I thought I would spend a little time updating everyone on the fate of my Ospreys on the Potomac near Dykes Marsh. I went by there on Sunday to see how the nest was, if it was still there and to see how the water traffic was affecting the Ospreys. I received an answer to all 3 questions and then some.
It seems like there is more than the single Osprey that I had been seeing. I had an inkling that there were more, but had no pictures. I was coming up on the area where the nest was when I saw an Osprey up on a branch. It was just sitting there making little clucking sounds.
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| Look at me... Cluck Cluck. |
Then another Osprey swooped in and the 2 of them took off. Sorry, too fast for a picture. So I was thinking.. "there are 2". I quickly walked over to the nest and there was another one just sitting in the nest. It could not have been one of the other 2. The (probably female) Osprey was just watching the guy fishing.
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| Look how close the boat is |
Then out of nowhere, the male flew back in with a branch for the nest.
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| A peace offering? |
The 2 of them had a little discussion in the nest. This was the first time that I saw them both there of course. Notice her back is turned.
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| Hey... I'm sorry... |
And then the female got up and took off leaving the male by himself. Trust me, they switched places.
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| You watch the nest |
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| Male watching the Female fly off |
I thought "it looks like the Female went off to hunt for some food, ..." but no, she landed in a tree about 40 yards away and just stared at the nest.
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| I'm just going to sit here awhile and stew |
Here is what I gathered. There must be eggs in the nest. Both parents sit on the eggs. The fishermen and boats are not bothering the Ospreys. Don't hang out with your friends if you don't want the spouse to be mad.
Hello Steve, What a great observation! I'm happy to see the pair is not disturbed by the fishermen,but still hope people will stay further off the nest.I hope you would keep up with the progress.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and observations of the Ospreys. They must be really used to people and apparently not bothered by them.
ReplyDeleteGreat series on the Ospreys. It is nice to see that the ospreys are not bothered by the boaters. But I would still like to see people stay further away.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see all the behaviour like that.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful birds.
Lovely bird to see. Great behaviour.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that they tolerate human activity so close. Great series showing their behavoir.
ReplyDeleteOsprey are an incredible species Steve. We had a pair nesting on top of an old bridge only about 20 feet above the loud, busy roadway, their nest rattling whenever a large truck drove underneath. As long as they have a good supply of fish, they don't seem to care about much else. We also have a pair nesting atop a light pole for a busy soccer field here locally.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and narrative! It's really amazing to see how well they tolerate the presence of people so near the nest. They are beautiful birds.
ReplyDelete