Nickname
York Rd
Coordinates
(38.5098, -75.0578)
Substrate
Osprey Nest Platform
Description
South Bethany marsh nest on the south side of York Rd as you enter the community.
Followers
None
What to look for
Review All Observations
2023 - baygirl2022 - baygirl2021 - baygirl2020 - baygirl2019 - baygirl2019 - Butch2018 - baygirl2018 - Butch2017 - baygirl2016 - baygirl
aAdult Arrival4/5/213/24/203/25/193/25/183/28/183/23/17
aOccupiedYesYesYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYes
aActive
bEgg Laying
bIncubation Initiation5/3/214/25/204/11/194/29/184/11/174/14/16
cClutch Hatching5/21/196/4/195/19/175/26/16
dNestlings332
eFledglings0332
eFirst Chick Fledging8/14/217/9/177/17/16
fChicks Last Observed9/6/207/19/177/17/16
xNest Failure5/28/205/29/196/10/18
xReason For Nest Failureunknown reasonunknown reasonunknown reason

Select Seasons

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

Activity reports

2016 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrivalNestlings2
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings2
Nest Active First chick fledging07/17/2016
Egg layingChicks last observed07/17/2016
Incubation initiation04/14/2016Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/26/2016Reason for nest failure
2017 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrival03/23/2017Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging07/09/2017
Egg layingChicks last observed07/19/2017
Incubation initiation04/11/2017Nest failure
Clutch hatching05/19/2017Reason for nest failure
2018 Nest Activity Report by Butch
Adult arrival03/28/2018Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2018 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrival03/25/2018Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/29/2018Nest failure06/10/2018
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failureunknown reason
2019 Nest Activity Report by Butch
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedNoFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatching06/04/2019Reason for nest failure
2019 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrival03/25/2019Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/11/2019Nest failure05/29/2019
Clutch hatching05/21/2019Reason for nest failureunknown reason
2020 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrival03/24/2020Nestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiation04/25/2020Nest failure05/28/2020
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failureunknown reason
2021 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrival04/05/2021Nestlings3
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings3
Nest Active First chick fledging08/14/2021
Egg layingChicks last observed09/06/2020
Incubation initiation05/03/2021Nest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2022 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure
2023 Nest Activity Report by baygirl
Adult arrivalNestlings
Nest OccupiedYesFledglings0
Nest Active First chick fledging
Egg layingChicks last observed
Incubation initiationNest failure
Clutch hatchingReason for nest failure

Photos of this nest

Nesting Diaries

03/25/2022 by baygirl
no birds seen

08/15/2021 by Butch
Three juveniles sitting on nest loudly calling for good. Saw some osprey flying nearby over Little Assawoman Bay, but did not come to nest while I was there. 78 degrees, cloudy, light breeze, 1:30 pm

08/02/2021 by Butch
Three juveniles sitting on nest. 78 degrees, sunny, light breeze, 1:00.

07/18/2021 by Butch
Both adults on nest with 3 good-sized young who were self feeding.

07/18/2021 by Butch
83 degrees, 1:00 pm, mostly sunny

05/17/2021 by baygirl
female incubating

05/15/2021 by Butch
Bird sitting in nest. No sighting of mate. 65, light breeze, cloudless. 4:40 pm.

05/09/2021 by baygirl
one in nest

05/03/2021 by baygirl
finally this pair has settled down on eggs, fingers crossed they can nest in peace

04/29/2021 by baygirl
pair copulating, hoping for egg laying soon

04/27/2021 by baygirl
volunteer monitor reported 2 boys throwing rocks at this pair last season, she called police but they didnt think it was a problem, may be why they did not nest

04/17/2021 by Butch
Female standing on nest . After a few minutes, another osprey flew over nest and then went back out to bay. Female hardly moved. 55 degrees, mostly cloudy, some breeze. 1:30 pm

04/07/2021 by Butch
When I arrived at 1:30 pm, only female standing on nest. After 5 minutes, male joined her. He stood next to her with wings slightly akimbo. Then they both just stood quietly side by side. 62 degrees, mostly cloudy, slight breeze. Nest was improved.

04/05/2021 by baygirl
68, sun, breezy nice day, WNW 13 mph, this pair appeared to be junior last season and they still appear that way, he shows some submissive posture with her at nest today, nothing happening, just hanging out watching other ospreys flying out over Little Bay

03/26/2021 by Butch
One bird on nest. 81 degrees at 7 p.m.

03/21/2021 by baygirl
6 pm ,sun, 52, E winds 8 mph, one male on platform

07/28/2020 by baygirl
no osprey seen recently

07/08/2020 by baygirl
hot humid sunny evening, 82 degrees, SE wind at 9 mph, 4 osprey kettling over the nest, 3 had fish, I checked back after visiting nest at Virginia Ave and no osprey on nest with one on snag along RT 1.

06/05/2020 by Butch
Nest does appear to be abandoned. No birds seen anywhere. 88 degrees, partly sunny, heavy breeze.

05/29/2020 by Butch
One bird sitting on desk, but not in it. Could not see any chicks. After a few minutes, the adult flew off towards the ocean. It did not return.

05/28/2020 by baygirl
nest empty, no adults seen in their normal areas, i assume the nesting has failed

05/18/2020 by Butch
One bird deep in nest. No calling or sign of mate. 58 degrees, chilly, windy. 1:15 pm

05/11/2020 by Butch
Both birds on rim of nest. One took off and flew towards bay. The other settled into nest. 62 degrees, sunny, windy. 1:15 pm

05/10/2020 by baygirl
one deep in nest incubating, second on nest rim then flew off towards the ocean, nice warm day, breezy

05/04/2020 by Butch
Both birds sitting on nest, but not incubating. One took off and went fishing. 75 degrees, sunny, 30 mph wind, 3:45 pm

05/01/2020 by baygirl
one deep in nest incubating, one in far guard tree

04/28/2020 by Butch
One bird brooding, mate standing on nest. 11:15 am, 60 degrees, partly sunny.

04/26/2020 by baygirl
incubation observed today , mate arrived to the nest rim, they did not switch out duties

04/19/2020 by baygirl
just one osprey on the favored snag near Rt. 1 today, no activity at the nest

04/14/2020 by baygirl
no ospreys seen today following yesterdays extreme storm

04/08/2020 by Butch
Sunny, 60 degrees. 2 Ospreys sitting on nest

08/15/2019 by baygirl
last day to see the adult osprey, both were on the snags near rt 1

07/08/2019 by Butch
Still no birds on nest. Have to assume it is abandoned.

06/22/2019 by Butch
Did not see any osprey or chicks in nest. 80s, light breeze and sunny after several days of evening thunderstorms. 12 noon.

06/21/2019 by baygirl
no osprey seen on numerous visits since 5-20-19

06/11/2019 by Butch
Saw one osprey hunting in canal, but no birds on nest. Could not see any chicks. Clear, light breeze, 70 degrees. 1:45 pm

06/04/2019 by Butch
One bird on nest and could see her feeding one chick. No sign of mate. 70 degrees, clear, light breeze. 12:45 pm

05/29/2019 by baygirl
no osprey seen at nest today, I assume the May 20th heavy rain has taken another casualty but of course I dont know 100%

05/24/2019 by Butch
3 p.m/ Clear day, 80 degrees. Both birds standing on nest.

05/20/2019 by baygirl
both at nest at 3pm, male ont perch female looking down into nest, then she settled down into nest with the a very gentle rocking motion, i assume she is still incubating at least one egg but she could also have a hatchling at this date

05/14/2019 by Butch
One bird deep in nest; mate in dead tree near Rt. 1. Overcast, 55 degrees, 10:15 am

05/08/2019 by Butch
One incubating on nest. Calm. Did not see mate. 76 degrees, overcast.

05/06/2019 by baygirl
one incubating with second on far snag near Rt 1

05/06/2019 by baygirl
one incubating with second on far snag near Rt 1

04/11/2019 by baygirl
one deep in nest, did not see mate

04/05/2019 by baygirl
female on nest rim, male out near Rt 1 on fave tree limb

04/02/2019 by baygirl
just the female at 1:00 today

03/31/2019 by baygirl
both perched on nest at 6pm today

03/27/2019 by Butch
Female was on nest but flew off to favorite tree near Rt. 1. After a couple of minutes, she gathered what looked like nesting material. 4:00 p.m. Sunny and warm.

03/25/2019 by baygirl
both on nest today

08/17/2018 by baygirl
hot day, 89, no breeze to speak of and no ospreys seen or heard

08/15/2018 by Butch
Sunny, 90 degrees, 5-10 mph breeze. No osprey in sight or on nest

07/15/2018 by baygirl
6 pm, one adult ospr eating fish on snag near Rt. 1, no activity seen at the nest in some time.

07/14/2018 by Butch
Cloudless blue sky, 85 degrees. Did not see any osprey.

06/25/2018 by baygirl
Beautiful day, 81, W9 mph, good vis, hazy sunshine. 3 pm. Both adults perched on separate branches of their preferred light colored snag near Rt. 1

06/18/2018 by baygirl
no osprey heard or seen at the nest or at their favorite snag today

06/11/2018 by Butch
2:10 pm, 61 degrees, overcast, some wind. Did not see any evidence of activity at nest. The pair was sitting in a dead tree at the Rt. 1 end of the canal; quite a distance from nest.

06/10/2018 by baygirl
no osprey seen on or near the nest today. i think the eggs were either not viable or if there were any hatchlings they probably perished with such heavy recent constant rains. this is likely a new younger pair

06/07/2018 by baygirl
6:45 pm, nest was empty, both adults over at Rt. 1 snag, perched, with their backs to the nesting platform. I thought it must be a failed nesting. I returned at 7:50 and the male was still on the snag, as if he had never moved, the female was hunched in the nest, then she flew off over the marsh toward the male, I lost sight of her for a few minutes, then she flew back in my sight line and twice dive bombed a great blue heron, then went to the nest and appeared to rock down deep in the nest as if on eggs. I will just have to wait to see how this plays out. The more I watch ospreys nesting the less I know about ospreys nesting!!!

06/05/2018 by baygirl
late today one deep in the nest, appears to still be incubating, mate not seen or heard

05/30/2018 by baygirl
67, clouds heavy, spit rain, E 9mph, the male at nest with the female looking to be very deep and flat in the nest bowl

05/27/2018 by baygirl
one ospr deep in the nest today around 1:30, the mate not seen or heard

05/19/2018 by baygirl
12:00 noon,65, SSE 7 mph, med vis, some drizzle. the female was in the nest and the male was picking at nest material on the nest rim. The past week of rain is concerning with more rain to come. Hope this pair can keep the eggs dry. I believe they are a new pair to this nest platform.

05/16/2018 by Butch
11:15am, overcast, 65 degrees. Both birds perched on platform with female dropping head in nest. After 5 minutes she settled back into nest. Male did not move.

05/07/2018 by Butch
2:00, 68 degrees, slight wind, sunny. Female seems to be more relaxed and deeper in nest, though it does appear to be a shallow one. She still does swivel her head around constantly. As this next is on a canal with houses on both sides, there is a fair amount of human noise, esp. construction at this time of year. Some gulls and red-winged blackbirds flying about. Did not see mate, though female did call a few times.

05/03/2018 by baygirl
4 pm today with SW winds 8 mph ad up, sun and good vis,one in nest incubating and one on the far snag line at Rt. 1 eating a fish. This osprey appears higher in the nest and it may simply be the nest bowl is not deep. During prior seasons the birds in this nest would be much more settled, calmer, deeper in the nest and start earlier incubation so I do believe we have a new pair this season. Can not know for sure, just a hunch.

04/30/2018 by Butch
1:07-120 pm, partly cloudy, fairly windy. Female does still seem to be more nervous and more exposed above nest line than other nests observed. She is constantly swiveling around to check things out, this nest is closer to residences than other nests I have observed. Did not see mate.

04/29/2018 by baygirl
3 pm today, WNW 18 mph wind with gusts, 50% clouds and good vis. The female is deep in the nest though she seems to be higher than some osprey will get so perhaps she is beginning egg laying. She seems stressed, not comfortable and I do believe this is a new pair this year from their behavior- not settled. the male flew in from the snag near Rt. 1 and stood beside her, bracing into the wind, eyes closed. She softly chirped at him but her head was swiveling and she was very wary of all the other bird species in the marsh and in the air. I do think she is incubating now.

04/27/2018 by Butch
11:10-11:20 am, 60 degrees, overcast with fog rolling in. Bird on nest did not seem to be incubating because top half of bird was visible. She seemed anxious, head swiveling constantly. No sign of mate.

04/25/2018 by baygirl
4-24-18 around 5:00 pm female was low in the nest but not incubating. she was placing some nest material and her mate was on the favored pole in the west marsh, eating a large fish. today at the same time of day both osprey were quietly standing on the nest together. SW 8mph winds, 100% clouds with some fog, 63. I hope they begin incubating soon.

04/23/2018 by Butch
Sunny day with a few clouds, 62 degrees, light wind. 12:55--1:20 pm. Female was on nest, but not completely relaxed; tail and part of wings were swept up. But she did not move. Heard her call, but did not see mate.

04/21/2018 by baygirl
around 4 pm today just the female was quietly standing in the nest. no male seen

04/17/2018 by baygirl
Nobody home at 10:15 am today and none in the dining area either but after I checked Victoria Drive nest upon my return both arrived to the nest and the male handed off a headless fish, then he proceeded to clean his bill on the nest and she flew over to the dining tree.Years past the osprey at this nest were earlier nesters. I hope this pair gets down to business soon.

04/16/2018 by Butch
Arrived 10:30 am, but could not pull up to road area nearest nest due to flooding from the marsh. Did not see any birds on the nest.

04/11/2018 by baygirl
Around 5 pm today both osprey were on their favorite dining snag by Rt. 1, then the female flew to the nest and was urgently calling for a fish. Her mate came immediately and gave her a headless fish. She flew back to the snag to dine and he sat on the corner board of the nest and raked his bill clean. 48, some clouds, hi vis, SE 8 mph.

04/11/2018 by Butch
Arrived about 4:30. Female on nest, but flew off about a minute after I left.

04/08/2018 by Butch
4/8/18--both birds on nest. After a few minutes, they flew off toward Little Assawoman Bay. Weather: 42 degrees, clear, windy.

04/07/2018 by baygirl
Both on nest around 3 pm today. Appear to be building up the nest.

04/04/2018 by baygirl
I am not seeing activity at the nest, probably just bad timing on my part. I did see one osprey at the "dining" snag near Rt.1 around 1 pm today.

04/03/2018 by Butch
Pair are sharing nest and arranging nest materials.

04/02/2018 by baygirl
Female on the nest today. She was very quiet. I have not seen the male in a few days. I noticed the previously unused platform ( at least for 2017) on a tiny island across from the cul de sac at Victoria Ave.has had a male visitor off and on and today it had the male and new nest material. I am wondering what is going on and hoping my pair was truly a pair and not just checking each other out last week!

03/28/2018 by baygirl
Female on nest today calling for a fish, I did not see the male nearby.

03/25/2018 by baygirl
2;00 today both osprey at nest area with female on the nest calling softly to her mate who was eating a fish on his favorite dining pvc pipe in the marsh NW of the platform. temp 43, winds NE 23 mph, chilly day with sun and clouds.

03/24/2018 by baygirl
4:00 pm today I saw one osprey on the nest. It appeared to be a male with a very white chest. No other ospreys seen. 45, sun clouds, N 9 mph

03/23/2018 by baygirl
Today I checked the nest again and at 3:00 pm an osprey was perched on a pvc pipe along water line about 300 ft SE from the nesting platform. I could not tell if it was female or male as it did appear to have a light necklace. Another osprey flew over head and called softly to the osprey on the pipe then it continued over to the canal treeline near the empty platform across from Victoria Ave. That bird appeared to be female but again can not be 100% sure until I can confirm with behaviors. Temp 42, winds NW 14 mph, 50% mix of sun and clouds. I will not start my activity report until I see a pair on the nest. Hoping the end of this nesting season someone can place a nice T perch on the corner of this nesting platform so the male and fledglings have a place to perch.

03/18/2018 by Butch
Nest was observed 3/15/18 & 3.18/18--no activity. A mature Great Blue Heron in courting plumage was seen nearby.

09/21/2017 by baygirl
end of season: this is a tough group to track and I lost sight of the adults even before all 3 chicks were flying but I did see 2 juveniles enjoying some fishing together close to the nest on 7-19-17. my last sighting of the adult female was on 7-3-17. this group has the ocean and expansive bays so close that its not surprising they are rarely at the nest after fledge time. they always seem to do very well here.

07/19/2017 by baygirl
2 fledged young flying near the nest, diving for fish with one catching a fish and both returning to nest. this is what makes monitoring osprey so exciting. seeing these young birds fearlessly submerging into the water and coming up with a prize. they have fulfilled their purpose..flight

06/29/2017 by baygirl
3 big chicks on the nest yesterday when I arrived and one had its own fish, so fledging cant be too long now. the female flew onto the nest and promptly took the fish so maybe the male had brought it in her absence and she decided her chick should share it.

06/18/2017 by baygirl
2 very large chicks visible on the nest today with adult female shading and male also on the nest.

06/05/2017 by baygirl
both on the nest today and one feeding as other fixed nest material, still haven't seen a little head pop up and these babes should be getting some weight and strength on them

05/24/2017 by baygirl
one deep in the nest, no activity observed

05/19/2017 by baygirl
First day I actually see feeding behavior, and it is hot so she is also trying to shade. I bet the hatchlings have been here a few days at least.

05/17/2017 by baygirl
female very fussy in the nest but still quite low even in the heat.

05/16/2017 by baygirl
If there are no hatchlings today there will be soon. I watched both osprey in the nest for at least 30 minutes today. the female was low in the nest but very fussy and the male stayed with her the entire time I watched.

05/03/2017 by baygirl
1 in nest incubating and one on favorite marsh pole eating a fish

04/24/2017 by baygirl
incubating and I rarely see the second osprey

04/17/2017 by baygirl
continuing to incubate with little disturbance. the male sits at the nest as he doesn't have a nest perch. other times he eats fish on the snags near rt. one.

04/02/2017 by baygirl
Have not seen the male at the nest past few days. I do not see it anywhere nearby but the female is calm and not calling for fish. last season I also rarely saw the male or fledglings. Not certain where the family goes when not at the nest.

03/24/2017 by baygirl
12:40, temp 41, NNE 9mph,sunshine, beautiful day and both osprey have arrived! Male perched on pvc pipe guard perch near the road and female flew in with large branch and began arranging the nest. This is why I monitor osprey..my heart is happy to see the pair!

10/30/2016 by baygirl
I never saw any osprey on the nest after finding the nest empty on 7-17-16. There were osprey flying around the area and I did see one or 2 in the trees along the main road but since this platform has no vegetation near it except for marsh grass its not surprising that the birds didn't spend a lot of time on the nest by this date.

07/17/2016 by baygirl
I can guarantee these 2 chicks fledged awhile ago but I could not confirm it as each visit they were just hanging out in the nest with the adult female. But finally today I find an empty nest with a number of osprey kettling above the nest. Always exciting to see an empty nest with the group flying overhead because they now have some independence from human disturbance. Of course there is a lot of learning ahead but so cool to know they are on their way.

05/26/2016 by baygirl
This is the first day I can confirm chick(s).Both adults were on the nest with one feeding chick and then shading. One chick visible.

05/18/2016 by baygirl
I generally check this nest site once a week, Wednesdays. The pair is still incubating. I rarely see the second bird but I am not spending much time monitoring, just a few minutes. I do intend to check more often now since I do not know the exact date of incubating and there may be chicks any day! I hope before Memorial Day. That is a tough weekend for new osprey parents and this platform is on a narrow waterway accessed by a busy S. Bethany neighborhood.

05/04/2016 by baygirl
Quietly incubating. Did not see the mate on his usual guard perch.

04/20/2016 by baygirl
I first observed this nest site on 4-14-16 and the birds were already nesting. Perhaps someone else can fill in the blanks. I will monitor their progress through the season. The male uses the marsh signs west of the structure for guarding.