Nickname
055-A-003 (The Narrows)
Coordinates
(40.5712, -75.1518)
Substrate
Electric Pylon
Description
On Delaware River across from what used to be called Indian Rock Inn, which is now called The Narrows.
Followers
None
Monitoring groups
What to look for
a
Adult Arrival
Look for 2 adults on the nest. The adult pair will show pair bonding behaviors such as vocalizations, aerial sky dances, and the male feeding the female fish. You may see the pair copulating, which typically begins 14 days before laying eggs.b
Incubation Initiation
Females will lay 1 - 4 eggs at a rate of one egg every 1 - 2 days. After laying, incubation starts. Look for adults taking turns sitting low in the nest incubating eggs. The incubation period can last 35 - 43 days.c
Clutch Hatching
Chicks hatch ~39 days after incubation begins. Look for adults bringing food to the nest and making "head bows" into the center. Chicks typically can't be seen until they are 2 - 3 weeks old, so feeding behavior is the only way to know chicks are there.d
Nestling Count
Around 4 weeks after hatching, look for the heads of chicks to show over the rim of the nest, particularly when adults bring food to the nest. Other times they lie flat and are harder to see. Count the number of chicks in the nest before they learn to flye
Fledgling Count
Chicks begin flying around 7 - 8 weeks old, and are still fed by the adults. Count the number of chicks who have successfully fledged the nest and are observed flying.f
Chick Last Observed
4 - 10 weeks after fledging, chicks begin leaving the nest area to migrate south, once they have learned to fly and feed themselves. Record the date that the last chick left the nest.x
Nest Failure
Look for signs of nest failure like adult abandonment, adults no longer incubating eggs or feeding young.Review All Observations
| 2022 - CyclistBarb | 2021 - CyclistBarb | 2020 - CyclistBarb | 2019 - DB | 2019 - CyclistBarb | 2018 - CyclistBarb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 3/28/22 | |||||
| aOccupied | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| aActive | ||||||
| bEgg Laying | 4/15/20 | |||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 4/11/22 | 4/21/20 | 4/11/22 | |||
| cClutch Hatching | 5/25/22 | 5/25/20 | 5/16/22 | |||
| dNestlings | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| eFledglings | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 7/21/20 | |||||
| fChicks Last Observed | ||||||
| xNest Failure | ||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
Activity reports
2019 Nest Activity Report by DB
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by CyclistBarb
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/21/2020 | |
| Egg laying | 04/15/2020 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/21/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/25/2020 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by CyclistBarb
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by CyclistBarb
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2018 Nest Activity Report by CyclistBarb
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/11/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/16/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by CyclistBarb
| Adult arrival | 03/28/2022 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/11/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/25/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
08/02/2022 by CyclistBarb
8:25 a.m. Two of the fledglings were standing on the nest eating something. The third fledgling wasn't there and I did not see either parent during the time I watched.
07/25/2022 by CyclistBarb
9:29 a.m. Just as I pulled over and looked in my scope I saw a fledgling fly up off the nest and disappear. While I watched, I did not see any other sign of the osprey family at the nest. I had looked from the Pennsylvania view point in The Narrows parking lot about 45 minutes before, but had not seen any of the fledglings nor the adults at that time.
07/22/2022 by CyclistBarb
7:50 a.m. Only one chick was sitting on the nest. A second was perched way out on a wire leading to the tower. These two were constantly and persistantly calling, no doubt for an expected fish delivery for breakfast. I am quite sure all three have fledged. The third sibling was off flying somewhere as were the two adults.
07/12/2022 by CyclistBarb
3:11 p.m. Apparently I missed a fish delivery by the male because Mom and three big chicks were self-feeding. The chicks are impressive and look to be ready to fledge any day now!
06/29/2022 by CyclistBarb
10:25 a.m. As I was parking at the north end of The Narrows parking lot, the female flew in. She was sitting up on the nest along with her three big chicks which were easy to see, and seemed to be calling a lot! They looked to be 4-5 weeks old at least.
06/21/2022 by CyclistBarb
10:20 a.m. The female was picking at prey on the bottom of the nest, feeding her three nestlings and eating some herself. These chicks looked pretty old! This feeding lasted the entire time I watched and was continuing when I left. More than adequate for three hungry nestlings.
06/16/2022 by CyclistBarb
3:59p.m. Mom flew off and I saw big chicks. At 4:00 I saw an adult flying west, over the river and over the restaurant. At 4:02 an adult (probably the same one I saw flying) returned to the nest with a stick and arranged the stick in the nest. 4:04 I saw a big chick wing stretch, and I could see the start of pin feathers. 4:07 the adult flies off; 4:08 an adult is back moving sticks again. I am not sure if I saw both adults or one very active one. I did not see the 3rd chick today.
06/06/2022 by CyclistBarb
11:38 a.m. The female was standing on the upstream edge of the nest. The lighting was really good and I could see movement through the nest rails which indicated that there was at least one chick. At 11:49, from the north end of the Narrows parking lot, I finally saw 2 chicks stick their heads up! They look to be quite a few weeks old--3 or even 4 weeks? Then I saw a third nestling! Such good news!
05/11/2022 by CyclistBarb
9:00 The female was sitting on the nest, low, incubating. Then I saw another adult, the male, flying over the restaurant parking lot where I was, and across the river where he landed on the nest bringing in a stick. When he landed the female stood. He didn't stay long but flew off again toward the river and she sat down low again. At 10:04 I was on the NJ side watching through my scope and saw the female stand and roll eggs.
04/23/2022 by CyclistBarb
2:35 p.m. One is sitting low, apparently incubating. I can barely see the top of its head from the NJ side.
04/04/2022 by CyclistBarb
2:26 p.m. This nest has gotten really tall and there is gobs of monofilament line hanging down from it! It is probably full of plastic. One adult which looks like the female, was standing on the nest.
07/30/2021 by CyclistBarb
1:10 p.m. From the NJ side I could see one bird on the nest. Zoomed in I saw it was one of the chicks. It was alone. I drove to Riegelsville, crossed to PA, and pulled into The Narrows parking lot. I confirmed one chick still sitting on the nest. The other has fledged. I wonder if this one has also fledged?
07/21/2021 by CyclistBarb
4:00 p.m. I didn't see either adult, but two big chicks were perched in the nest, side by side, just watching. They weren't calling so apparently were well fed recently. I did not stay very long.
07/04/2021 by CyclistBarb
11:25 a.m. I saw only one bird when I first pulled in. It was sitting back and down so not very visible. Then I heard calls and the female (I believe) stood up and I saw 2 chicks! At 11:30 the adult flew off. The two chicks ducked down and were almost invisible from The Narrows parking lot. The female did not stay away long but landed back at the nest at 11:31. She was gone less than a minute. I did not see any prey in talons, but both chicks stood up and took notice when she returned and one then seemed to be self-feeding or at least picking at something in the nest.
04/23/2021 by CyclistBarb
2:10 p.m. One adult was sitting high on the nest. This adult wasn't in the incubation position. It flew off as I watched. I did not stay long nor go to the PA side. The light wasn't perfect for photos.
08/05/2020 by CyclistBarb
12:30 p.m. From the Riegelsville-Milford Rd I can see that this nest is intact and hasn't been blown down. I don't see any of the fledglings or parents at the nest, but it is quite far away from this view. I will not go over to the PA side. I am doing very quick checks of as many nests as I can after yesterday's tropical storm Isaias. The severely high winds took down many trees and could have blown exposed nests and chicks down.
In any case, I assume fledglings that are experienced fliers, would have been able to find shelter and protection from the high winds. These chicks have been fledged for about two weeks and were strong fliers.
07/24/2020 by CyclistBarb
11:45 a.m. When I arrived I saw only one chick on the nest and one adult, probably the female. These chicks are too big to "hide" in the nest, so the other two have fledged. I heard a lot of different vocals coming from the trees along the river and the area east of the tower as well as from the chick on the nest.
Before I could set up my camera, the third chick flew off the nest leaving Mom perched alone on the nest tower. I will estimate the first fledge took place on 7/21 since that is about half-way between today and 7/19 when I saw all three chicks wing flapping on the nest. I expect this third chick has also flown before as it just took off without any big wing-flapping preamble! It was well fed so must have eaten recently as it sported a large crop!
07/19/2020 by CyclistBarb
12:10pm I parked at the north end of the restaurant parking lot as they were open today, Sunday, for brunch outside. I confirmed that the three chicks were perched on the north side of their nest side by side looking toward the north! They will be fledging soon. I watched for about 20 minutes, but nothing much was happening. All seemed normal. Then I noticed two birds perched on an electric tower in the background, on the field near where the Phillips Farm nest platform stands. Through my scope and with camera zoomed in, I saw that it was two adults, mating! There is no way to know if it is the pair from this nest, or the Phillips nest!
07/09/2020 by CyclistBarb
6:00 p.m. I looked at this nest through my scope from the Phillips Farm fields. It is further away than when I watch from The Narrows restaurant parking lot, but because it is late, and the lighting is much better looking toward the west, I decided not to cross the river. It appeared not much was happening. A parent and the 3 chicks were sitting on the nest and not being very active. I did not watch for long.
06/30/2020 by CyclistBarb
1:30 p.m. The entire time I watched, a light rain was falling. When I observed almost two weeks ago, I only saw 2 chicks and hoped that nothing had happened to the third. Today, when I first arrived, I saw the adult and two large chicks...then, I was happy to see the third sit up tall. It had been lying down in the rain. These eyases look to be 5-6 weeks old. I saw some pretty vigorous wing flapping by first one (while the siblings watched), then a second!
06/18/2020 by CyclistBarb
3:30p.m. The restaurant, The Narrows, is now allowed to open for outdoor dining. They have set up in the parking lot making it more difficult to park and set up my scope! The growing foliage further complicates the observation. I was able to move to the north end of the parking lot. The male was in his usual spot on the northwest corner. The female was on the nest, apparently feeding the chicks. The chicks were also self feeding and the photo shows one pulling a long string of prey with its beak. I only saw two though. I hope nothing happened to the third that I saw 2 weeks ago.
06/16/2020 by CyclistBarb
6:00 p.m. By the time I got to the nest, the light was very poor. The male was perched on the northwest corner of the tower eating. The female was sitting near the nest bole. I only saw one chick, as I expect they had been fed and were now lying down. I did not stay long and will return soon.
06/04/2020 by CyclistBarb
1:15 p.m. Dad flies to his favorite perch on the tower struts next to the nest while Mom continues to feed the three who appear to be about a week to a week and a half old.
06/04/2020 by CyclistBarb
1:00 p.m. The male flies in with prey. Both start feeding and soon I spot 3 eyases!
06/04/2020 by CyclistBarb
12:50 p.m. One adult, presumably the female, was sitting up high on the nest. It was a warm day and I assume there are eyases in the nest.
05/21/2020 by CyclistBarb
11:20a.m. The female stood and appeared to roll the eggs. The male was still perched on the tower next to the nest.
05/21/2020 by CyclistBarb
12:30 p.m. After observing two other nests, I looked again at this nest from the Phillips farm road, on the NJ side and could see the female was still sitting down in the nest.
05/21/2020 by CyclistBarb
10:55 a.m. One adult (the male I assume), was perched on the tower; the female was on the eggs. Neither was active during the 30 minutes I watched.
05/09/2020 by CyclistBarb
9:35 a.m. I park in the Narrows parking lot, set up my scope and camera and can only see the tail of the incubating adult on the nest. As I continue to watch, nothing much happens. Occasionally the incubating adult lifts its head. I never do see the mate. I left at 9:50.
04/22/2020 by CyclistBarb
Egg laying must have taken place after April 12 and prior to April 22 when incubation was observed.
04/22/2020 by CyclistBarb
9:35 a.m. One adult is sitting on the nest incubating. The mate is perched next to the nest on the tower strut.
9:38 a.m. The perched adult flies off and I lose site if it after it soars over the river and heads then toward land on the NJ side. I am watching from PA.
04/12/2020 by CyclistBarb
11:00-11:30 a.m. When I arrive (parking at the Narrows restaurant on the PA side), the pair is on the nest. The male is left, on the tower struts. The female is right, toward the east side of the tower, on the nest.
11:21 a.m. The male flies off over the river to a large tree near where I am parked, breaks off a branch, carries it back to the nest and places it in the nest.
11:25 a.m The male mounts the female in copulation.
08/08/2019 by CyclistBarb
11:51 a.m. I drove south to the Milford bridge crossing into PA, then took route 32 north again and parked at The Narrows restaurant across from the nest. I got a photo of the chick sitting on the nest, and calling persistently.
08/08/2019 by CyclistBarb
11:30 a.m. I drove to the vantage point on route 647 where the nest was visible. I saw and photographed only one chick on the nest. The light was quite good even though the nest is far away. I then drove into the farm field, but couldn't get a much-better photo. I then drove down the gravel lane to the Phillips farm house (where I was told the father lived), but the gate across the tracks was closed. I turned around and headed back up the lane toward route 647. I did get photos of nest #2930, "Holland Township" from the south perspective, with its one chick perched and the adult perched on the high tension tower nearby.
08/06/2019 by CyclistBarb
From the Rieglesville-Millford Rd, route 627, you can see the nest. It is quite far away. The photo of the nest and tower was taken with my 40x zoom camera. I could see only 2 of the chicks.
08/06/2019 by CyclistBarb
At 1:00 p.m., now on the NJ side, I drove into the farm field to get closer to the nest. I could see two of the three fledglings. I then followed a farm worker down the driveway toward the river. The gate on the other side of the tracks was open. I viewed the nest from very close up, from beside the farm equipment shed. It was too close to see both chicks, but the one on that side was a good close-up.
08/06/2019 by CyclistBarb
At around noon I arrived at the observation post on the PA side of the river in the parking lot of The Narrows restaurant. I set up my spotting scope, but could see nothing in the nest.
I watched for awhile then left figuring the fledglings were off flying around.
07/29/2019 by CyclistBarb
Photos from 7/29 show all three in the nest; A fledgling that flew off then returned to perch on the metal strut; The nest with a second fledgling missing having flown off; A close up from very close on the NJ side (it is impossible to see into the nest from this point).
07/29/2019 by CyclistBarb
Three healthy fledglings were observed sitting on, flying off and back to the nest. They all were vocalizing continuously, loud enough to be heard on the PA side in the parking lot of The Narrows Inn. First fledge occurred sometime between 6/16 and 7/29, and I would guess at least a week ago (mid July?).
06/16/2019 by CyclistBarb
First photo shows 3 beaks! Three chicks were observed with adult on the nest. This is the first time I saw this nest. Observed from the PA side, parking lot for "The Narrows" restaurant, through spotting scope and 40x zoom camera.