May 01, 2007
Gallery Update
The first thing I wanted to mention in this web log entry is an osprey cam that I forgot to include in the last web log post when I talked about other osprey nests on the Web. This beautiful osprey cam is located in Finland and has perhaps the best view of any osprey nest I've seen. Here is a photo of the locale during the nesting season, when the view is breathtaking. And on the flipside, a photo of the nest during the winter season. Still impressive, but now we see why ospreys migrate. :-)
I also wanted to mention an Ohio Peregrine Falcon Cam that one of our cam watchers alerted me to. The birds are getting very close to egg hatching, so be sure to check out this attractive site.
Gallery Update:
I posted an Osprey Gallery update today and it includes many interesting shots of the mini-soap opera that we have going on at our nest. It's clear that the couple at the nest is trying very hard to proceed with further egg laying but it remains to be seen if they'll be successful. In case you're joining us late, competition from a third osprey doomed the couple's first egg, so now we're in "wait mode" as we patiently watch to see if our couple can re-group and make another attempt.
In the Gallery, we see lots of positive activity such as mating, nest building, and even the female molding the nest cup for a possible egg.
But mixed in with these photos are more signs of unrest: ospreys diving, ospreys ducking, and even one amazing shot where all three competing ospreys were briefly on the nest together.
So what does all this mean for our eggs? I actually have no idea.
I still think we might see an egg or two if the couple keeps up their current activity as seen in the Gallery. But it's hard to say if any future eggs will survive if the third osprey keeps harassing the resident couple. So right now we're just taking the nest one day at a time, and we hope that at some point, the third osprey will tire of fighting and leave our couple alone.
Some cam watchers have asked if there is a last-possible-date for egg laying. One year we did have ospreys lay eggs in early May, but that was the latest we've seen, so I would guess that we would need eggs by the end of May if we're going to see a family this year.
Paddling at Blackwater:
Now that warmer weather is here, I wanted to talk a little about the paddling trails at Blackwater Refuge. Many folks might not realize that the Refuge has three paddling trails that visitors can use to explore the more hidden areas of Blackwater. In fact in 2006, our trails earned the title of "Recommended Water Trails for 2006" by the American Canoe Association.
While we don't rent canoes/kayaks at the Refuge, there are several outfitters nearby that will rent to you. And if you are new to paddling and want some guidance, these outfitters can also offer you a guided trip for a fee (scroll to the bottom of our Paddling page to find the outfitters' contact information).
If you are paddling on your own, we do recommend that you get a paddling map from our online store (or from our Visitor Center store at the Refuge) as the marsh grass can make navigating a challenge, and cell phones don't often work out in the marsh. And although the water on the trails is often shallow, we do encourage you to stay in your boat as the wet muck can be very difficult to walk in if you try to exit your boat while out in the marsh.
The Friends of Blackwater created these paddling trails because much of Blackwater Refuge is wetlands, and paddling is sometimes the best way to see wildlife up-close. The spring and early summer are an especially good time to paddle as the plants are in bloom and ospreys and eagles are often flying about. Since birds don't usually see people on the water, and since paddling is a quiet means of transportation, you can frequently sneak up on birds and other wildlife that would not normally let you get so close. And if you are really lucky, you might even see a raptor fishing out on the water.
Robert Woodard, Patty String, and Frank Lineberger are three kayakers who have paddled the trails at Blackwater Refuge and were kind enough to share their photos with me. I've posted several of their images below, so click on the thumbnails to get a taste of how the wetlands and wildlife look from one of our paddling trails.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
If you'd like to learn more about the trails, be sure to visit the Paddling page on our website.
Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster
(contact)