Month: March 2018

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What’s what and who is where?!

A number of nonresident females have visited this year, at least seven to date (March 30). In the 2017 season, there were only three.

On March 23, the day after dad arrived, a nonresident female (NRF18-4) came in and was misidentified as the resident female. On March 27, a different nonresident (NRF18-5) set up housekeeping, and it was determined that neither she nor NRF18-4 were the resident female.

Key physical markers for mom that have persisted through the years are a half-crescent under the eye and dark spots on the sides under wings, and neither of the visiting ladies match. Behavior doesn’t fit, either. This current female is quiet (no-fish calling) and shows no interest in nest building, unlike mom. Matings are awkward and less than half mange to complete. It’s likely her first season, so she’s inexperienced in housekeeping and partner interactions.

Mom’s arrival window based on past years is March 25-April 4, so she could still arrive any day.

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Welcome home, dad!

No Ospreys were spotted on cam or by ground observers until 5:12pm when the resident male landed on the nest perch with a fish!  After his meal he spent a bit of time on the nest and was harassed by a Red-winged Blackbird as a welcome home gift. Videos below.

We’ll be watching for him to start “nestorations” tomorrow, bringing in sticks (and Osprey treasures), tidying up, and digging the nest cup. We may have a non-resident settle in before mom arrives. Her window of arrival in past years is March 25-April 4.

Dad lands on the nest for the 1st time this season

Red-winged Blackbird greets dad

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Non-resident female visits

The non-resident female (NRF18-2) spent hours on the nest and cam platform today. This is her third day in the area. At one point, she took off, possibly after a goose (video below). The resident female often dives on geese both on Cattail Pond and other nearby bodies of water.

The Boulder County cam op also treated us to a close-up view of this beauty. (video below)

Video: Listen 10 seconds after she takes off. There is an Osprey call and then a goose squawk.

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The second nonresident female settled in

We were treated to another cam close-up of the male Northern Flicker drumming on the cam platform, this time with a prospective mate watching!

Overall a quiet day on the nest (apart from the flicker’s drumming). Only one raven visited, late in the afternoon, and single starlings a few times. A non-resident female (Female18-2) had the longest stay yet of a little over 30 minutes on the nest and another (at least) two hour stint on the cam platform. Videos below.

At 5:48pm she was spotted by a ground observer (JJ) near Izaak Walton Pond, the only Osprey spotted anywhere in the area. It’s still early in the season, and she may well be the only returnee at this point. We expect to see activity pick up by this time next week!

Female18-1 (excerpt of her visit)

Northern Flicker and his prospective mate.

Raven

 

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Hello, Mr. Flicker!

2018-03-14 Northern Flicker on cam platform

The Boulder County cam operator treated us with a close-up view of the Northern Flicker that’s been hammering on the cam pole. Video below.

The ravens made several visits in the morning hours foraging for sticks. At one point, one of them brought two sticks to the nest, left them, and departed with a “better” stick. Clever birds! Video below.

A non-resident female Osprey, possibly Female18-1, spent about ten minutes standing on the nest today (no housekeeping), and no other Ospreys were seen or heard. Video below.



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Visits by non-resident female and more ravens

The non-resident female visited the nest three time in the morning, one time driving off a raven. Video below.

The ravens were on the nest about a half dozen times, sorting through nest materials and taking sticks. Video below. A ground observer spotted them building  a nest in the rafters of the Boulder County Fairgrounds grandstand. Those smart birdies know where to shop for pre-selected sticks!


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Ravens, a Flicker, and another visit from NRF18-1

Ravens foraging for nesting materials

A pair of ravens decided the nest was a treasure trove of nesting materials both in the morning and afternoon. After picking through the dried grass clumps and rails, they made off with some choice sticks. 2 videos below.

Ravens will predate eggs and young chicks, but in previous years, the adult Ospreys have been enough of a formidable deterrent and kept them away from the nest and off camera.

A little later a Northern Flicker vocalized and hammered on the cam pole, and then, at 8:54am, Female18-1 (from yesterday) arrived on the nest for a visit of a little over 20 minutes, and she made another appearance in the afternoon for a closeup video! Audio and 2 videos below.

AUDIO: Northern Flicker hammering on cam pole.

VIDEO x 2: Ravens

VIDEO: Excerpt of visit by Female18-1

VIDEO: Closeup of Female18-1

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First osprey of the season!

Female osprey visits the nest.

At about 4:36pm nest time, a female osprey flew from the cam platform to the nest. She hung out for about 10 minutes before flying off to Izaac Walton pond for a fish dinner (as reported by ground observer, JJ). [Female 18-1] Video below.

Last year, the first bird (also a female) visited on the 13th and 15th. She came back on the 20th and played house with the resident male until the resident female arrived on the 25th.

In the past 3 years, the male has arrived on March 29 (2015), March 20 (2016), and March 19 (2017). It won’t be long now!

This morning, a Northern Flicker hammered on the perches for a while, then flew to the cam pole for more hammering. It even shook the pole. Video below.

Female18-1 markings

VIDEO: Female18-1 visits.

VIDEO: Northern Flicker hammering.