Nickname
042-B-006 (Bellman's Creek Nest)
Coordinates
(40.8328, -74.0155)
Substrate
Utility Pole
Description
the top of a Utility pole
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
| 2023 - jmac | 2022 - jmac | 2021 - jmac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 4/21/23 | 4/7/22 | |
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| aActive | |||
| bEgg Laying | 5/7/22 | ||
| bIncubation Initiation | 5/10/23 | ||
| cClutch Hatching | 6/14/23 | ||
| dNestlings | |||
| eFledglings | |||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | |||
| fChicks Last Observed | |||
| xNest Failure | 6/18/23 | 5/15/22 | |
| xReason For Nest Failure | other | other |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021
Activity reports
2021 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/07/2022 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | 05/07/2022 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | 05/15/2022 | |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure | I think the harassing of eagles that nest nearby was a factor |
Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/21/2023 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 05/10/2023 | Nest failure | 06/18/2023 |
| Clutch hatching | 06/14/2023 | Reason for nest failure | not sure but this nest was constantly attacked by two other Ospreys |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
06/09/2023 by jmac
Still incubating. The nest has survived some very windy weather so that's encouraging.
05/29/2023 by jmac
Interesting day today. This morning while I observed , one bird got off the nest while the other sat down to incubate. Usually just the female incubates.
Then later in the afternoon, I noticed to Osprey on the next tower and thought they may have gotten off the nest. When one of the birds flew to the nest, it was repelled by a bird sitting in the nest. A second bird showed up to chase the intruders. Hopefully they don't come back.
04/27/2023 by jmac
Both birds busy working on the nest. This nest has failed the last two years, possibly taken down by the power company. I am in communication with the Project Manager to either have the nest protected or for them to install a platform nearby
05/16/2022 by jmac
The pair has abandoned the nest. I'm not sure why, but bald eagles nesting a quarter mile away have been harassing them.
05/15/2022 by jmac
Osprey next to the nest today, then I lost sight of it. I couldn't see an incubating bird on the nest but it could have been there.. Heavy winds forcast for tomorrow which isn't good for this nest that has a history of blowing down
05/08/2022 by jmac
female is incubating today. It still is very windy, but hopefully the nest is big enough now to withstand the gusts.
05/02/2022 by jmac
The nest is back and being built quickly. I don't know if this nest is able to withstand the winds up on this tower. The birds are persistent, constantly rebuilding and fighting off eagles that nest nearby. Today both birds gathering sticks and copulating.
04/26/2022 by jmac
Osprey on the nest. I hope it doesn't get taken down. Will contact the powers that be to try to protect it
04/21/2022 by jmac
The nest is completely gone. I don't know if the power company removed it or if it blew away. I suspect the power company because there isn't a stick left. I'm surprised that I don't see the birds rebuilding since they are usually persistent. I'll keep watching
06/23/2021 by jmac
This is probably a "practice" nest. Both adults are bringing branches and sticks to the nest this afternoon. The pair has been present for quite a while now.