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tammie | profile | all galleries >> The Feathers ** Osprey Monitoring Project** 2006 >> Osprey Watch - FW Site tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Osprey Watch - MP Site | Osprey Watch - FW Site

Osprey Watch - FW Site

This site is set far back off the road on private land. Most of the shots are cropped heavily. They are mainly for documentation to show the activity at this nest. Although just recently we learned who the land owner is and he granted us permission to walk in closer. Hopefully our shots should improve!

I need to acknowledge where I get my osprey facts from (for my book report as my friend Barb calls them!!) Anything I know I learned from my osprey obsessed friend Fisher (who is a walking wealth of information!) and a book called, "The Fish Hawk Osprey" by Stephen D. Carpenteri
4-08-06 We were given permission to go in closer. This is what we had to go through to get there.
4-08-06 We were given permission to go in closer. This is what we had to go through to get there.		 When we got back there, the female was on the nest and took off. It looks like a branch hooked on her foot as she left.
When we got back there, the female was on the nest and took off. It looks like a branch hooked on her foot as she left.		 Just to give you an idea of what these birds have to deal with. Power lines around the nest area.
Just to give you an idea of what these birds have to deal with. Power lines around the nest area.		 The male came in with a fish. He was not expecting company and just flew around with the fish for awhile.
The male came in with a fish. He was not expecting company and just flew around with the fish for awhile.
Eventually he went to a pole near the platform. We could see the fish still flopping around up there.
Eventually he went to a pole near the platform. We could see the fish still flopping around up there.		 Then the female came back to the nest. Check out these wings..they can have a wingspan up to 6 ft.
Then the female came back to the nest. Check out these wings..they can have a wingspan up to 6 ft.		 This answered the burning question..is she banded?? She is not.
This answered the burning question..is she banded?? She is not.		 With the female in the nest the male came back with the fish.
With the female in the nest the male came back with the fish.
He appears to be getting ready to drop it...
He appears to be getting ready to drop it...		 ...but he doesn't.
...but he doesn't.		 I'm outta here! The males seem to have a problem with coming to the nest when we are near.
I'm outta here! The males seem to have a problem with coming to the nest when we are near.		 Okay, he gets ready to try a second time. It was unreal how long he hovered in that same spot.
Okay, he gets ready to try a second time. It was unreal how long he hovered in that same spot.
And he still wouldn't drop it. A good shot of his legs which shows he is not banded either.
And he still wouldn't drop it. A good shot of his legs which shows he is not banded either.		 This was the third time he came around, and our cue to leave. Which we did.
This was the third time he came around, and our cue to leave. Which we did.		 4-5-06 Both birds are at the nest.
4-5-06 Both birds are at the nest.		 This shows how far off the road this nest site is. We now have permission to go in closer.
This shows how far off the road this nest site is. We now have permission to go in closer.
4-01-06 Both birds on site.
4-01-06 Both birds on site.		 Mating occurs at random, and not always at or near the nest site. The male approaches her from above.
Mating occurs at random, and not always at or near the nest site. The male approaches her from above.		 If she is receptive she will tip forward and raise her tail.
If she is receptive she will tip forward and raise her tail.		 This all happens in milliseconds.
This all happens in milliseconds.

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tammie12-Apr-2006 14:14
Yep we are hiking in Donna!! Heavy duty boots, cameo cloths, camera stuff and stools to sit on!! I was a little leary about falling in the mud! I have a 4WD but walk in so we don't upset the birds any more than we are by just walking in. This is not the nest that failed last year...in fact it fledged chicks but until recently we could not get in there to do any banding. This year should be different. Glad you are enjoying "the book report". LOL
Donna Race12-Apr-2006 03:00
Wow, this is great news Tammie! Do you have a 4wd, or 4 wheeler to get closer...surely you're not hiking in with all that equipment?! Is this the nest that failed last year? Lot of questions, eh? Wonderful shots and 'book report' as always, thanks!
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