Nickname
Pratt St. platform
Coordinates
(36.7831, -76.3015)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
In restored Kinder Morgan Elizabeth River Terminals marsh on the southern branch of the Elizabeth River
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2019 - Dave Gibson2018 - Dave Gibson2017 - Dave Gibson2014 - LibbyM
aAdult Arrival3/5/19
aOccupiedYesYesYesYes
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation3/30/14
cClutch Hatching5/8/14
dNestlings22
eFledglings1
eFirst Chick Fledging7/15/17
fChicks Last Observed10/15/17
xNest Failure3/25/19
xReason For Nest Failurenest destroyed by human

Select Seasons

Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2019 2018 2017 2014

Activity reports

2014 Nest Activity Report by LibbyM
Adult arrivalNestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation03/30/2014Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/08/2014Reason for nest failure
2017 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrivalNestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings1
Nest Active First chick fledging07/15/2017
Egg layingChicks last observed10/15/2017
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2018 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2019 Nest Activity Report by Dave Gibson
Adult arrival03/05/2019Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure03/25/2019
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failurenest destroyed by human

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

03/26/2019 by Dave Gibson
The pair is still around, but their nest is no more. I'd notified Buckeye Partners that the Ospreys had built a nest on the boom, and the co. apparently took action to remove the nest.

03/24/2019 by Dave Gibson
I stood in the marsh and observed activity here for a while. The pair has built a nest on the boom (or crane). This is an active crane, so this could be a problem. It's significant that BOTH SEXES brought material to the nest.

03/16/2019 by Dave Gibson
Observed the pair building a nest either on the boom or on the platform below.

03/09/2019 by Dave Gibson
Observed nothing on my arrival. Then, out of the blue, 2 Ospreys appeared and seemed agitated at my presence. One circled several times and vocalized. Then they disappeared as soon as they'd arrived.

03/03/2019 by Dave Gibson
Single Osprey observed near the platform today. It was perched on the boom on the structure in the river there. I'm hoping that it will soon set up housekeeping!

06/02/2018 by Dave Gibson
Nest still empty. There were 4 Ospreys in vicinity this am. Two were close by and vocal on structure in water (perhaps this pair had built the nest on the platform), one was on nest across river, and one was a flyover.

05/26/2018 by Dave Gibson
Nothing going on here. When I arrived a crow was the single occupant. Several Ospreys were in vicinity, however. A nest failure? Please see last two photos.

05/20/2018 by Dave Gibson
I'm not sure what's going on here. When I arrived in pm, two Ospreys were on the platform. There was a fair amount of vocalizing. I took some photos. One Osprey eventually took off (a female?) and headed right over me. Please see photo. Do I consider this a failed nest or what? It now appears to be nothing more than a nesting platform with misc. nesting material on it (including what looks like a recently added piece of chain link fence). And it appears to be nothing more than a perch.

05/17/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in am. Several Ospreys around, but none were on on the nest. Nest is not in use except as a perch. I'm not sure what happened here. Certainly forget about what I wrote on on 4/18.

04/29/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed early am. Actually not so sure female is incubating. Seems doubtful to me. The pair spent much time away from the nest, and nest is still small.

04/18/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited for 1 1/2 hrs. this am. Female was hunkered down the whole time. Male visited often. There's no doubt she's incubating.

04/17/2018 by Dave Gibson
Two associated with the nest, and 3 others in very close proximity. Some interaction. Observed second pair copulate not far from nesting platform. Nest building continues. No sign of incubating.

04/16/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed pair on and around nest. More copulation behavior?

04/14/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed this am. Both Ospreys on and around nest. Observed copulation. Also observed interactions between this pair and 2 other Ospreys that flew close to nest nest.

04/13/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. Nest may be a bit bigger. Female on nest when I arrived. She later signaled the arrival of the male. Observed copulation(?). (It was brief--but always is.)

04/10/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in pm. No Ospreys anywhere. Nest empty.

04/08/2018 by Dave Gibson
Observed 6 Ospreys around nest this am. One stayed in the nest most of the time, and another visited regularly but never landed. Not sure why. And each time it appeared to land, the female(?) fought it off. Nest is only slightly bigger. No sign of incubating.

03/24/2018 by Dave Gibson
Both Ospreys on nest for a time. Observed copulation? Nest has gotten bigger, but not by much. Much work to do!

03/19/2018 by Dave Gibson
Two Ospreys on nesting platform. Nest occupied! They didn't seem too concerned about my presence.

03/11/2018 by Dave Gibson
A magical moment. I no sooner had exited my truck just before dawn @ 7:15 am when an Osprey showed up out of nowhere and alighted on the nesting platform. It stayed only moments, then bolted with a purpose. First sighting of the year. Sometimes timing is everything. I hadn't seen it prior to this, and didn't see it again during my visit.

03/08/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited at 2:00 pm. No Osprey. Ospreys have shown up nearby, but none have shown up here so far. Also checked out a platform I just discovered on the Kinder Morgan Elizabeth River Terminals property. No sign of Ospreys there either.

03/03/2018 by Dave Gibson
Visited in am. Tail end of major East.Coast nor'easter. Some winds over 30 mph. No sign of anything yet.

11/03/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed an Osprey this am hunting in general area and close to platform. Probably a visitor. That was my guess. But who knows. May have been our juv.

10/15/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed an Osprey not far upriver in early am. It may have been our imm. But who knows.

10/07/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed an Osprey hunting in the area around 8:00 am. It was in all likelihood our imm.

10/04/2017 by Dave Gibson
This am observed an Osprey hunting across the river in St. Juliens Creek. Our imm.?

10/01/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. No sign of Osprey at this location.

09/29/2017 by Dave Gibson
The juv. (imm. at this point?) may still be around. Observed one this a.m. flying low over marsh..

09/24/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited early am. I was wrong. Juv. Osprey is still here. It was perched on one of family's favorite perches (not far from platform). It hunted over the river as well.

09/23/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited for around 2 hours early am. No sign whatsoever of Osprey. Banner morning bird-wise, but no Osprey. It would appear the juvenile has migrated.

09/20/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited late morning. Unusually high tide. Observed 1 Osprey hunting close to shore just north of me and on the other side of the river. Possibly the juvenile.

09/09/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited early am for 2 hours. Much bird activity to include 5 heron species, but only saw one Osprey.

09/02/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed this am. I saw 2 Osprey while there. Presumably the male parent and juv. One of them oh so skillfully picked up a small fish from the water's surface. It was a sight to behold. Also, one of them briefly tussled with an adult Bald Eagle that entered its territory. The Bald Eagle dwarfed the Osprey, but the Osprey succeeded in chasing the eagle away.

08/27/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited at dusk. Observed 3 Osprey. One caught a fish at sunset (7:40 pm) They were active and actively hunting even after sunset.

08/27/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. The juvenile was on the platform, then flew to a nearby perch in the river. An hour or so later it became excited as the male parent approached and landed nearby. Both then flew to the platform and the parent delivered a fish. (The male appeared smaller than the juv. Perhaps the juv. is a female?) The juv. then vocalized for perhaps 10 minutes straight, with its wings held partly up (to protect the prey?). It didn't eat. The parent then left, the juv. stopped vocalizing, and it proceeded to eat the fish. I'd never seen this behavior before (needless to say), and was surprised that the juv., about 6 weeks into the fledgling period, is still partly dependent on a parent for food. I also couldn't help but wonder if the female parent had migrated. It probably has.

08/23/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed this am. The family of 3 is still here. When I arrived, 1 was on the platform perch. While I was there, two perched side by side for some time and vocalized much of the time. Interesting vocalizations that I was able to record.

08/19/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited twice today. In the am, the juv. was on the platform perch the whole time. This evening I observed 3 birds (the family?). For awhile 2 of them perched near one another and vocalized.

08/17/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. I believe the family is still around. Two of the 4 Osprey I observed, with a 3rd nearby, perched close to each other for a long time and vocalized continually.

08/12/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited before sunset. Observed 2 Osprey. One I'm sure was the juv.

08/05/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited from about 5-6 pm. Observed 2 Ospreys hunting over river. For a time they hunted in fairly close proximity. They seemed to be together. Heard vocalizations from time to time.

08/04/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. Observed 1 Osprey while there.

07/30/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited early am. Observed 1 Osprey on the nest. Assumed it was the juv. Later, both this bird and another Osprey (parent?) hunted together in close proximity--and with some vocalizing--over the river. No sign of 3rd family member. Before I left, one of the Ospreys chased off an adult Bald Eagle.

07/25/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited late morning with my wife. The family of three was around. Shortly before we left, all were soaring at different altitudes above the river--and drifting south. We wondered aloud if they were migrating. Then as we left, we looked at the platform. And for the first time since the youngster fledged, the platform was occupied. One of the three was on the platform perch. My guess? The family will be around a little longer.

07/23/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this am. All 3 around, and as has been the case, all were in close proximity to one another. Female buzzed me when I arrived. A huge ship (Strategic Venture--a cargo ship sailing under the flag of Singapore) came through at one point, and one of the Osprey (the male?) flew over to it, flew alongside, landed, and briefly hitched a ride. Juv. begged for food from time to time. Still odd to see the nest 'abandoned' and out of use.

07/22/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited early this morning. All 3 around. The female, still in defense mode, buzzed me three times with talons down. Observed the juv. hunt in front of me and over the marsh. It was unsuccessful. It sat on the rock berm for awhile, then flew up to where the female(?) was perched, where it proceeded to beg for food (high pitched screams).

07/19/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited this morning. All 3 were around, and some were hunting (and catching their quarries). Even though the juvenile had fledged a few days ago and wasn't close by, the female calling, and with talons out, still buzzed me anyway.

07/16/2017 by Dave Gibson
Stopped by this am. Same situation. All 3 were away from the nest. The juv. was atop a nearby pole the whole time. One of the adults--probably the female--buzzed me once or twice, still protective of its offspring as if it were still in the nest. I still can't believe that it was just yesterday that I saw the juv. hover above the nest for the first time. And now it has flown.

07/15/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed again from 5:45-7 pm. None of the Ospreys was in the nest. Presumably, the juvenile had fledged during the day. All 3 Ospreys were perched in the vicinity of the nest. The juv. has entered a new stage!

07/15/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed from 7:45 -8:45 am. Female on perch. Juv in nest. Male visited and then perched nearby. While I was there, the juv. wasn't active. Then, as I got back to my truck I turned around for one last look. This is the first time I've observed this. The juv. went to the edge of the platform, vigorously flapped its wings, and then briefly went airborne above the nest. A special moment. A very special moment.

07/14/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited from 8:15-10:15 am. When I arrived the juv. was standing in the nest and flapping its wings. A good sign. As soon as I got past the gate, the female began to call, then left the nest, flew to where I was, and wheeled above me with her talons down and open. She'd never done this before (traveled that far). She clearly didn't want me around. She did this 3 times as I walked to my usual spot to observe the nest. She'd fly above me, return to the nest, reapproach etc. She then returned to the nest and settled down. The juv. hunkered down, and only stood once while I was there. The male showed up once or twice. Several times while I was there, the female appeared to hunt over the marsh. She hovered with talons down. She never dove. I couldn't help but wonder if she were showing the youngster how to hunt. Several times another Osprey or a crow approached. The female let out a guard call(?) each time.

07/09/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited from 6:30-7:30 pm. Usual alarm calls. Unlike what I've observed in the mornings, the juv. was standing upright in the nest and was visible almost the whole time I was there. No wing action, though. The marsh was much quieter (bird activity, insect activity etc.) than it is in the am. No sign of male.

07/07/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed nest from 8:15 am -9:45 am. The female buzzed me (circled overhead calling) twice while I was there. And for the first time since I started observing, she remained on the platform perch the whole time and never once visited the nest. The male came by at least once, but didn't land and stay, and didn't deliver food. Another Osprey pair came pretty close to the nest at one point. The female watched them closely and vocalized a bit. The lone chick hunkered down the whole time. I could only see the top of its head and occasionally heard it vocalize.

07/03/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited 8:15-10:30 am. The quick transformation of the 1 juvenile still amazes me. Again, no sign of second chick. The juv. in the nest hasn't exercised his/her wings really at all when I've been there. Male is around nest/on nest more often now, but never stays long. Sometimes he appears to bring a fish to the nest only to carry it away again, and then perhaps eat it at a roost nearby. I've also seen him do this with a headless fish.

07/02/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited 8:30-9:30 am. Saw both male & female adults, but only observed 1 chick. It appears now that there's only one chick in the nest.

07/01/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed from 9:30-10;30 am. Female left the nest again as on 6/24, and circled over me with talons down. She then returned to nest. Male showed up a while later with a fish. Observed 1 juv., but hope both are there. Juvs. should fledge soon.

06/24/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed from 9:30-11:30 am. Shortly after I arrived, female left the nest and circled above me for about 5 minutes. I was apprehensive. She'd never done that before. Male visited nest several times but stayed only briefly. Saw 1 chick. Heard chick(s) vocalize. Female vocalized a lot. Heard various calls. Female still brooding.

06/09/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed for a while this am. Female was on nest. No sign of the male near nest. May have seen him at a distance. The chicks are vocalizing and beginning to sound like the adults. When I first heard the chirping this am, I thought it was the female. It was one of the chicks.

06/03/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed for an hour or so in the morning. Chicks becoming more visible. Shortly before I left the area, an adult Cooper's Hawk flew by. The female vacated the nest, gave chase, then returned.

06/01/2017 by Dave Gibson
Visited 8:15-9:30 a.m. The 2 chicks are more visible, and the female spent most of her time on the nest rim. An intruder buzzed the nest and was eventually escorted away by the nesting male. Boy did the female defend her nest, as can be seen in the photos (please see photos # 4-9). It's my understanding that the intruder could have been the male from nest #6811 (failed nest) or a late-arriving first-time breeder looking for a nest site.

05/29/2017 by Dave Gibson
Observed nest for 2 hours (8:30 am -10:30 am). Female was on nest, then stood up. I then observed 2 brownish and featureless nestlings (could only see heads). Male arrived but stayed only minutes and brought no food. It appears I was wrong. Female has been brooding, not incubating. I'm guessing eggs were laid 4/1 or thereabouts & hatched 5/10-5/15.

05/27/2017 by Dave Gibson
I first observed this nest on 5/17/17. It appears to me that the female is incubating as she is in the nest every time I visit. No sign of chicks yet. The male visits infrequently during the day.

06/15/2014 by LibbyM
Two chicks 5-6 weeks old. Female brooding young.