Ospreys share in the nest building and this local pair has been hard at work building their nest for the past few weeks. I have watched them since they put the first few sticks on the platform. The male has done the greatest amount of gathering, flying just above the tree tops and breaking off branches with his feet. He has also helped in the rearranging at the nest site but the female appears to have the final say. On occasion they have both picked up leaves and clumps of grasses off the ground and placed them on the platform. The nest is beginning to shape. New nests can be quite minimal with just a shallow layer of sticks. Most often the nests are reused year after year and there are records of some Osprey nests being 13 feet deep!

 

On my last visit the male Osprey brought his smaller (female raptors are most always larger) and banded mate a nice size bass which she enjoyed for quite some time. Things seem to be proceeding to the next level and hopefully the female will be laying eggs in the near future. I offer a word of caution on observing and photographing raptors on nests. Birds of prey are particularly sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon the nest with excessive trespassing. I use a long lens and always keep a comfortable distance from the birds. A great photograph or a closer look is very satisfying but not at the expense of the birds raising their family. The lasting pleasure will be the memory of extraordinary glimpses into the private world of the Osprey.

 

The female Osprey will lay two to four eggs, with an average of three, and both birds will incubate the eggs with the majority of the brooding done by the female. Hatching occurs after 38 days. The female Osprey remains with the young most of the time protecting them from the elements and predators. The male will be extremely busy bringing fish to the nest site. The chicks will fledge between a month and half and two months. And the parents will continue to care for them for quite some time after they fledge.

 

This morning I was watching the Osprey pair bring more sticks and grasses to add to the nest. The wind has picked up and it is breathtaking to watch them handle it so effortlessly. I will continue to witness their journey with great expectations and if all goes well will be looking forward to the first flight of the next generation.