Nickname
Wharf Creek
Coordinates
(39.1165, -76.4516)
Substrate
Utility pole; now platform
Description
Sitting on the pole that supports utility lines crossing Wharf Creek, a tributary of the Bodkin River and Chesapeake Bay in a suburban neighborhood, this nest has been successful since 2008. The utility company constructed baffles and destroyed the nest in 2017. A new nest platform was build nearby, slightly lower than the utility lines. Ospreys adopted it in 2018.
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2023 - blueheron2022 - blueheron2021 - blueheron2020 - blueheron2019 - blueheron2018 - blueheron2017 - blueheron2016 - blueheron2015 - blueheron2014 - blueheron2013 - blueheron2012 - blueheron
aAdult Arrival3/9/233/13/223/13/213/18/203/18/193/29/183/18/172/28/163/20/153/18/143/11/133/10/12
aOccupiedYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation4/4/234/10/224/25/184/24/173/30/164/1/154/3/143/25/134/6/12
cClutch Hatching5/21/235/22/227/29/205/22/145/16/12
dNestlings22232334
eFledglings2300132334
eFirst Chick Fledging7/12/237/18/217/5/167/10/157/7/147/5/137/10/12
fChicks Last Observed8/31/239/3/216/15/199/5/168/31/158/30/149/3/139/10/12
xNest Failure7/18/206/17/195/7/17
xReason For Nest Failureeggs or young killed by predatorothernest destroyed by human

Select Seasons

Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Activity reports

2012 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/10/2012Nestlings4
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings4
Nest Active First chick fledging07/10/2012
Egg layingChicks last observed09/10/2012
Incubation initiation04/06/2012Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/16/2012Reason for nest failure
2013 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/11/2013Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/05/2013
Egg layingChicks last observed09/03/2013
Incubation initiation03/25/2013Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2014 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/18/2014Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/07/2014
Egg layingChicks last observed08/30/2014
Incubation initiation04/03/2014Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/22/2014Reason for nest failure
2015 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/20/2015Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings2
Nest Active First chick fledging07/10/2015
Egg layingChicks last observed08/31/2015
Incubation initiation04/01/2015Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2016 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival02/28/2016Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/05/2016
Egg layingChicks last observed09/05/2016
Incubation initiation03/30/2016Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2017 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/18/2017Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/24/2017Nest failure05/07/2017
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failurenest destroyed by human
2018 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/29/2018Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings1
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/25/2018Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2019 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/18/2019Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings0
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed06/15/2019
Incubation initiationNest failure06/17/2019
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failurenew male moved in
2020 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/18/2020Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings0
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure07/18/2020
Clutch hatching07/29/2020Reason for nest failureeggs or young killed by predator
2021 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/13/2021Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/18/2021
Egg layingChicks last observed09/03/2021
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2022 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/13/2022Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/10/2022Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/22/2022Reason for nest failure
2023 Nest Activity Report by blueheron
Adult arrival03/09/2023Nestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings2
Nest Active First chick fledging07/12/2023
Egg layingChicks last observed08/31/2023
Incubation initiation04/04/2023Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/21/2023Reason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

05/22/2022 by blueheron
The female arrived first as she has for years. She even practiced sitting on her nest. The sexes are quite distinctive this year as the male has a blindingly white chest. She was observed to be sitting down in the nest continuously by 4/10. Today the two are on the platform occupied by something interesting in the nest, we hope, a chick.

09/03/2021 by blueheron
We didn't record the beginning of incubation because it wasn't clear. The first chick was visible 6/5. The last chick was demonstrably smaller and very hesitant to fly, even after his first flight 7/21. He hung around for a long time after all the others had left, still whining.

04/05/2021 by blueheron
The first osprey, a female, reappeared March 4. On March 9 3 ospreys were contesting the nest, but by 3/13 a pair had taken possession. They have been busy rearranging the furniture ever since.

07/18/2020 by blueheron
Egg laying and incubation seemed to be successful. One of the chicks disappeared early this season but the other grew to the point of stretching its wings regularly, but on 7/17 was observed prone in the nest feebly waving one wing all day. Presumed injured by a predator but there could have been some other reason for its death 7/18. The mother brought a fish yesterday but today is no longer standing guard, though she continues to visit.

04/06/2020 by blueheron
There was a territorial battle today. A third osprey hunkered down in the nest with the two already there for at least a half hour. When a fourth osprey came, one flew out to chase him and the interloper also flew away.

03/28/2020 by blueheron
The first osprey appeared around 3/5/2020, disappeared and reappeared 3/9. The pair were united 3/18 and have been busy reconstructing the nest ever since.

06/18/2019 by blueheron
The new male moved in, and the two cohabited happily for the rest of the summer, but did not raise a new brood. We last saw the last osprey 9/16/19.

06/17/2019 by blueheron
Two chicks have been visible in this nest. The male turned up dead on our lawn 6/8, no obvious reason. The female carried on feeding and the chicks seemed to thrive. But on 6/14 a new male appeared. She fought him off but eventually, that evening, accepted him and he helped shoo away other interested males. On 6/15 the chicks were still there, but they weren't seen on 6/16 and she removed a dead chick to the side of the nest this morning. The new male came with food but she has spurned him, so far.

03/18/2019 by blueheron
The male osprey returned March 13. Another osprey appeared a few days later and then disappeared, but today a pair mated on the nesting platform.

03/29/2018 by blueheron
This nest was destroyed last year and a new nesting platform built which the pair ignored. This year, for the first time ever, a male arrived first, on 3/21. He sat on the old pole but didn't attempt to nest. Both male and female were observed on the new platform today, and the female was observed bringing in nesting material.

05/16/2017 by blueheron
Incubation began on a nest constructed on the pole and lines 4/24/17, although the power company assured us the ospreys would move to their new pole. The picture with 2 ospreys was taken 5/7/14. On 5/15/17 the nest was knocked down. We weren't home so we don't know how though we suspect the power company who visited this weekend. The ospreys continue to sit on the baffle and call.

03/20/2017 by blueheron
On 3/6/17 after ospreys began reappearing on the creek, the power company installed a new pole and nesting platform nearby and covered the top of the pole the ospreys have been using with a baffle. For the last three days, the pair have been trying valiantly but unsuccessfully to construct a nest where they've always nested. The sticks slip off the rounded top and the ground is littered. They're still trying.

03/12/2016 by blueheron
This pair returned 2/28, but left for a week in early March (it snowed). They've returned and are busy mating and rebuilding their nest. This picture was taken 3/11/2016.

05/24/2015 by blueheron
Chicks first observed 5/24 -- 10-12 days after the mother was observed perching on the edge of the nest instead of down inside.

04/11/2015 by blueheron
The power company came 4/2/2015 to safeguard the nest, resetting a wire and trimming some branches. The female was off her 3 eggs for about 2 hours, watching, but then returned.

03/21/2015 by blueheron
Female returned 3/6/2015. Her nest had been cleared away by the power company. She gathered sticks which were blown away in a windstorm. She gathered them again; they were removed by the power company after fuses blew 3/30/2014. The male returned 3/20/2015 and both are now energetically rebuilding the nest and mating.

03/24/2014 by blueheron
The female osprey (with the heavier breast markings) returned 3/12/14. Three ospreys were observed on 3/13/14 but 2 of them were chased away and not seen after that. The female began to pile a few sticks On 3/18/14 what appeared to be her mate returned. Nest construction began immediately and they seemed to have no problem with the new baffle the utility company put over the insulators on the pole. On 3/20 mating was observed. Nest construction continues enthusiastically with one osprey sitting on the nest and the other gathering sticks. Another osprey was chased away 3/23. As they do every year, they've taken many dried fallen branches we've laid out on our lawn for them. The new nest is already, as of 3/24, a substantial structure with sides rising 8-12 inches.

09/23/2013 by blueheron
In late September 2013 workers for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company dismantled this nest and installed spikes on the pole they hope will discourage further nesting. Their explanation was that they were worried that the birds might electrocute themselves, though that hasn't happened in years of successful nesting.

09/09/2013 by blueheron
We believe the chicks from this nest have left. It is much quieter in the neighborhood and no chicks have returned to the nest since 9/3 although there are still other ospreys feeding in the area.

07/22/2013 by blueheron
7/22/2013 The last chick finally left the nest on 7/20 - more than two weeks after the first. After an early flurry of activity, he showed little interest in exercising his wings, and continues to sit for long periods on high places nearby-including on a neighbor's boat- whining for food and looking as if he dislikes heights.

07/05/2013 by blueheron
One fledgling tried fishing today, splashing into the creek several times. One perched for a long time on the electric wire before taking off successfully - probably his first day of flying. A third is still on the edge of the nest, flapping and strengthening his wings.

05/10/2013 by blueheron
We can't see into this nest but the parent activity has changed. Today they perch on the sides instead of nestling down inside. It may be that there are chicks inside.

03/12/2013 by blueheron
This pair seemed to have returned together. First seen in the neighborhood 3/7 they were on the nest together by 3/11. Today (3/12) the female is busy gathering sticks we've strewn on the lawn (among others) and repairing the nest. Both in their nest repair and in their fishing they look very competent and experienced.

09/11/2012 by blueheron
As of 9/3/2012 all the ospreys but one had left the area. The lone chick remained for another week, calling hopefully, fishing successfully and returning to the nest to share before taking its fish to a tree to eat.

07/17/2012 by blueheron
As of 7/15/12 all 4 nestlings had fledged and are now flying independently, though still hanging around for food.

07/09/2012 by blueheron
The four nestlings are actively exercising their wings, jumping up, peering over the sides, and occasionally grabbing sticks from the nest.

06/16/2012 by blueheron
There are FOUR nestlings feeding! They are regularly visible now, peering over the sides of the nest. There has been a great deal of nest remodeling as well.

05/16/2012 by blueheron
5/16/2012 It will be a while before we will see nestlings but the nature of the adult activity has changed. Today one adult sat quietly while the other appeared to be feeding something inside the nest, picking food off his feet. There were quiet peeps, possibly from an adult and possibly from chicks.

03/17/2012 by blueheron
After a week of flying around and heavy fishing, the ospreys began rebuilding their nest yesterday. This morning a third osprey appeared with a fish. At least two of the three sat on the nest at different times this morning, and one continued to add new sticks. Now one stands guard.

03/10/2012 by blueheron
This nest was started but not completed in the summer of 2007. In 2008 the pair raised one chick. In 2009, two, in 2010 the three pictured, and in 2011 two again. The female returned 3/8. She was observed sitting on the nest this morning (3/10) and calling and within 2 hours, the male was observed as well.

03/10/2012 by blueheron
In the late fall of 2009 the nest was destroyed by fire caused by a lightning strike. The pair rebuilt their nest completely in 2010 before raising the three young that year.

by blueheron