new photos compliments of Cathy Dunigan. #6 step father visiting nest. #7 Mom nuzzling chicks head.. #8 Mom sitting with our growing chick. Hopefully he fledges soon and we get a picture.
Our little chick is growing so fast. When he sits up on the edge of nest, looks almost as big as his Mom. He flaps those little wings preparing for his first fledge. We expect that first flight in a few weeks or sooner. Every eye in the community is on this nest.
Just when I think I have Harriet figured out, things change. Yesterday the male who has been hanging around came calling. After much squawking, Harriet allowed him to sit on the nest. The chick is fine and he continues to visit. Hopefully he brings a fish to contribute. Cold here today, chick is staying low in the nest.
Watching the nest activity today, Harriet would leave for longer intervals. It is just beautiful to watch their interactions by the light of the beautiful full moon.
As I have been observing the nest for the past two days, I am convinced that we only have one chick now. Not sure what has happened. Harriet has been sitting on the side of the nest chirping as if calling out to someone. Hopefully this last one makes it.
Have been watching the nest since yesterday as Harriet feeds. Only see two chicks. I will continue to observe.
Kind of a gloomy day but Harriet is busy fishing & feeding. Chicks are getting bigger, stronger & hungrier. Harriet seems to be bringing at least 4-5 fish a day approximately. There has been a male flying around and he is really upsetting her. Have had some suggestions for names from Glen & Marian. Ohm, Arc & Volta, Marconi & Hertz. I had thought Bolt & Flash were good possibilities. Any ideas! Let me know.
Harriet has been busy fishing, feeding and nurturing this group. Has been approached by other birds but has nothing to do with them. While watching her feed a few minutes ago, I have observed that the larger siblings are eating well, but push the little one back. He has gotten a bit of food but just isn't strong enough to push forward to get more. I do fear for this small one. As I had stated in the beginning she was careful to fill each mouth. Not so now.
We have triplets! Watching through the spotting scope , three little heads were excitedly eating the "fresh catch" Harriet provided. Two of the chicks appear to be a bit bigger and more mature. But, Harriet makes sure that the smaller chick is well fed.
Harriet has proved that she can fish and take care of her chicks by herself. I observed her coming back from fishing twice today. Also watched as she fed the chicks. I can't see just how many are in the nest bit I can see little heads & beaks popping up as she feeds them. What a glorious day!!!
It is with deep sadness that I must report that we have lost our beloved Ozzie. We found him on the ground as darkness was setting in. Neighbors called Indian River County Humane Society. Officer West arrived promptly and netted our injured bird. Upon examination told us that the injury to his wing was so very severe and he was not a good candidate for rehabilitation. Harriet is in the nest and appears to be looking for him. We will continue to observe.
Judging by the activity at the nest today, I believe the eggs are hatching. Both parents are standing on edge of nest and it appears that the Mother is eating pieces of egg shell. She does settle down on nest every now and then. I will post pictures soon. Kind of exciting!!!
Activity around the nest has escalated. This morning I observed both birds looking down into the nest and chirping loudly. Haven't seen any "little" heads but I think we may have a pip.
Nest watch continues.....everyone in our community are anxiously awaiting the chicks. This darling pair are so nurturing of each other and the nest. Right now Harriet is hunkered down on the nest. Some chilly winds are blowing. We are almost 30 days into the constant vigilance of the nest. Will keep everyone informed. Very exciting!
As daylight broke this morning I observed through binoculars Harriet hunkered down in the nest. Every other day they would both be sitting on the side of the nest and would leave and return and so forth. Today I truly believe we have eggs. My neighbor Dorothy agreed. Now the waiting begins! Oh joyous day!!!
As the sun rose over the Indian River Lagoon, Harriet returned to the nest. She communicates with Ozzie and he tweets back. One of the pair stays with the nest during the day.
Lots of activity around and on nest today. Both Osprey are chirping loudly. Harriet is staying for longer intervals.
Ozzie brought Harriet a nice size Sheepshead fish for lunch. She squealed with delight. He has been busy!
Temperature 81 today, but plummeting to the 30's tomorrow.
Ozzie & Harriet are welcoming in the New Year! Photo taken by Hank Albers. The couple have been staying very close to the nest.
Dec. 2012 this pair built on a utility pole and lost the nest due to an explosion. We sought help from Beverly Musser, FPL Distribution Environmental Biologist. Nest was erected 1/28/13. Pair showed interest. We named them Ozzie & Harriet Sparks due to the sparks that flew when nest explosion.
Today the pair are busily adding moss and twigs to the nest. Harriet tenderly placed moss in the nest and it appears Ozzie is building up the sides. The first photo that Insubmitted is of Ozzie defending the nest. This photo & the 2nd one is compliments of Cathy Dunigan.