Osprey nest, now awaiting their return!

[elleng]

They usually make it here around St. Pat's Day, so March 17, 10 days.

(((Fingers crossed.)))

[RainCaster]

1. It's so much fun watching them add to their nest

A sudden dive, and a last second pull up, then the talons grab a large dry branch. Snap!

[Blue Dawn]

2. I love watching them!

About a year ago, I watched a live cam located in Oregon of an osprey family with two baby chicks. It was so mesmerizing and enjoyable that I could hardly wait to finish working so I could log on and see what they were doing.

I watched them in good weather and bad, at night and during the day. I watched how they would fly off to the nearby lake and bring back a fish to feed their offspring. Also, I never knew this, but they are fastidious about keeping their nests clean, so they “do their business” by sticking their behinds out beyond the edge of the nest. So smart! I watched them repair the nest at times. And, finally, one fledging practiced flying by jumping up above the nest and flapping his wings....he did this for several days. One day, he flew off and never returned. It wasn’t long until the second fledgling did the same.

After seeing your post, I want to find that cam again, so thank you!!

[elleng]

3. Would be great to see such, and to have a live cam HERE (and have them tagged,)

but this is adjacent to my house, on landlord's property, so have just ME and my hand-held!

Hope landlord can take the time to trim some of the trees and bushes around here.

[Blue Dawn]

4. I think it would be nice....

....seeing live ospreys nearby. If you get some photos, I would love it if you posted them here. I know others would enjoy that, too.

I hope your landlord does clear out some of the trees and bushes.

I think all birds of prey are beautiful but for some reason I especially seem drawn to ospreys.

I am thinking you live near a lake or river because, if I remember correctly, ospreys eat fish exclusively. I bet you know more about that than I do. I think I remember reading that when I was trying to learn about them.

Again, I appreciate your thread....

[elleng]

5. House on a MAJOR river, in MD,

with a creek adjacent, so house is actually on my own little peninsula!

There will be MANY pics, assuming things go well; last year, an eagle attacked the nest while eggs were being hibernated, so no chicks arrived, tho in past years we've had 1, 2, and 3!

Yes, fish exclusively.

[Blue Dawn]

6. Wow!

I bet it is beautiful where you live! I cannot wait to see your photos. I look forward to it!

Okay, fish exclusively....that explains why we haven’t seen any around here. We don’t live near any water.

I did read that the eggs and chicks are vulnerable to other birds of prey. I do remember one thing: one chick was larger and always ate the food his parents brought first. The smaller chick had to sit back and wait until the larger one had finished eating. If he tried to get some of the food, the larger chick would peck him until he slunk away and waited his turn. I remember reading that this is completely normal, that one chick is always larger and more dominant. I found it hard to watch, but I do understand that that is pretty common with birds and animals.

I didn’t know what time of year they laid their eggs. Thanks for that info!

I’ll be looking for your posts and photos, elleng!

[elleng]

7. A GREAT thing was, the year there were TRIPLETS, AMAZING, the parents DILIGENTLY feed each

EQUALLY! They were/are GREAT parents! I hope it continues.

I've seen the adults do the 'mating' thing, and a while later (will check, 1+ month later) eggs arrive, and later, kids hatch.

The whole family leaves their 'northern' home after the kids have learned to fly and feed themselves, go to south/central America, and as they're not tagged, I/we don't know where. SO, no action on/around the nest from late August/September until March (that's HERE, other parts of North America, timing's slightly different.)

The parents/adults return here every March, but the kids take a year or 2 'off' in their southern place, and at some point return north, but NOT to this nest; I don't know WHERE they go!

[Blue Dawn]

8. I didn't know any of that!

I’d love to see triplet chicks. Those parents were truly great parents if they fed each chick equally. I would have enjoyed watching them.

All of that information is fascinating to me. Is it true that the parents come back to the same nest every year?

I did not know that they flew south, but it does make sense for them to go to a warmer climate during cold months. So, they return in March where you live, which is something to look forward to every year!

I didn’t know that the kids stayed a year or two down south and then returned.

Thanks for helping to educate me about them! I really appreciate what you’ve shared.

[elleng]

9. Yes, thank GOODNESS the adults return to the same nest every year;

THIS nest seems to be larger than many I've seen, and on a sturdier foundation; some are rebuilt every year.

SOME 'families' stay in same place around the year, like Florida (and maybe Carolina.)

[Blue Dawn]

10. I love that they keep coming back.

I think that makes it more fun and more interesting to see the same birds and families each year!

I have hummingbird feeders, and I really enjoy watching the hummingbirds while I stand at my kitchen sink and do dishes. I discovered that they do head to Central America for the winter, but they will return to the same place year after year. I expect them to start slowly showing up any day now. I have seen the same hummingbirds for several years, and I can recognize them by their markings.

Isn’t nature wonderful?

[elleng]

11. YES! Just found this Oprey cam, in Virginia:

https://www.danville-va.gov/2050/Danville-Osprey-Cam?fbclid=IwAR2RJ9bfNs7qJpgE48RCRUV5AjFEpB-iQhDfWX5yAvwbOCQNCJceeYS_zfg

[Blue Dawn]

12. Thank you!

I went there this morning and watched an osprey sitting atop a pole. I could have gotten my morning cup of coffee, settled into my comfy chair, and watched it for a very long time, but I had to get breakfast ready. I am definitely coming back later to see what is going on there! (My best friend in high school was from Danville, Virginia!)

Okay, I found a live cam in Hog Island, Maine at explore.org/livecams/ospreys/osprey-nest! They included a story about the osprey couple named Phoebe and Steve. Apparently, Steve had a mate named Rachel for many years but one year she didn’t return from migrating, so he now has a mate named Phoebe and they reunite every year.

I am going to visit both cams as often as I can. Also, I did see that explore.org has a lot of live cams of other birds and animals. Those might be fun to check out later.

Thank you for this wonderful conversation, elleng! I have really enjoyed talking to you and learning more about ospreys. I really do look forward to seeing your photos. Hope you have a lovely Sunday!

[elleng]

13. I've been watching Hog Island for a few years!

[Blue Dawn]

14. I have been watching the cams as often as I can!