August 12, 2005
Cam Up
Nest Update: First, thanks to everyone for their patience while we fixed the storm damage to our equipment. During the last week, we basically replaced every piece of field equipment that we had trying to get the cam back online, but fortunately it looks like we're finally up. Tropical Storm Irene is forecasted to miss the Maryland coast, so keep your fingers crossed that she goes out to sea, and misses the ospreys and our cam equipment.
Our cam technician -- who we thank wholeheartedly for his work this week -- said that when they were on the ground working on the equipment, the youngest osprey chick was staying in the nest but flapping its wings a lot. This seems to indicate it's not flying yet or maybe just started. Since migration is not far away, the littlest needs to get out of the nest soon and learn to fish. It's good to see that an adult has been at the nest (I assume it's the mother). Hopefully one of the parents will stay around for as long as the youngest needs them.
Also, I thought I'd post four photos that I took around the platform while the camera was having its problems. These photos were taken during a cloudy, misty morning, but they're clear enough to give cam watchers some perspective on the ospreys' whole environment.
Photo 1 shows the cam platform and surrounding shrubbery. An osprey is flying in low at the bottom of the photo. Photo 2 shows the oldest fledgling coming in for a landing. Photo 3 shows a lone osprey perched above a favorite fishing spot on the Blackwater River. I'm not sure which osprey this is, but it may be the father osprey from the cam platform. Photo 4 shows an empty osprey water platform located on the Blackwater River.
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We want to thank everyone again for their patience as we worked through our first major hiccup this season with the ospreys. If we're lucky, it will be the only major problem we have before the birds migrate during the coming weeks.
Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster