I was inccorect in my assumption that parents were gone. Mother showed up [she's very large] maybe she provided the fish? The platform was empty for a little while, maybe they were out practicing fishing.
juvenile is alone on nest sitting on post. Juvenile can fly, was out w/ adults yesterday. They dropped off fish and flew away. He didn't eat until one of them returned. Did observe juvenile this morning alone & recently looked again- has been alone now for hours.
Just checked again it's 7:45 and junenile still alone. I have a feeling the parents have left permenantly. Will check again in morning.
There seems to be one fledge that hangs out on the platform alone most of the time. Seems to have a problem fishing. Spends most of his time looking at the water from above. Today I spotted him flying over the little channel in front of my house at low tide; came up w/ nothing. Checked on him later w/ my scope positioned in window upstairs and he was fluffing his wings and crying. A hawk was flying around him and I assumed it was his sibling but something was not right. No landing on platform. The fledge finally took off. I went outside because I saw the two firds flying around. Towards the end of the channel I saw activity and noticed the other hawk was a redtail and obviously it was after him on the nest and then in flight. He managed to get away and I saw him moments later alone on the platform. I am going to assume that the redtail knew, however animals do, that this young osprey is not in the best of condition. It's sad.
7/30- was incorrect that family is gone. They are using platform to eat and all four were on it for a minute till one flew off. Too tight a space now for four. Happy fledglings are flying and all is well.
on 7/27 the smallest nestling had first flight and did a small circle and came back to nest. Has since left the next and hasn't been seen again. The larger nestling took a reluctant test flight yesterday and returned [we witness both test flights of both birds]. He returned and hasn't left since. One adult [mom?] stayed with him for a bit of time and then left [she keeps leaving and returning]. He was later delivered food. Both parents showed up at one time yesterday [Dad had been not visible on nest for many days] & then both left. This morning nestling is still up there alone. Just looked and Mom back. I am guessing one or both parents wait until nestlings finally move on? I don't know the behavior and should probably read up on it. I am just recording my observations. I am not looking at nest constantly but try and check as much as I can. I can see from my dining room window and have a scope upstairs that I can check also. I work from home so I can obsess over these birds easily.
There are two babies in this nest. the ospreys who are the parents [my husband calls Fred & Ethel] have tried for at least three years to have babies. this is the first year they are successful. I have a scope in my upstairs window and I can spy on them all day.
The adults started arriving probably four years ago [may be three]. they had no success hatching eggs until this year. The nest sat empty for three or four years until these two claimed it. they have what appears to be two healthy chicks. they are still initially being fed food by the mother? but also seem to join in a bit when the parents are eating.
Past Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2020 2019
Activity reports
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries