Good morning from the cold, cloudy and breezy Eastern Shore of Maryland! It sure feels more like April than June around here. Osprey Girl and her friends are at the beach for a week. I can’t help but wonder what a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds do at the beach when it is 59 and rainy, but I guess I really don’t want to know. She will be off on her own in a couple of months anyway, so I guess I need to worry about something else, like baby ospreys!
What did I say? Baby ospreys? But the window for Tom and Audrey’s eggs to hatch has passed, you say! Do you all remember the title of my last blog, “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over”? Well, our dear friend and osprey expert Dr. Paul Spitzer came up with a remarkable idea, although to him, it was just another day in the osprey world. During his many years as an ornithologist, Dr. Spitzer has conducted many, many scientific studies. Early on in his career, he was studying the effects of DDT on raptor eggs and survivability. As a major part of his study, he moved eggs and chicks from nests in Connecticut to nests in the Chesapeake Bay, and vice versa. The survivability of the chicks that were moved from nest to nest was excellent. According to Dr. Spitzer, the parenting instinct of ospreys is mighty fine, even for chicks that are not their own. He suggested that we place a foster chick in Tom and Audrey’s nest, and see what happens. Dr. Spitzer is quite confident that Tom and Audrey will make great foster parents. Additionally, he feel it would be a shame to waste all of the technology that is in place to be able to watch our nest. So here is a Facebook post that was just entered onto the Chesapeake Conservancy’s site:
The Chesapeake Conservancy has been in touch with several government agencies and raptor biologists about the possibility of Tom & Audrey fostering chick(s). Each year, a growing number of osprey construct nests on navigational markers, boat docks, bridges, airport communication beacons and numerous types of other elevated structures near water, including cell towers. In some cases, according to Craig Koppie, USFWS Raptor Biologist at the Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapo…lis, Maryland, these nest locations may pose a safety risk to the pair or their young or may interfere with 911 emergency communications. If there is a problematic or nuisance nest that is deemed a hazard and meets the requirements for nest removal, efforts are made to relocate either eggs or young to foster nests if opportunities become available. The word is out in that community that Tom & Audrey could be great foster parents.
We are standing by to facilitate should this possibility come to fruition. Stay tuned!
Now, as you all know, there are no guarantees when it comes to Mother Nature and her stubborn ways. But this is certainly a wonderful development. And if we have success, may I suggest the name of Annie or Oliver, two other famous orphans? We will keep you all posted!
In the meantime, we remain-
Crazy Osprey Man, Mrs. Crazy Man and Osprey Girl
Here is our first contestant for the “Where In The World Are Tom and Audrey?” contest:
Fran+, blog commentor extraordinaire, watching the ospreycam from Maryland
If you are enjoying the osprey camera and blog, please consider a donation to the Chesapeake Conservancy so they are able to continue supporting programs such as this one. Go to http://chesapeakeconservancy.org today. Thanks very much.
I believe that’s one of the reasons they moved the two larger chicks as they were better equipped to defend themselves, whereas the two they left behind were the runts of the litter and with the two larger chicks their chances for survival would have been dismal.
OH YES, JANE I WELL REMEMBER SPITZ, JUST STAYED AROUND, AND LOUNGED IN THE NEST, HAD A WONDERFUL TIME, ALL ALONE. IT WAS AMAZING WHEN HE STARTED TO FIGHT BACK, I AM SURE EVERYONE COULD HEAR ME CHEERING HIM ON. I SURE HOPE THIS LITTLE ONE HAS IT IN HIS/HERSELF TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE, NO PUN !! SPITZ WAS A CHARACTER, HAD A DISTINCTIVE CHIRP, AND QUITE TALKATIVE, AS I REMEMBER. LOVED MY SPITZ !! HOPING THAT BOTH WILL HAVE LOTS OF GOOD FISH, AND BE HEALTHY. PRAYERS FOR THAT AS WELL AS AUDREY AND TOM. SURE WISH SHE WOULD LEAVE THAT EGG ALONE. SHE KNOWS BEST !!
IT SHOULD BE ABOUT TIME TO FEED EVERYONE AGAIN, HOPE I HAVE NOT MISSED IT !!
Last night when I tuned into our Falcons all three of the youngsters
were hopping around and flapping their wings, the little boy trying to
keep up with his Sisters They all went to the far end and all of a sudden
one got a talon stuck in a loose piece of roofing tarpaper she started
flopping around for a few seconds and in that instant Mom was there
and Baby flopped enough to release the talon but I saw her head for
her baby in distress .. The concern I saw in her body movements was
very real.. and she was going to help her baby .. A beautiful sight I
wish I could have shared with some one. HAPPY FATHERS DAY
TO ANY DADDYS OUT THERE..
AWESOME STORY, JOAN, GOD’S GIFTS TO ENJOY !!~~
SOMEONE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE TOM ON THE NEST AT THE MOMENT !! ALL ALONE WITH BABIES !!
Just looked and the osprey babies were all alone in the nest. Then Audrey came swooping in to cover them up!
I BELIEVE IT MUST BE AUDREY, SHE IS DIGGING IN THE NEST AGAIN, THE EGG !!!!!!!!!!~“`BLESS HER HEART, WHY WON’T IT OPEN UP WITH A NEW CHICK, SHE SAYS EVERY FEW MINUTES !!~~~
TOM JUST BROUGHT A SMALL AMOUNT OF FISH, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THEM, HOPE BRINGS MORE AND SOON !~! GET A GRIP MAN, YOU HAVE A FAMILY TO FEED, UNLESS YOU HAVE FED THEM AND I HAVE NOT SEEN IT.
5:15pm Audrey is feeding herself and the babies – the meal is almost done. I was looking at an osprey-cam on my native Long Island, NY. They have a link for a short documentary about the osprey. I’ll put the link here and hope it is approved for everyone’s viewing. It just shows how we, as humans, do what we think is the right thing (ie DDT), and how it impacted everything around us. http://ospreyzone.com/everything-osprey/
5:21 all have settled down – looks like the babies are on a covered “time-out”
Happy Father’s day to all the dads in our community!
6:30pm – went by the computer and Tom is purveying the kingdom while Audrey and the babies eat!
Have been watching the falcon cam for about 1/2 hr now…..Larger female mostly feathers now was perched on rail by the nest box….she is gorgeous! Other female came into view when mom brought a bird just now….larger female took it, then the other female got part of it…..brother falcon is off to the left, but not too far away. He saw mom w/the bird, but was more interested in stretching his wings…Mom took off right away, probably to get more dinner! I hope brother falcon gets something to eat! They are growing up so fast!
COREYGIRL, , TELL ME ABOUT THEM EATING AT 6:50, DID SHE FEED THE SMALL ONE, NO ONE HAD MUCH EARLIER JUST CONCERNED, I SEEM TO MISS IT . I GUESS I WILL ATTACH IT TO MY BODY, AS I GO ABOUT THE DAY. BLOWING REALLY HARD RIGHT NOW, TIDE IN !TRIED TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO, IT KEPT SKIPPING, I WILL TRY LATER ON.
TOM BROUGHT MORE FISH, AND I THINK WAS TRYING TO FEED THEM , BUT AUDREY WOULD NOT LET HIM HAVE MUCH TIME TO TRY, SHE TOOK THE FISH, ATE VERY FAST, FEEDING THE BABIES AS SHE WAS TAKING BITES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH MAYBE THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH FOR TODAY, DEPENDS ON WHAT COREYGIRL SAYS THAT SHE SAW. THAT WIND IS A LOUD GUSTY MESS !! SHE THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED WITH GUESS WHAT ???????????? THE EGG !!~~ OBSESSED WITH IT STILL, BLESS HER HEART.
Just watched Audrey feed chicks; BOTH got fed; Audrey made sure each one got fish. Tom just came to the nest w/a big stick and dropped it on a baby! He quickly tried to pick it up, but baby was stuck under it a bit, and Audrey helped move the stick…close one! The baby had a time getting out from under the stick for a second…..He/she is ok, now tucking under Audrey as storms approach…..Hunkering down now…
Hello everyone, I am a new to this, and could not be happier that I found it, all of you and these gorgeous birds!
The nest just seems too small for Tom and Audrey’s family. Then as the little ones grow, where on earth is mom and dad going to sit/lay?. Is this the “normal, average” size platform for Ospreys?
By they way, I am so hooked that I get so little done, watching this amazing couple, but wouldn’t trade it for the world! THANK YOU! 🙂
Bella, the parents use the camera as a perch and at one time, there was a second perch to the lower left of the nest, but since the new perch was erected I have not seen the second perch. Here’s the link showing the old perch.
https://ospreycamerablog.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/dsc_1172.jpg?w=300&h=200
Maybe someone else can clarify this point.
Yes this is big enough for the family. The nest has a wide rim and they will keep on building it to add room as they grow. As time goes by the chicks sometimes go right up to the edge to look over it and it seems very dangerous but they have never fallen “overboard”. There appears to be a natural instinct to not do it. I believe they are getting their fishing skills in keeping watch what’s in the water. You can watch videos from last year and others on the facebook page for this site. They are wonderful to see and might answer questions you have. Let me know Bella. Have a good day everyone and Happy Father’s to all as well. All fed and cozy for now.
TOM RETURNED, OF ALL THE TIMES IN THE WORLD, WIND BLOWING, TIDE UP, AND EVERYONE TUCKED AWAY, HE BROUGHT FURNISHING , AND JUST LAID IT ON TOP OF AUDREY, SHE TRIED TO MOVE IT WHILE SITTING, BUT DID NOT WORK, HAD TO GET UP, SHE WANTED A TWIG TO PUT ON IT, BUT TOM TOOK THAT, THEN HE STARTED ARRANGING BIG LIMBS, AND THEN JUST FLEW OFF, ~!! GO FIGURE !~~~~
BELLA, WELCOME TO MY WORLD, YOU WON’T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY LEAVE !!! TOO FUNNY ~~~~~~~THEY WILL ADD TO THE NEST, MORE SECURE, AND HIGHER ON THE SIDES, KEEP ADDING SOFT MATERIAL ON THE INSIDE. EVENTUALLY THE CHICKS, IF ALL GOES WELL WILL TAKE UP THE NEST, AND THE PARENTS, WILL STAND SIT WHATEVER THEY CAN DO. I HAVE SEEN AUDREY STAND ON ONE FOOT FOR HOURS ON END. I HOPE NO ONE NEEDS TO USE THE REST ROOM, AUDREY HAS THEM ON LOCK DOWN !~~~~~STAY TUNED !!!
AUDREY AND THE BABIES, ARE NOW HAVING RAIN AGAIN, AT LEAST THEY ARE ALL FED, AND TUCKED UNDER HER WINGS !! BLESS HER HEART !! TOMORROW IS FATHERS DAY, TOM MAKE US PROUD , YOU HAVE DONE WELL SO FAR !1
Lots of lightning right now allowing us to see the nest at times. Audrey has flattened herself into the nest. Is anyone else having trouble with the sound?
SHE HAS MASHED THOSE BABIES FLAT, BUT THEY WILL COME ALL FLUFFY !!
SORRY SOUND IS FINE, BUT SOMETIMES MY GOES OUT, RIGHT CORNER AT THE BOTTOM, JUST DICKER WITH IT !! HOPE IT WORKS !! WOW THAT RAIN, AND WIND IS GOING ON , HOPING THEY ARE SAFE !!~
I can see poor Audrey laying flat in the nest too……the sound is working fine for me!! Lot’s of lightning!!
It’s pouring!!!! Bless her heart….such a devoted Mom!
Yes lots of lightning, checked the Falcons lots of lightning off to
the left to far off to light up the nesting area they have to be
wet and uncomfortable Mom can’t shelter them like Audrey
does
7:40am – Happy Summer Solstice everyone! WOW – those storms that moved through last night were amazing! I was surprised that the thunder was not as bad by the time it got to the nest. It was the type of thunder that sounded like it was hitting the roof of our home! There were tornado warnings in Baltimore which is Northwest of the nest. I was thinking of our little family. I did manage to get near a computer and see Audrey flattened out during the flashes of lightning. She is sitting quietly at this time. The sparrows are twittering away.
Kathy – by now others have told you about Audrey feeding both chicks. The larger one does get more because he is positioned at the right spot when the food is being presented, but Audrey does seem to make sure the little guy/girl gets food also. It is nice to see they got fed three times last night though.
Well, the morning looks nice today in Laurel, Maryland. I am going to do my mommy duties, my collie has just put his long, beautiful head on my knee – “hey mom, lets go out for a walk before it gets HOT!” I agree!
THE LARGER ONE ALWAYS GETS IN THAT POSITION, BUT AT SOME POINT, I HOPE IT WILL CHANGE, AS IT NORMALLY DOES, I REMEMBER SPITZ, FINALLY SHOWED SOME PERSONALITY,AND JUST FOUGHT AND TOOK THE FISH AWAY FROM BREEZY. MADE MY DAY !!! IT IS NATURE, HOPEFULLY THIS ONE WILL HAVE SOME SPUNK., IT IS A LITTLE HARD WHEN IT IS SO HOT, TO HAVE TO FIGHT. I THINK ALL IN ALL THEY ARE DOING WELL. THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME .I DO WONDER WHAT WE HAVE , TWO BOYS, GIRLS, OR ONE OF EACH. SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. I JUST SAW TOM TRYING TO FEED THEM, HE NEEDS PRACTICE, BUT DOING WELL ON FATHERS DAY. THE OLD TOM, COULD RIP THE FISH OFF, AND FEED IN HIGH SPEED !! I AM SO PLEASED THAT THEY ARE GETTING FED, AND YES THEY GOT MORE YESTERDAY, LATER IN THE DAY. PRAYERS FOR ALL !~~
It’s a beautiful morning on the Bay! Sun shining off the water, and Audrey and Tom in the nest, both babies being fed…so nice to see after those storms rolled through last night!
Just checked on Audrey and Babies, Larger baby is upright and
looking out beyond the nest and doing that little movement with its
head ..Looking at something and moving its head back and forth .
Like its trying to get a better look and can’t believe what it is seeing
The smaller one isn’t moving much ..Hope it’s OK!
Thinking its time for Tom to start bringing in sticks to bolster up the
sides of the nest so those little ones don’t fall off when they get more
adventuresome and we know they will! ..HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TOM.
Both babies are moving a lot…bonking each other around:) Wish my sound worked:(. Anyone else having sound problems? Sound is otherwise working on this iPad!
Happy Fathers day Tom! You’ve become a wonderful dad and mate to your beautiful family!
Happy Fathers Day to All!, Enjoy your day! 🙂
I am having trouble not getting any sound also! Have tried everything. Any suggestions?
GO TO THE LOWER RIGHT SITE OF PAGE, AND LOOK FOR THE VOLUME CONTROL. PLAY WITH IT, AND SEE IF IT IS WORKING , SOMETIMES MINE GOES OFF !!
Thanks Kathy B. I’ve tried that but with no luck:(. I didn’t have this problem last year!
Good afternoon and Happy Father’s Day to all! Just checked on the ospreyzone.com cam ,long island, there are three babies and one little one doesn’t get much to eat; now two babies are at side of nest on what appears to be a piece of trash….the smallest one is in the middle of the nest, but can’t seem to get up, too weak, just his little legs move! Too upsetting to see….mom osprey looks on…..too upsetting to watch that cam right now! So glad Audrey and Tom are doing well with their babies!
I am also having trouble with no sound. Tried everything. Can’t get on IPhone or IPad
Only see one falcon baby far left right now…I wonder where they go all day?
Note to all—there is a new post today, good place to leave your comments now.
I just joined the blog. I have been watching the cam since they were hatched. I am totally fascinated! I love when they are all together as a family. I was wondering what that thing is in the nest. It looks like a piece of foam.
Hi, Marleeen, it’s Mrs. COM. If you want to get into the discussions, you should go to the newest posting and post your comments there. Everyone posts on the newest blog entry. There is a glove in the nest, must haven been floating out in the Bay. Welcome, glad you are with us. Please go to the newest blog entry to join in with everyone, there are hundreds of comments there. Thanks for reading our blogs and watching our camera. Mrs. COM