I was thinking one day of the daily life of an osprey and how the daily pattern changed throughout the year. I thought how different this was from human's daily patterns, then I had an insight. The patterns are the same, based on the biology of reproducing and raising progeny. The difference is in the timing. While humans take many years to raise a family, the osprey pattern is compressed into a year. What humans do once, ospreys do every year for up to 20 years.
Rosie and Richie's year starts with Rosie's return to the nest. They get to know each other again, copulate (CK or cloacal kiss is used by chatters as shorthand). Richie re-establishes the connection by bringing Rosie fish and other presents. They both bring sticks, grass and other items to prepare the nest for the chicks. After a few weeks of this, Rosie lays the eggs, usually three. This happens in the space of a week, each egg one to two days after the previous. Now Rosie spends more time on the nest, incubating. Richie does some incubating too and also continues to bring fish. Rosie takes some breaks to fly off for a poop or even to catch her own fish. After 34+ days, the chicks hatch. Rosie is more restless during this period, although she stays on the nest. This is much like the newly wed humans, at first into themselves as a couple then focussed on the coming baby, setting up the nursery. 
Once the chicks hatch, Rosie stays on the nest to brood and to feed them. Richie ups his game bringing fish. It is mostly Rosie who feeds but Richie does some. He does not brood much. The chicks sleep, eat and poop.As does the human baby, while the mother nurses it and the father tries to help, sometimes needing a helpful nudge from the mother. What is it she really wants?
The chicks grow quickly and the parents build up the nest to keep their offspring safe. They also warn off all intruders. Put up baby gates and lock the door? Screen visitors? Sometimes the chicks/children squabble, establishing a pecking order, but as they mature, this fighting stops. All too soon, the offspring are ready to try their wings, the human children figuratively, the birds in reality. They make some attempts then one day they fly but many return to the nest for meals, after spending the day with friends. Remember Brisa and Rivet screaming, "I'm home! Where's my fish?" Or a teenager slamming the door, "I'm home, what's for supper?"
Then they truly fledge, fly off to establish their own lives. They live a few years independently,  associating with other young ones like themselves, learning to be an adult. They may stop by home, asking to stay for a while, but their parents tell them they have left the nest. And one day, they find a mate, build a nest, and the cycle starts all over again. 
Sound familiar?
Now, imagine raising a family once a year instead of once in a lifetime!

The chatters and lurkers of the Whirley Crane have witnessed this cycle two times now and are on their third year of watching. Each year, there have been more watchers and more documentation. I have tried in my posts to summarize these in text and caps both as memory for the long timers and as an overview for newcomers. Please let me know how this can be improved to meet your needs. And thanks to all who let me use their wonderful caps and gifs. And of course, thanks to the GGAS and all the essential people-Cindy, Tony\, Moderator John who make all this possible! 

​


Facts and Figures in Nuce
This is information particular to "our" birds. For more general information, consult Alan F. Poole's two books. 
For a more detailed report and photos, see individual themed posts.

​Banding:

Name                       Band                Date              Bird Weight          Likely Gender (based on weight)

Whirley                      WB                  6/16/17           1583                     male
Rivet                          ZR                   6/16/17           1618                     male
 
Roemer                   VW                   6/21/18            1600                      male
Victory (Vic)             VU                    6/21/18            1530                      male
Brisa                        VV                    6/21/18            1876                      female

Peace-up                 WP                   6/15/19            1495                      male     
Kiskasit                     ZK                   6/15/19            1600                      female


Information provided by Tony Brake, our resident osprey expert and "caretaker" of the East Bay osprey nests.                               

With his family flown and Rosie down South, Richie spends little time on the nest in the Winter. He spends his days on various perches, watching and fishing. He spends some nights on the Richmond Yacht Club nest and other nights in parts unknown.   But he does keep an eye on his nest. When an intruder comes to the nest, Richie is there to chase it away.

A camera was first installed on the Whirley Crane nest on February 14, 2017. (It had been installed earlier but needed repairs). The ospreys had already built a nest atop the crane in earlier years, however. It appears that Rosie had nested before on the nest, but with a different male. Now, with the camera, their lives could be observed 24 hours a day. A website was set up on March 29 for the public to watch as well, and a chat group formed. Many became regulars and eventually called themselves the WWOC (World's Worst or Wackiest Osprey Chat) for their tendency to wander from subject to subject. Many others were lurkers, watching but not joining chat. 

Rosie arrived at some point. I do not have the date or a photo. She and Richie mated and spent time together. 

In 2018, the chat was all ready established. The GGAS was kind enough to leave the cam and chat site up all Winter and the chatters were eagerly watching the nest. Richie roosted offsite, but made occasional visits to the nest to establish proprietary rights and then to watch for Rosie. The lighting was spectacular that season, with sparkles and halos. 

The nest was rather dilapidated at that point. Richie began bringing sticks, as he awaited Rosie's return. 

Then on March 2 in the early evening, Rosie arrived, heralded by a rainbow.

Richie, who may have been having a little tryst with the female (named Eileen by chatters) at the Richmond Yacht Club nest and who had dealt with a female intruder (Theda) at the Whirley nest, lost no time in reconnecting with his Rosie. He immediately began to help fix up the nest (nestorate), bringing sticks, eelgrass...and various other items. 

And Rosie got right to work, using the materials he brought to make a comfortable nest bowl and a nest railing. 

​In 2019, Richie didn't visit as often in January, possible due to more rain or because there were no serious challengers. In February, he has been coming regularly, usually in the morning. We do not have many good photos since the close-up nest cam was down for a while. 

On February 23, at 2:22 pm, Rosie arrived without fanfare and a week earlier than last year, catching chatters by surprise. Luckily, the camera was now reinstalled, with a new self- washing mechanism. 

Richie lost no time bringing her fish and a gift. 

At first, there was  less action. Richie was not been seen much on the nest. Perhaps he was spending time at the Richmond Yacht Club still. Rosie sat all day  Feb. 25, in the driving rain. She finally flew off later in the day. 

When the weather became warmer and sunnier, the couple upped their game. Richie finally began bringing fish to Rosie and both brought sticks and grass to make the nest bowl. And they began to copulate.

Some things remained the same: together on the nest watching the Bay, the big car ships and the famous pivot, Richie bringing fish, Rosie demanding and grabbing her fish, nestorating..

But every year has its differences and surprises: there is a new ferry, the chatters have upped their game, with some stunning caps, especially of flight, and with gifs and videos. And Richie has changed his color preference in gifts. Teal is the new deal. 

The couple was also a bit slow to get started with copulation. But when the weather improved, they got to it. This year, the chatters are not only logging fish brought to the nest but also the CK's (cloacal kisses aka copulation). Osprey sexual organs shrink during off season. They must both be receptive for copulation. This year, despite her earlier arrival, Rosie was not receptive at first. But that soon changed. By egg-laying time, chatters had reported-- and Robin charted-- 100 successful copulations. 

Egg laying is a peaceful time. After a successful CK(cloacal kiss, i.e. copulation) Rosie lays an egg about 25 hours later. There is little fanfare. This year, longtime watchers learned to recognize the signs and were ready when Rosie laid her eggs.. After one egg, there must be another successful CK then another egg is laid. Rosie laid 2 eggs in 2017, 3 in 2018 and 2019. Three eggs is common. The eggs are laid about three days apart. The female may sit less on the first egg, in order to slow its growth, so that all three eggs hatch closer together. A chick hatched much later than its siblings does not fare as well. 

Rosie laid three eggs in 2019, on March 31, April 3 and April 6. These dates were very close to the 2018 dates, despite her earlier arrival to the nest. Once she lays her eggs, she spends most of the time on the nest. Richie's role is to bring her fish. Both ospreys continue to bring nest material, especially soft grasses for the nest bowl. 

However, in 2019, Richie requested and received more incubation time. He seems to love scorching onto the nest to keep the eggs warm.The scooching is to position the brood patch (a bare patch on the chest).  Perhaps he likes the warmth too. This led to some humorous episodes, with Rosie nudging Richie off the eggs or Richie bringing a fish to Rosie then hurriedly grabbing his place on the eggs while she flew off to eat the fish. Rosie, in turn, began to catch more of her own fish. 
The teal gifts disappeared gradually, but a grinning monkey took their place. Rosie allowed the monkey to stay, although she pushed it to the edge of the nest, where it lay waving to the passing boats before being obscured by a large tuft of grass. 

Rosie appears to be doing more of her own fishing lately. She has been seen with a fish only a few times, but she is often wet and does not beg for fish. So Richie is nesting more and Rosie is fishing more. An interesting twist. 

Not often, but sometimes, both ospreys are on the nest. Richie is always on guard, whether on the nest or nearby. The moment an intruder flies by, he chirps a warning and flies to the crane or the nest, ready to defend his new family. Richie is proving himself to be a good father this year. 

Diary of an Osprey Chick
Rivet’s Diary 2017
 
 
Mother’s Day, May 14 Day1
I hatched out of my egg today. I pecked and pecked and then I was out! My mother came over to look at me then she covered me with her body. It is warm and cozy in the nest. 
Happy Mother’s Day, Momma.
There is another baby bird here. She hatched two days before me, so she is bigger than I am. 
 
May 18 Day 5
Here comes Poppa with a fish. Breakfast! My big sister gets fed first. I open my beak and crane my neck but Momma only feeds my sister. Finally, she is full. Momma turns to me. I open my beak. She turns her head sideways and with her big, sharp beak, carefully puts a bite in my mouth. 
 
May 20 Day 7
Momma and Poppa have to be careful walking around the nest. They have such big talons and they don’t want to step on us.  Momma stays in the nest mostly so we can sleep under her. Poppa sits on the high rail to watch for intruders. When Momma calls him, he goes out to catch a fish and brings it to us. 
 
Momma brought some new eel grass today. She put it in the middle of our nest. It is so warm and cozy. I think I’ll take a nap. 
I am too big to sleep under Momma now. When it is cold, I snuggle next to Sister. She usually lets me if she is sleepy. Today, she put her wing over me while we were sleeping. But she doesn’t like me looking at her. I wonder why.
 
 
May 23 Day 10
Today, Poppa brought Momma a stick. She arranged the nest and made a railing to keep us from falling out. My sister goes close to the railing, but I like to stay next to Momma where it is warm. 
After eating, Sister crouched down, lifted her hind end and shot out a long line of white poop. She just missed hitting me in the head. So later, I did the same. I missed her, but my poop shot was longer than hers.
 
Momma brought some new grass. It is soft and warm. After eating, my sister and I both took a long nap. She slept next to me and didn’t peck me once. 
 
I can walk on my knees now. Hurray. Now I can get to the fish faster. 

May 26 Day 13___
Today, Poppa flew in with a red baseball cap. We can’t eat that! Momma picked up the cap and flew away with it. She dropped it in the bay. Then Poppa brought a fish. He had already eaten the head. Momma fed us the tender parts. She ate the hard, stringy pieces herself. This time, she fed me more. 
 
May_27 Day 14
My sister is still bigger. She can walk around a bit now. Today, she stood up and began to peck me on the head. She kept pecking. I didn’t know what to do, so I crouched down and pretended to be sleeping. She stopped then. 
 
My sister keeps bullying me. She stands up and pecks at me. Now I fight back. But she wins and I crouch down. I think she does it when she is hungry. When she is sleepy, she comes over and lies down next to me. This morning, she slept with her head on me. That was cozy.
 
My sister has stronger wings now. She crawls out from under Momma and looks at the world. She flaps her wings a bit. She even walks around. I like to stay where it is warm. I suppose my legs and wings will get stronger too, when I am her age. 
 
 
May 29 Day 16
We got up early and were really hungry. Poppa had a fish. He ate the head then he dropped the fish on the ground below. Momma was not happy. She yelled at him. Later, Poppa brought another big fish. Momma fed us. This time, I pushed in front of my sister and got the first bites. Then when she was finished, I went back for seconds. Now I’m full. 
Momma just flew off. 
I looked at my sister and she looked back at me, craning her neck. She had an evil look in her eye, like she was going to fight me. But then she lay down again, so I did too. I just want her to talk to me. Why does she want to fight?
Poppa came back with a red plastic thing. He pushed it into the nest by the railing. 
 
We like to lie looking out at the bay. We can see sailboats, seagulls, even great big ships going by. One just blew a loud horn. But Momma didn’t call out so I guess there is no danger. 
 
Sister is getting her feathers. They must be itchy because she keeps pecking at them. 
 
May 30 Day 17
I was sitting next to Sister watching the Bay. I stood up to look at her and she looked back at me like she was saying “Why are you looking at me?” We fought a bit, but this time I didn’t back down. We stopped after a few minutes. 
When we aren’t fighting, Sister and I like to sit next to each other. It is warmer that way. 
Both of us have feathers coming in! Exciting but they sure are itchy. 
Momma took the red plastic thing and pushed it to the edge of the nest. It blew away. I think Poppa likes red things. Momma likes sticks and other natural things, not human trash. 
I just woke up. I went over to Sister to wake her up, but she wants to keep sleeping. I just lay down beside her. I don’t want to wake her up and make her mad. 
 
June 5 Day 23
Sister has her feathers now. She looks so nice. I am getting my feathers in too. Today I found I could stretch my wings and flap them a bit.  I am so proud. Of course, Sister can already do this. 
Sister sits watching the Bay. She does that a lot now. Maybe that is why she isn’t picking on me as much now. 
Momma was arranging the nest. She picked up big sticks and put them on the edge of the nest so Sister and I won’t fall out. I went over by her and I picked up sticks too. But I can only pick up little ones. Momma watched me and I felt proud. There is a red flag right in the middle of our nest. I like to look at it. 
 
A quiet morning. It is sunny and not too windy today.  Momma is watching quietly. Sister and I are lying next to each other, looking out of the nest at the view.  Sister is being nice to me today. So when I needed to poop, I aimed it toward the Bay not toward her.
 
Momma pushed the red flag out of the nest. 
 
June 6, Day 24
Momma left us alone this morning. It was okay; we just slept. But then a big bird came by. I was on the alert, while Sister slept. I had to guard the nest. Then Momma returned and she called Poppa. He came too, with a fish. They scared away the intruder then Momma fed us the fish. Sister tried to take bites from the fish by herself today. I let Momma feed me. 
 
June 7, Day 25
Poppa brought a big fish for breakfast. Momma fed both of us then she flew off. I crawled over by Sister and snuggled against her. This time, she let me do it and didn’t move away. I even put my wing over her. It’s warmer when we lie close together. 
 
There is a lot of activity by the humans below. They are making a lot of noise. It doesn’t seem to bother Momma, so I’m not worried. I like to watch them. 
 
There is a big box that looks at us. When I needed to poop, I aimed right at it. Bulls-Eye!
 
June 8, Day 26
It’s raining this morning. Sister is sleeping next to Momma, but I put my head under her chest to sleep. If my head is warm, the rest of me is warm. I like to stay by Momma. 
 
Momma brought in a wire fence. She put it on the edge of the nest. Is that to keep us in?
 
 
June 9. Day27
Now the fence is between Sister and me. Is Momma trying to keep us from fighting? But we don’t fight anymore. I moved around the fence to lie near Sister. She keeps me warm. 
 
Poppa brought a fish. Momma fed most of it to me. Sister wasn’t interested. Poppa returned and stood by us. He wanted the fish. When Momma was distracted, he moved in and grabbed the fish. They argued a bit then Momma let him have it. He flew away to eat the fish in peace. I wish they wouldn’t fight. 
 
My wings are getting so big! Every once in awhile, I have to stretch them out. Sister’s wings are even bigger. Maybe we’ll be as big as Momma and Poppa some day!
 
Sister sat against the wire fence watching. I lay by Momma. I’ll let her do the watching while I sleep.
 
Sister was pecking at the fence. Poppa brought a fish. It got caught in the fence. He flew off with the fish and the fence. Good! I didn’t like that fence. 
 
June 12, Day 30
I am growing a tail! Sister’s tail is already long. She can walk on her feet now, too. When will I start doing that?
 
Momma and Poppa are on the boom of the crane yelling at an intruder. A big bird just flew over us. Sister and I crouched down so it couldn’t see us. Poppa flew after it. He will protect us. 
 
Sister and I helped Momma move a stick. Later, when Momma left, Sister worked on the nest by herself.
 
Poppa brought in a big clump of seaweed today. Momma is trying to figure out what to do with it. 
 
June 13, Day 31
Momma and Poppa are both on the boom, high up. Sister is flapping her wings trying to get up there too. Me? I’ll stay down here in the warm, safe nest. 
 
My wings are so big now! I have trouble controlling them. Sometimes, I like to stretch them far out. 
 
Sister came over to sit by me. I like it when she does that. We are watching the Bay, just like Momma and Poppa do. 
 
June 14, Day 32
Momma returned to the nest and dumped a big pile of green slimy stuff on me. Why did she do that? 
It’s cold tonight, so I tried to get my head under Momma. She dug a little hole for my head then she covered me. Now I am warm. Sister is sleeping by us. Poppa is keeping watch on the boom. He sleeps standing up. How does he do that? Doesn’t he get cold?
 
June 15, Day 33
My feathers are coming in. They itch a lot. 
 
A lot of noise today from the humans below. Momma doesn’t like it and keeps yelling at them. I don’t like it either. It makes me anxious.
 
June 16, Day 34
 Today was an exciting day. After our midmorning fish, a large human hand poked a stick into the nest. Sister and I flattened down like we’re supposed to do when there is danger.  The hand reached into the nest and took Sister then me. Then all went dark. I felt myself going down. Then the hand took me out of the bag I was in and put something around my leg then around the other leg. It didn’t hurt. The hand put us back in the sack, I felt it going up, then I was back in the nest. Sister was there too. She had things on her legs also. We lay down and slept next to each other. Momma was screaming and flying around. Then she landed on the boom. There was hammering below and Momma yelled some more. Then she began to call loudly for Poppa. Finally she settled down. But she wouldn’t come to the nest. 
Finally, Poppa brought a fish. Momma is feeding us and all is well.
 
June 18, Day 36
This morning, the humans made a lot of noise. They were on the ship talking and making music. It made me nervous. I was breathing fast and had to keep watch. It made me tired. Later, Momma came to sit with us and I felt better. 
It was a hot day. Sister and I were panting. 
The music went away and Poppa brought a fish. Momma fed us. The wind brought cooler air. All is well. Sister and I can sleep now. 
 
Sister and I are so big that Momma sits on the railing near us instead of on the nest with us now. That is okay. We both have feathers and don’t get cold now. But I still like to sleep right by Momma when she is in the nest. 
 
June 19, Day 37
Momma brought another net. She is trying to arrange it into the nest. She brought a big branch for the other side. Is she afraid that Sister and I will fall out?
 
June 20, Day 38
Today Sister stood up and spread her wings, then she flapped them. I watched her then I did the same. I can stand on my feet now too, just like she does. 
 
June 22, Day 40
Poppa brought a little fish today. He just left it. Momma wasn’t there. So Sister took it and she ate it all by herself! At first, she had trouble pulling off the meat, but she learned. She ate a lot. I tried to get in there, but she kept turning away from me. I don’t dare push in, so I‘m just watching.  Now I’m hungry! Oh well, I guess I’ll practice flapping my wings. 
Sister finished. She looks tired. She lay down beside me and we are watching the Bay together. A big ship is passing. We watch it, but it doesn’t seem to mean any harm. 
I can stand on my feet now! I wonder if Poppa will bring a fish for me. I want Momma to feed me. I’m watching for them. 
Oh, good. Here comes Poppa with a fish.  And here is Momma. Now I can eat! 
 
June 23, Day 41
This morning, Poppa brought us a big present. It is a long purple stuffed snake with a red ribbon around its neck. I like it. After breakfast, I walked on it then I played with the ribbon. Momma is arranging it into the nest now.
 
June 24, Day 42
 I like to sleep with my head on the snake’s head. It is soft. But then I go snuggle with Sister. She is soft too, and warm.
This morning, Sister was being fed. So I decided to go over by Poppa to practice my wingflapping. I am getting so good at it! I can even flap and hop at the same time. But my wing hit Poppa in the head and he flew off. Did I chase him away from the nest? I’m sorry, Poppa. I just wanted to show you what I can do. 
 
June 26, Day 44
This morning, Momma brought a fish and left it. I went over to take a bite. But after one bite, Sister came over. She grabbed the fish and dragged it away from me. I didn’t know what to do, so I just stood by her and watched. Why won’t she share? Momma came back and watched us, but she didn’t make Sister share with me. 
Well, Sister is full and left the fish, so now it is my turn. I guess I won’t go hungry after all. 
Momma picked up the snake and put it in the middle of the nest. I wonder why. The red ribbon is still on the edge of the nest, but I don’t play with it anymore. Sister is sleeping with her head on the snake. Maybe that is why it is there. 
 
I am trying to sleep but Sister keeps waking me up with her wing flapping. Whoa, she actually lifted off! Maybe I should try that. Nah, I think I’ll stay here. It’s warm lying down away from the wind. 
 
It is nighttime. I am trying to sleep. But Sister is trying to fly. She almost lost her footing and flew off the nest! Now she is walking around picking up sticks. She just banged me in the head. That is too much! Settle down, Sister and go to sleep. Ah, here is Momma. Now Sister will sleep. All is well. Momma will keep watch. 
 
 
June 28, Day 46
I had a tug of war with Poppa over the fish. He wouldn’t let it go. 
Poppa stands on the snake but I like to sleep with my head on it or next to it. This morning, I slept with my head on Sister instead. 
 
 
June 30, Day 48
Sister and I can both eat by ourselves now. She grabs the fish and won’t let me have it. But today, I grabbed it first and I ate and ate. When she is eating, I pretend I don’t care and I practice my flying instead. Then I preen. Preening takes a long time. I have to oil each feather. And I have a lot of feathers now!
We are getting so big. We can feed ourselves and almost fly. Soon we will leave home. That’s both exciting and scary. I wonder if we will both come back to the nest to visit. 
The snake is on the edge of the nest. We don’t pay any attention to it anymore. We are growing up.
 
July 3, Day 51
Sister just flew off and landed on the cable! I hope she can get back. Now I think I will try. I flap my wings but I can’t make myself go that direction. She looks like she is scared on the cable. I hope she can fly back. Oh, she just crawled back along the cable. Stay here, sister. Lie down next to me. 
Sister flew off again. This time she landed below us. She is just sitting there. Can she get back to the nest? Oh, I am worried. Momma is sitting where she can watch both of us.
Sister finally got really hungry and flew back to the cable then to the nest. Wow! She can really fly now!
 
A lot of noise tonight. There were people below and their cars. That was okay. Then there were loud booms and flashing lights. I lay down and hid. Sister stayed up, watching. Momma stayed nearby to watch. And Poppa flew around, keeping us safe. Finally, the noise ended. Now Momma is on the nest and all is quiet. Sister and I are sleeping standing up tonight, the way our parents do. We are growing up! 
This was a long, exciting day. Maybe tomorrow, I will fly. 
 
July 4
Sister flew away early in the morning when it was still dark. There was a big whoosh and then she was gone.  Where is she? Should I go join her? No, I think I’ll stay here. Momma came to feed me. That was nice. We are all watching and listening for Sister. Did Poppa fly off to go feed her?
 
July 5, Day 53
Sister didn’t return yesterday. I slept alone last night. I missed Sister’s warm body. Momma is keeping watch. Poppa brought a fish. We heard chirping.  Momma and I 
answered. Then Poppa took the fish away. I thought he was taking it to Sister but he ate it on the boom. When he brought the fish back, Momma fed me. I felt better. My crop is full so I’m not going to try flying. I will sit here and watch for Sister.
I tried flying after all! I flew to the boom. It was hard to stay there. But I kept at it. Then I flew farther up. And again. I stayed on the boom a long time. Finally, I got hungry and I flew back to the nest. I can land well!
 
July 6, Day 54
 I am alone on the nest but Momma is nearby. I lie here watching the Bay and once in a while, my wings get antsy so I fly. I am getting so good at flying! I can soar over the Bay, turn and make an easy landing. I am not as adventuresome as Sister. I return to the nest each time. And then Poppa brings a fish! I wonder where Sister is and whether she will ever return? (not bird emotion, okay?)
 
July 7, Day 55
I spent the day in the nest. Momma stayed nearby. Poppa brought a fish several times. Sometimes, I flew up and around, but I came right back to the nest. I like it here. I am not in a hurry to leave. Momma seems to want me here too. She brought a lot of sticks to add to the nest. She even started making a new little nest up on the cable.  Is that to be my very own nest?
Snakey is still in the nest. Sometimes, I like to rest with my tail touching him. Still no Sister. 
 
July 9, Day 57
Every morning now, I stretch my wings and then I fly. I fly over the Bay then circle around and come back. Sometimes I fly with Momma. Then I rest a while or I eat the fish that Poppa brings. I can eat a fish by myself now, but I still have not caught one. At night, I stay in the nest. I wish Sister had done that. Snakey is still in the nest and I like to sit with my tail touching him. Now there is a yellow rope too. 
 
July 14, Day 62
Today I left the nest in the morning and I and didn’t return until evening. I am becoming independent. Soon it will be time for me to leave the nest completely.
I love flying. I can soar above the water and go everywhere. But I always return home to rest. And to get a fish from Momma or Poppa.
 
July 18, Day 66
I was really hungry this morning. I kept calling for Poppa. Momma called too. He brought a fish, but he was eating the head on the boom. Finally he brought it to me. Momma tried to get some too, but I was too hungry to share. I tried to fly away with the fish to eat it on the cable like Momma and Poppa do, but it was caught in a wire mesh and I couldn’t carry it away. So I kept eating in the nest. 
 
 
July 19, Day 67
Today, I was gone a long time. I went to fly with my buddies on the other side of the bridge. I had to fly a long way to get there. When I got back to the nest, Momma and Poppa were not there. I had to scream loudly to get their attention. Finally, Poppa brought a fish to eat. 
Some days, Poppa and I fly together. I am learning about the Bay and how to fish. Momma watches from the railing by the nest. 
 
July 31, Day 79
Every day now, I leave the nest early in the morning. I go out to fly around the Bay and visit my osprey pals. When I am hungry, I come back to the nest. Then Momma or Poppa show up and bring me a fish. I usually sleep in the nest all night. Momma and Poppa often sit nearby on the railing. We are still a family. And the nest is still my home. But for how long?
 
August 1, Day 80
Today, Poppa brought a new red thing. We haven’t had a red gift in a long time. But the wind blew it away. I wonder why he brought it? Is he trying to keep me in the nest longer? Or is it a good-by gift for Momma when she migrates?
I’m wondering if I should migrate. But it is so nice to come back to the nest and find Momma or Poppa with a fish to eat. 
Last night, we all three sat on the railing by the nest to sleep. I can sleep on one foot now, just like Momma and Poppa.
 
August 11, 2017
I am trying to learn to fish but it is hard. I haven’t caught my own fish yet. So I fly to the nest and call for Momma and Poppa. If I scream loud enough they bring me a fish. When they do, now I tell them to go away then I shriek to keep all intruders away. That is what I am supposed to do.
 
Aug. ___
I spent more and more time with my pals up on the point. I can catch my own fish now, so I don’t come to the nest to wait for Momma and Poppa to bring it. I am fully fledged and ready to strike out on my own. 
 
Aug. 20
Yesterday, I flew around with Momma and Poppa. Then I turned and flew off to migrate South. I left a wing feather behind for the humans watching below. I wonder what my new life will be like in the South? Good-by Momma and Poppa. 

May 16, 2019
This Spring I decided to migrate back to my nest. I flew and flew. Finally today, I saw my nest on the crane. I flew straight to it and tried to land. But Momma screeched at me and wouldn't let me in the nest. I guess I have to go find my own place to stay now. 

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All of the following  photos are caps from the Osprey cam, operated by the GGAS and are the property of the GGAS. 

The osprey nest atop the historic Whirley Crane in Pt. Richmond is prime real estate. As they say in the world of realty: location, location, location. For this nest is built on a crane that is unused and part of the Historic Red Oak Victory site. Thus it is protected. It is fenced in so that vandalism is less likely. It is right at the water but not on it, so it is protected from ships, waves and other water activity. And it has a view that is unparalleled. There are other beautiful osprey nests, with forest views, but this one is unique. When the ospreys are nowhere to be seen, the viewer can gaze at the Bay, at Brooks Island, at the city in the distance. The sunrises are spectacular. The sunsets are not bad either. 

Unlike other nests, the view from this nest is ever-changing. There are foggy days, when ghost ships pass, there are rainy days when one views through a glass darkly, and there are sunny days when the crane sparkles. The regular group of chatters likes to wax creative, exclaiming over the sunrise angel and the harbor fairy sparkles. 

There is always activity around the nest. Situated at the working port, there are workers' cars coming and going, the volunteers and visitors to the historic ship Red Oak Victory, and the spanking new cars driving off the car ships that are moored nearby. Bayside, one can see birds, the occasional seal, the changing tides, and boats of all kinds. There is never a dull moment. Even in the dark of night, a raccoon may be spotted by a sharp-eyed viewer. 

But let us not forget that this is a bird nest. In the absence of ospreys, other birds visit. In early 2018, the gulls were regular visitors. They seemed to use the nest as a resting point and a lookout. So far, they have been mostly absent this year, but perhaps they will return in early 2019. The ravens and crows, on the other hand, use it this year and last, as a buffet. They dig deep into the nest to pry out leftovers from the osprey meals. Dried pieces of fish are a delicacy. 
But where are the osprey? Cindy Margulis, director of GGAS, has expressed it clearly: the nest for the ospreys is a nursery not a home. The osprey home is the sky, they roost at night wherever they might be, in Richmond or in Mexico or South America. The nest is where they mate, lay eggs and incubate. It is where they raise their chicks until those chicks fledge. Once the young have fully fledged and can feed themselves, there is no more use for the nest. The fledglings migrate, Rosie migrates too, and Richie finds sheltered places to roost at night and convenient perches for fishing during the day. He makes an occasional visit to the nest to defend it from other ospreys and claim it as his own. As the days lengthen after Winter Solstice, he begins to visit the nest more often, preparing for the day his mate Rosie returns. But that is the subject for another post. Meanwhile, we can enjoy our views from the nest, watching sunrises and sunsets; enjoying gulls, crows, ravens and even an occasional finch; and, like Richie, anticipating the return of Rosie and the beginning of a new osprey season. 

The Whirley Crane is so important and has such a character of its own, that it has its own song: The melody is from The Old Sod Shanty. 

The Nest's Lament

I'm looking rather messy now, while sitting on my crane.
The osprey have all flown off again.
The crows they come to clean me and the gulls, they come to rest,
But I am still a lonely osprey nest.

Oh, my branches are all falling, and the eel grass is all wet.
I have not seen an osprey fly in yet. 
But I am still on the crane through the winter rain,
And I know I'll soon see the osprey again.

For I am an osprey nest, I am an osprey nest,
As long as I am on the crane,
They'll love me the best,
And I'll forever be their osprey nest. 

​-Midi 

The nest is getting a present from the GGAS. A new device attached to the nest cam will now clean the lens so that the chicks' misfires are cleared off. Of course, that means no more creative graffiti by Rivet (ZR) and others. They'll have to find other ways of expressing themselves. 

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 ​The Whirley Crane nest camera is well-situated to capture not only the comings and going of the ospreys and other shorebirds, but also the marine traffic in the ship channel. This has captivated cam watchers, especially when the ospreys are gone and the nest is empty and quiet. 
The behemoth ships that transport cars are a favorite. They are a pretty  light blue, large and ride high in the water. Their names are fun too: Iris Leader, Poseidon Leader, Swift Ace. They come down the channel accompanied by two tugs, tiny but powerful boats. At the entrance to the channel, they often perform the popular pivot, a maneuver requiring skill and dexterity on the part of the tugboats, to allow the ship to enter backwards so that it may depart forwards. Presumably, ships don’t like to operate in reverse. The cam watchers can later see the shipworkers driving in for their shift, and later these same workers driving the cars off the boat and into the parking lot. The lot is a great place to see what Subarus will be available in the coming year. If you visit the nest, you will drive by the trucks and trains that take these cars elsewhere. 

​Then there are the other large bulk carriers. These are less picturesque and go farther up the channel, where they cannot be seen unloading. But one ship, the Hon. Henry Jackman, is a favorite of one cam regular. Maybe it’s the name. Or the ship’s great length.  These ships also usually pivot. 

​Midi’s favorites are the tugboats. They are the workhorses, without whom the ships could not operate in the channel. One sees a pilot boat go out, then two tugs, and one knows a ship will soon be on its way. Sure enough, a ship soon appears, accompanied by two tugs, one on each side. These tugs are so small, especially when alongside the car ships, but they are mighty. And nimble. During the pivot, one tug must switch sides and just spins on its axis to make its turns.  The crew are alert, able and constantly on the go.  Midi once watched a crew member throw a rope expertly to the Red Oak Victory, then coil it. All part of the day’s job. When their job is done, the tugs return merrily to their berth. Do the ships every thank them? Are they ever fêted? Midi would like to know. Her favorites are the Foss tugs that berth nearby, and the tug dubbed “the birthday cake” by cam watchers.  Once a tug tooted as it went by the nest and another time, a tug did a pirouette right in front of the nest. So the crew have a sense of humor as well!

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Then there are the smaller boats. The fishing boats  go out early and return late in the day. Some are fancy and new and others are weather beaten. Occasionally one sees a tour boat, the Osprey being the camwatchers’ favorite. And then the sailboats, of all sizes. Once a large trimaran passed by, then Midi read later about the owner of the trimaran who got into trouble in San Francisco.

And finally, the very little private boats. The occasional kayaker. The expert sail surfer who seems to love rough, windy days. A funky tiny fishing boat. Some cam watchers like to check the marine traffic site. One noted a rowboat one day. Each morning this rowboat would set off and do a tour of Brooks Island then return. What was this rowboat? Why was it going around the island? An article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle and the mystery was solved. A woman named Lia and her rowboat  have made the Bay their home. She is practicing for a record-setting row from Japan to San Francisco (one hopes to Richmond instead!). But first, she set off to make a record-setting circuit of the Farallones. Now alerted to her blog, some of the cam watchers followed Lia on her trip and cheered her as she entered Brickyard Cove after having accomplished her goal. Welcome, Lia, to Richmond Bay. And we invite you to become a member of the WWOC (World’s Worst Osprey Cam), a quirky, intelligent, fun, artsy group who meet on the cam’s chat site. Your membership card awaits you.