Almost Time for SOLO to head south

Solo is still using the nest as home base and will continue to do so until he migrates in September. The female adult usually migrates first, while the male adult remains behind to help the young with meals. The male will migrate about the same time as the young, which is a few weeks after the mother, depending on the chicks' development. All but the southernmost breeding populations in North America are migratory, vacating their breeding grounds in late summer for rain-forest rivers and fish-rich seacoasts and lakes of Central and South America.

Solo has Fledged

I have been checking the webcam everyday expecting to see an empty nest, but I could always see at least one osprey on the nest.  This morning I was actually able to witness an empty nest for a short while.  

Solo will be flying around the nest area from perch to perch and then gradually venturing further from the nest. Soon he will be learning to fish....meanwhile the parents will still be providing fish prey for him. So, stay tuned. 

"Solo" almost ready for his solo flight.

Solo (on the left) is full grown now...as big as Mom (center) and Pop (right).  Within the next week or so he will be ready to fledge (fly from the nest).  Fledging will be a little later this year because of the late hatch.  Watch for a lot of wing exercises as he prepares his flight muscles for the big event.

SOLO the Osprey

The osprey pair near the refuge visitor center is happy to announce the arrival of their one and only chick this season. Its name is “Solo.” It arrived several days late but is growing rapidly. With only one chick to feed, Mom and Pop osprey have a bit more time to loaf around the nest and watch over Solo.

Thanks to all those who submitted names for the young osprey: Lone-some Larry, Only, Lonely Lowell, Lovely Flyer, etc. And a thank you also to those who took time to vote. All of the names received a vote or two, but “Solo” was by far the favorite choice. Of course, you may call him/her anything you would like. Just be sure to tune into the webcam once in awhile and watch the chick’s early life unfold. All too soon it will fledge and have to learn that life isn’t necessarily fair and that the daily repast sometimes comes hard to get.

Name the Chick

Here are a couple of views of the osprey chick.  I am soliciting ideas for names.  My first thoughts were Lonesome Larry or Lonely Larue.  Would welcome any other reasonable inputs to rcloydchris@juno,com.

At least One Chick

Just when we thought the nesting attempts may have failed this year, we have verified at least one chick in the nest as of 6/20/2012.  Keep watching.   There may be more.  Report any additional chicks you may see to me at:     rcloydchris@juno.com.   Bob C



Ospreys in the Fog

 Osprey on Webcam Pole

Sitting on Eggs

We are fairly sure now that the female is sitting on eggs.  The next day or two will tell if she will remain faithful to her incubating duties.  Meanwhile the male looks on in anticipation.

Image of Osprey Eggs

Waiting for eggs

Last year the female osprey started incubating eggs on April 23, so she is a few days behind time.  Here's hoping she is gravid and will lay this year.  Stay tuned....Any time now!!!!!

The second Osprey is Back

4/4/2012

The Female showed up today on the webcam. Now the male is busily bringing in fish and sticks to the nest structure to impress his lady friend.

The Osprey is Back

First sighting of the osprey was on March 26th. First reported by our Interns, Kyle and Kash.

Sheryl Faller won the prize for responding she had witnessed the osprey on the nest platform. Interesting note: The male is bringing sticks to the land based nest/perch sturcture rather than the traditional nest site on the water based pole. We will see what is mate thinks about this idea when she shows up...any time now. rcc

Winter Wildlife Snapshots

We have been running the webcam all winter watching for wildlife. Included herein are a view of the snapshots of wintering wildlife. rcc