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Fly with the Ospreys

This is a page about  the Whirley Crane Osprey nest in Richmond. CA. Its purpose is to provide information to those who are new to the cam.  It also proffers osprey related poetry, songs and stories. If you have a poem or song or chart you'd like to see on this site, please contact Midi.
All writing and personal photos are the property of the authors and may be shared only for non profitable purposes. Courtesy would dictate letting this site know if you do so. 
All photos captured from the camera are the property of and used by permission from the Golden Gate Audubon Society. They are not to be copied from this site without permission from GGAS. If you enjoy this site, please consider sending a contribution to:
​

www.goldengateaudubon.org ​

Part 4: Eggs!

4/6/2022

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​Rosie laid her first egg on April 5 at 6:01 pm. 
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Egg coming. April 5, 2022. 6:01 pm. cap by lurker
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egg close up. April 5. 6:03 pm. cap by chagin
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Rosie and egg. 4 5 22. 6:03 pm. cap by chagin
Both ospreys got right to work, Rosie sitting on the egg and Richie flying in for a CK to assure a second egg. 
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Richie in for a CK. Really, Richie? Don't you think she might be tired? gif by J
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Rosie sleeping, tired after laying her egg. April 5, 2022. 10:33 pm. cap by midi
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Rosie and Richie on the nest the morning after, April 6, 2022. cap by seabiscuit
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Airing the egg. April 16. cap by midi
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Airing the egg at night. April 6. cap by midi
Airing the egg serves two purposes. First of all, on hot days and nights, the nest bowl can get hot. Secondly, exposing the egg to lower temperatures can retard its hatching, so that the three eggs hatch close together. If they don't, the third chick hatched is smaller, less developed, and subject to bullying by its siblings. 
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No, Richie, it's not your turn yet. April 6, 2022. cap by midi
Picture
Richie incubating. April 7, 2022. cap by midi
 Richie loves to incubate the eggs. He will land and nudge Rosie to let him take over. Sometimes she does, other times she resists his nudges, which can become more pronounced, until she relents or he gives up. An easy way to get his turn is to bring her a fish. He is a bit nervous when incubating and looks around a lot. 
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Both doing their jobs. April 7, 2022. cap by midi
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Richmond brings a fish. April 6 2022. cap by lurker
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Both looking at the eggs. April 7, 2022. cap by lurker
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This is a real team effort by the ospreys. Rosie does most of the incubating. Richie brings fish and helps incubate when Rosie needs to eat or take a break. They both defend against intruders. Sometimes they look at each other and seem to be communicating about the process and what they should be doing. Other times, Rosie is quite vocal about Richie's duties, calling loudly for a fish. 
Picture
Richie flying in a fish. April 7, 2022. cap by midi
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Defending the nest. April 7 2022. cap by midi
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The fish arrives.
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Rosie and Egg 1. April 7, 2022. cap by lurker
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Move over, it's my turn. 9:52 am. April 8, 2022 cap by midi
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Can I help? April 8, 2022 at 15:24 pm
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Rosie in egg laying position. April 8, 2022. at 16:54 pm
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Egg #2. April 8, 2022 cap by lurker
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Egg number 2 April 8, 2022 at 16:56
Egg Number 2 arrived on April 8 at 16:56.  See the humorous interactions with Richie earlier that day, trying to help Rosie, who was getting ready to lay an egg. 
Picture
Rosie and two eggs. April 10, 2022 cap by lurker
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Close-up of the two eggs April 8, 2022. cap by lurker
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A quiet moment on the nest. April 11, 2022. cap by midi
With two eggs in the nest, Richie decided a special gift was in order, so he brought a tree to Rosie. See the video by VA to enjoy the interactions with this tree. A still photo does not do it justice. 
Egg 3 finally arrived on April 11 at 8:42 pm after dark. Chatters had been watching and waiting for hours. then it arrived without fanfare. 
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Three eggs! Well done, Rosie and Richie. April 11, 2022. at 20:42 pm. cap by C
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3 eggs. 4 12 2022. cap by lurker
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3 eggs close-up. April 11, 2022. cap by lurker
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Richmond and the eggs. April 13, 2022. cap by lurker
The white egg appears to be Egg #3. It can be hard to tell them apart as Rosie rolls them. 
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Richmond egg sitting. April 14, 2022. cap by lurker
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Three eggs close up. April 16, 2022. cap by lurker
Rosie's job now is to sit on the eggs and keep them warm, rolling them periodically and airing the nest bowl by rearranging the nest material. Richie's job is to give her a break once in a while by sitting on the eggs, a job he loves. And to bring her fish. This year, he seems to be lagging a bit in bringing her fish. He catches a fish, eats it first, then brings her the leftovers. While she doesn't need as many calories while sitting on the eggs, the hope is he will up his game once the eggs hatch. They also bring more materials to build up the nest or make the newt bowl softer.
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I'm sorry I didn't bring a fish. April 14, 2022.
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Rosie eats her long-awaited striper, April 12, 2022. cap by lurker
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Tuckered-out Rosie. April 12, 2022. cap by midi
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Richmond brings a stick. April 17, 2022
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Richmond and branch. April 17, 2022. cap by Dianne A
One persistent intruder keeps coming around but Rosie and Richie are adept at sending any intruders away. 
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Bold intruder osprey sitting on the rail April 15, 2022. cap by lurker
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Rosie protecting her eggs from intruders. April 15, 2022. cap by Tweeter
Richmond has not been bringing as many fish as in the past, but Rosie goes out to get her own when needed, while he egg sits, which he loves. He tends to fish, eat most himself then bring her the leftovers, which can be just a fishtail at times. One day though, he caught a great big striper, which fed them both a long time. 
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Richmond's striper. April 15, 2022. cap by lurker
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Almost an hour later
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Rosie's fish that morning. She takes her fish to the spar, also known as Rosie's Café often.
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Later on the nest. Don't touch my striper! caps by lurker
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Three eggs. April 16, 2022. cap by lurker
Life on the nest right now is all about the eggs. Keeping them warm, turning them, aerating them, keeping them safe from intruders. The eggs are quite distinctive this year. The dark spotted one was the last laid. 
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Iconic picture of the nest with an osprey, a tug and Brooks Island. cap by midi April 19, 2022
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Angelic Rosie. April 29, 2022. cap by Dianne A
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Co- incubating April 20, 2022
Both Rosie and Richie seem to like incubating. Each will nudge the other to move off the eggs to give them a turn. Richie is more alert while incubating, seeming nervous. It is his job, of course, to defend the nest. Rosie is more focussed on the eggs themselves and lies quietly and sleeps at night, while getting up periodically to air the nest bowl, turn the eggs or just check them. 
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New nest material in the way. April 20, 2022. cap by lurker
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Arrranging the sticks. Note the nice curved stick rail. May 4, 2022. cap by Jest.
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Clump to the nest. April 29, 2022 cap by lurker
When not fishing, Richie is always nearby, keeping watch on the nest. If he spots a possible intruder or Rosie calls, he comes to the crane and he and Rosie work as a team to chase away the intruder. 
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Defending the nest. April 25, 2022. cap by chaya
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Chasing the intruder away. April 25, 2022. cap by chaya
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Rosie defending the nest from an osprey intruder. April 19, 2022. from video by VA
Other visitors to the nest are left alone, if they pose no threat. These are usually small birds.
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Small finch visitor. April 30, 2022. cap by lurker
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Well, hello there. cap by FW.
Fish, of course, are important to the osprey pair. Richie was slow to start providing this year, often keeping the fish he caught to himself, or bringing Rosie the tail only. There is the possibility that a lost rear talon may have made fishing harder for him and he caught fewer fish and needed more for himself. This is only a surmise by chatters at this point. At any rate, it appears that he is doing better now and bringing fish to Rosie. When he doesn't, she quite capably goes to catch one for herself, while he happily incubates the eggs. True partnership. She often takes her fish up to the strut, a protrusion from the crane.
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April 26, 2022. cap compilation by FW
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Rosie's big fish. May 3, 2022. cap by kinnae ken
Then there are the quiet times. Nights have been quite restful this year so far. Often Rosie naps on the eggs in the late morning or afternoon. Richie spends less time on the nest this year, preferring the boom, where he can keep watch.
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Rosie asleep May 4, 2022. cap by midi
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Rosie awake. April 26, 2022. cap by midi
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Rosie in the fog. May 4, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken
After some speculation about Richie's possible leg injury and his less active fish providing to Rosie this year, an alert chatter noticed a missing talon. This talon is now growing back in but could have hampered his fishing ability. 
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Richmond's talons May 5 2022. cap by lurker
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Richmond on rail, broken talon.
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Cooperation May 5 2022. cap by lurker
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Flounder for Rosie. May 6 2022. cap by lurker
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caps by Dinnae ken May 6, 2022
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piece of rubber on the nest. May 10, 2022. cap by Robin
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Fish. May 9, 2022. cap by dinnae ken
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Three eggs May 10, 2022 cap bu lurker
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Mama Rosie in golden sunlight. May 10, 2022. cap by ES
Eggspected hatch dates: 1. May 12-15; 2. May 13-16; 3. May 16-18. | The eggs were laid April 4, 8, and 11. 
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Part 3  Season 2022. Ready to Nest

3/28/2022

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Things have settled down. The female intruder has not appeared lately or is being warned off. The nest has gone from a termite mound to a well-designed osprey nest with sticks defining the nest area and soft grass and gracillaria lining the nest bowl. All is ready. Rosie is spending more time on the rail and on the nest. And Richie has started bringing her fish. Also, several CK's have appeared to be successful. All is in place for egg laying soon.
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Rosie on rail March 23 cap by midi
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Rosie sleeping on the rail. March 27. cap by midi
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Rosie and Richie on the nest. March 27 cap by midi
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Big curved stick comes in. March 27. cap by PP
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Incoming clump. March 26. cap by lurker
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Placing the log. March 27. cap by J
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Draped clump. March 26. cap by lurker
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Progress on the nest. March 27. cap by midi
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Teamwork. March 29. cap by midi
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Rosie and Richie on the nest. march 29. cap by midi
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The nest in progress, March 27. cap by J
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Tall stick incoming. March 29. cap by craigor
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The nest is almost ready. March 30, 2022. cap by midi
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the nest's progress. gif by craigor
Along with the nest's progress, Richie and Rosie have been bonding. They chase away any intruders and Richie regularly requests a CK. There have appeared to be several successful CK's, leading chatters to expect an egg soon, in early April. And Richie has begun bringing fish to Rosie, although she catches her own as well.She lets Richie know quite vocally that he is supposed to bring the fish to her. Rosie is staying close to the nest, either on the rail or on the nest itself. She spends every night there. 
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Successful CK? March 23, 2022.. cap by J
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CK on railing. March 29, 2022. cap by J
Richie jumped on Rosie's back and stayed there for two full minutes in the photo to the left. What was that about? Meanwhile, Rosie held onto her fish.
April 1, 2022.  cap by lurker. See also video by VA. 
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Rosie on the nest. March 31, 2022. cap by midi
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Fish brought to nest by Richie. March 23, 2022. cap by lurker
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Rosie with a striped bass. April 1, 2022. cap by lurker
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Rosie waiting for a fish. March 31, 2022. cap by midi
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Incoming fish March 28 2022. cap by PP
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A full Rosie sitting overnight with her fish. April 1, 2022. cap by midi
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Part 2 Season 2022: Rosie's Return                                              Will the real Rosie please stand up?

3/22/2022

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Rosie returned without fanfare this year and there was disagreement about when she actually returned. A female osprey landed on the nest on February 25 and Richie joined her, but it apparently was not Rosie. You can watch the video for yourself and decide.  This year, there are more ospreys than ever, all flying in from their stay down South, so it is harder to say who is who. Below are two more photos taken by our faithful LtL from the ground. These definitely do not appear to be Richie or Rosie. 
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Osprey eating fish on ROV wire. Afternoon of Feb. 25 photo by LtL.
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Osprey on ROV wire. Afternoon of Feb. 25. photo by LtL
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The dilapidated nest Feb. 25, 2022. cap by midi
Meanwhile, the nest is a mess. . The raven pair and the crows have been coming all winter to pick at the nest. Lately, they have been stealing sticks regularly to build their own nests. One such nest appears to be in progress on the near light pole in the car ship lot.
 Four ospreys  have been seen flying at the Whirley Crane, jostling for position. There have been some skirmishes. The crows and ravens have also been at the nest a lot. It provides easy picking for the corvid nests. The raven pair is making a nest on a light pole in the port parking lot, where the new cars sit. Meanwhile, at the Richmond Yacht Club, a pair appears to have settled in at that nest. 
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Osprey tussle. Feb. 27, 20222 at 11:18 am. cap by C
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Tussle. Feb. 27 11:29 am cap by C
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Osprey on ROV wire, a favorite roosting spot this year so far. Feb. 26. 4pm. cap by Dianne A
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Two ospreys on the crane, Fab. 28 10:15 am. cap by Dianne A
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Female osprey on railing, Feb. 28, 2022. cap by craigor
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Two ospsreys on nest Feb. 28. 10:22 am
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Bringing a stick then dropping it March 1. 10:48 am. cap by Dianne A
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Moving sticks around Feb. 28. 10:24 am. cap by J
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Mantling. Feb. 28. 10:22 am. cap by chaya
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Raven's nest being built on light pole with sticks from the osprey nest. Feb. 28. photo by chaya.
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Raven takes a long stick from the nest. Feb. 28. cap by calgal They have been dismantling the nest and now are working on the soft material.
March 4: Some chatters believe Rosie arrived by March 4. You can look at the caps below and decide for yourself.  They have been seen together on the crane and on the nest in the past few days. Or is it a different female with Richie?
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2 ospreys on the crane, March 3 cap by C
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Two ospreys on the nest March 4 in the morning. cap by Dianne A
There is general consensus that by March 7, Rosie had definitely arrived and begun to bond with Richie.
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CK attempt March 7 at 10:39 am cap by midi
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Rosie calling for Richie. March 9, 10:05 am cap by midi
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Rosie on the rail. March 8. cap by lurker
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Watching for Richie and fish. March 8. cap by lurker
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Both on the rail, March 9 8:49 am. cap by PP
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Rosie on nest with passing ship. March 7. 11:22 am. cap by midi
F#m
Been all day in flight talons wet with my meal
There’s a voice in my head, has a certain appeal
It’s my mate he’s calling, says I need you here!
It’s getting dark, I just caught my dinner
E                                            B                    F#m
On my flight home, I gotta feed, I gotta rest
E                                            B                    F#m
I gotta think about reclaiming my nest
C#                                Bsus2
Wanna hear his mating call!!
D                A                    E                        F#m
We got a thing that’s called Pandion Love
D                        A                        E            F#m
He’s gonna dive from the sky!
D                        A                        E                F#m
We’re gonna mate, I’m gonna make some new flyers
D                        A                E
We’re gonna perpetuate
 F#m
Pandion Love

F#m
Got my nest in sight better clear the runway
Gotta eat something by the end of the day
There’s my mate, he’s waiting on the whirley crane!
He’s gonna bring me a fish, we’re gonna have a CK!
E                                            B            F#m
Found my way home, I’m gonna sleep on a wire,
E                B                        F#m
The happy chatters will all be inspired  --
C#                                                Bsus2
They’ve been waiting for me all winter long.
D                A                    E                        F#m
We got a thing that’s called Pandion Love
D                A                    E                    F#m
We got a date with desire
D                A                    E                        F#m
We’re gonna mate, he’s gonna make a great sire
D                        A            E
We’re gonna perpetuate 
F#m
Pandion Love

​​
Over the Rainbow
 
Somewhere, over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s an osprey flying,
Flying high in the sky.
Somewhere, over the rainbow,
By the Bay,
Rosie is flying home to us,
Flying home today.
She’s flying through the Golden Gate
And at the nest her loyal mate
Will meet her.
We’ll also hurry to the nest,
To see our Rosie we love best,
And we will greet her.
Somewhere, over the rainbow,
Ospreys fly.
They fly over the rainbow,
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If ospreys fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh why can’t I?
​​Welcome Rosie
 
Welcome back, our Rosie,
Welcome home today.
We are glad to see you,
Our favorite osprey.
 
Did you have a good time
Down in Southern clime?
Did you like to live alone,
Down there on your own?
 
Now it’s time to get busy,
Find Richie and mate,
Gather sticks and eelgrass,
Start to nestorate.
 
Lay some eggs, 1, 2, 3
For us all to see,
We will watch day and night
‘Til dawn’s early light.
 
Chicks will hatch and will grow,
Leaving us on edge,
‘Til the day that fully grown,
They decide to fledge.
 
Then the skies we will scan
For their bright blue band,
‘Til the day that you and they 
Fly down South to stay.
 
Then Richie will be alone,
On his own once more,
Fishing for himself again
At the reservoir.
 
But Rosie, you will return,
That we have now learned.
We know you always do,
We can count on you.
 
So let’s now raise a toast
To our ospreys dear,
Here’s to Rosie, Richie too,
And a New Osprey Year.

Nest Building: Isn't That a Crazy Nest? 

Rosie and Richie are settling in. They are seen together more and Richie has begun attempting CK's. Rosie visits the nest but does not spend much time there. She has been sitting on the rail quite a bit. They also spend time on the Dutra Crane. They were bringing sticks to the Dutra Crane, so the crane operators lowered the crane. There have been some sticks brought to a light over the parking lot. And a few brought to the nest. But they seem perplexed as to how to place the sticks. 
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State of the nest March 11. cap by PP
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Richie redecorates March 11. cap by lurker
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March 17. meme by craigor
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Richie brings nesting material. March 11. cap by J
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Guarding the nest. March 11. cap by seabiscuit
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Bringing nesting material. March 17 lurker
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But the material ended up on the Dutra crane, since lowered to prevent its use. March 12. photo by chaya
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Meme by craigor. March 21
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Rosie bringing in nesting material. March 12 photo by Chaya.
They are getting more interested in bringing nesting material but aren't sure where they want it. They have brought sticks to the Dutra crane and to a light pole, as well as the nest. 
Picture
Having a conversation on the light pole March 21. cap by midi
To illustrate the issues facing Richie and Rosie this year, the following video shows Rosie trying to nestorate and instead sliding down the nest along with the clump she was trying to incorporate. She easily flew off subsequently, as you can see if you watch to the end. 
The intruder female with the s​peckled bosom has aggressively tried to woo Richie, but he is now having nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, he and Rosie are bonding more. 
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Richie confronts female intruder. March 22 in the morning. cap by lurker
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Female acting submissive a bit later. cap by lurker
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Richie shoos female away. cap by lurker
Meanwhile, Rosie fed herself and began to think about nesting. She and Richie slept together on the wires at night. Did they talk things over osprey fashion then? After the Dutra Crane was lowered, they brought sticks to a light pole. They also started a pile on the upper sheave. 
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State of the nest on March 23. cap by PP
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Close-up of the nest on March 23. cap by PP.
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The nest being built on the upper sheave. cap by PP
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Far view of upper nest
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The two nests. March 24, cap by PP
Craigor and Del Prado Brothers playing Osprey Nest
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Part 1: Season 2022. Waiting for Rosie

2/2/2022

2 Comments

 
Picture
Osprey on the nest. Richie?January 30 2022 cap by craigor
The osprey season is ramping up. Ospreys have been seen flying around the area and perched in familiar spots, such as the light poles. On January 30, an osprey landed on the Whirley Crane nest. It looked around, mantled a bit tentatively then was chased off by another osprey.Some chatters thought it was Richie, other that it was probably a younger osprey trying out the nest and being chased off by Richie, who was keeping watch nearby. 
For more information, see the video caught by VA, on the Youtube channel. 
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Richie? on cable. Feb. 1, 2022 12:48 pm cap by midi
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Sunset January 16, 2022 cap by midi
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osprey and crow on crane. Jan. 31. cap by J
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Same sunset a few seconds later capped by craigor
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Midi likes to call this sun path Rosie's Way, for her to follow to the nest. Capped by midi Jan. 28, 2022
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And midi calls these fairy sparkles, used in her Osprey Nest book. Capped Jan 28, 2022, unknown capper.
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Richie on the crane Feb. 5 2022 cap by craigor
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Richie? on the crane Feb. 6, 2022. cap by PP
Richie is coming to the crane almost daily now and has begun chirping for Rosie. On Feb. 8, he flew to the nest as well for a few minutes. Rosie is presumably already on her way. 
Feb. 20: The ospreys are returning. Chatters on the ground have reported ospreys flying above the RYC nest. Pairing off, perhaps? They report seeing ospreys on light poles, on the wires, and on the nest briefly. At least some of the sightings have been of Richie. He seems to be visiting the area every day, making a brief visit to the nest, sitting on the ROV wires or by the Dutra slip, and eating fish. There is some disagreement about whether all sightings have been of Richie or other ospreys. A striking female visited the nest briefly and was chased off by the raven pair, who have been dismantling the nest, flying off with sticks, presumably to build their own nest. Who was that female? So far, no banded offspring have been sighted. And Rosie still has not returned. Watch for her any day now! For more detail, see the GGAS Youtube site for short videos of visitors to the nest.
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Richie? on cable. Feb. 18, photo by Chaya from the ground.
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Raven attacking unknown female Feb. 18 cap by PP
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Richie on the nest Feb. 17, 2022. cap by robin
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Unknown female on nest Feb. 18. cap by craigor
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Maggie and Jester Ravens dismantling the osprey nest. Feb. 18, cap by PP.
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Richie's brief visit to the nest on the morning of Feb. 20. cap by craigor.
Note the identification marks here: black stripe above eye, black patch at front of head. black dot under wing. 
While you're waiting and watching, here are some past photos of Rosie's return and a song for her and Richie

Rosie's Returns

2017  March 5
2018  March 2
2019  Feb. 23
2020  March 5
2021  Feb. 18
 
          2022. ???                
PictureRosie returns. Feb. 18, 2021. still from VA video

Picture
Rosie on cable. Feb. 18, 2021. gif by J
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Richie and DLo on the nest, Feb. 29, 2020. cap by J Sadie Hawkins Day!
Picture
Richie and Rosie. March 5, 2020. gif by J
In 2020, another female got to the nest before Rosie. Named DLo by the chatters, she stayed a while until Rosie arrived on March 5 and booted her off the nest. 
Picture
Rosie and Richie. March 5, 2020. cap by midi.
Picture
Rosie returns Feb. 23, 2019. capped from video by GGAS
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Richie brings plastic for Rosie on her second day, Feb. 24. cap by J
Picture
A fish for Rosie. Feb. 24
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Rosie on the rail. Feb. 24, 2019. cap by SaMo
Picture
March 2, 2018 Rosie Flies in on a Rainbow
An osprey flew to the crane, 
Early one Spring Day.
Sat and chirped in the misting rain,
All the livelong day.

"Rosie, Rosie, my mate,
Where are you today?"
How much longer must I wait?
Are you on your way?"

When the hour had grown late, 
So dark he could not see,
And he had not seen his mate,
He flew to the RYC.

​"Rosie, Rosie, my mate,
Where are you tonight?
I am waiting here for you
Until the morning light."

Late the next day, from the west,
In Rosie flew.
She flew straight to the nest,
To find her Richie true.

"Richie, Richie, my mate,
I am now here.
But it is growing late,
Are you somewhere near?"

Richie, fishing o'er the Bay,
Heard her loud and clear,
So he flew straight away
To his Rosie dear.

"Rosie, here I come,
To you I will be true.
We can build ourselves a nest,
And raise a family too."

Now we eagerly await
A New Osprey Year.
Watch for the couple to mate,
Eggs and chicks appear. 

Rosie, Richie too,
Our own osprey,
We are glad to see you,
Welcome back today!

midi
​
Early one morning, just as the sun was rising,
​I heard an osprey on the nest singing to his mate.
"Oh, Rosie, where are you? Are you on your way?
​Won't you please come back to me today?"

​Then Richie took off, to his other nest he flew,
Spent the night there with his lover fair.
"Maybe I'll stay right here, next to you, my dear,
For my mate Rosie is nowhere near."

Early the next evening, just as the sun was setting,
​An osprey flew to the nest, looking for her mate.
​She chirped,"Richie,my mate,Richie,where are you?
Won't you return to this nest and be true?"

So Richie flew back to the Whirley Crane nest,
To find his loyal mate and to her be true.
She soon lay three eggs, just as pretty as could be,
​And soon they were raising a family. 

(a favorite tune of midi, played on recorder by The Friendly Giant on TV in the 50's.)
​
Come home Rosie, Rosie come home
Come home Rosie, Rosie come home
Every autumn Rosie flies to southern grounds
and you know, Richie, he never follows her down.
Rosie we don’t care what nature makes you do
‘cause we want you to come home and Richie does too.
And so we sing now
Come home Rosie, Rosie come home
Come home Rosie, Rosie come home
Rosie, Richie needs to see your speckled chest
Rosie lay your eggs into your and Richie’s nest
Rosie hang your talons down, into our view.
Richie bring your mate some fish and some sticks too
And so we sing now
Come home Rosie, come home, come home!
So come home Rosie, home home, come home!
Well make it, make it, make it Rosie!
We make it, make it, make it -- yeah!!
Come, home, come home!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!
Come home Rosie, Rosie come HOME
Come Home Rosie, Rosie come Home

​
Rosie, we are waiting and watching for you! 
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Off Season 2021/2022

1/15/2022

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With the ospreys all flown, action slows on the Whirley Crane nest. However, there is always something to see on the cam and the chatters continue to chat. The nest cam has an incredible view of the Bay. One can see the lights of San Francisco, especially nice at Christmastime when the buildings and bridge are lit. Then there are the boats going by, from kayaks and paddlers to large car ships accompanied by two tugboats. The pivot is especially fascinating to watch. Various birds visit the nest: a raven pair, gulls, finches, and even a falcon.
In past years, Richie has made occasional visits. This year, we have seen him only a few times when he has flown by to defend his property rights. 
On chat, people also post pictures of other nest cams, ospreys in other parts of the world and even an albatross. There are photos of birds seen in the area, such as herons and egrets, and photos of birds chatters see on their excursions, local and farther afield. 
Below is just a sample of the nest cam views in the past two months. 
Picture
Raven on the nest. Dec. 5, 2021. cap by craigor
Picture
Gull on nest
Picture
Maggie and Jester on the nest, with ship and tug. Dec. 11, 2021. cap by craigor
Picture
Sunset over the Marin hills seen from the cam, Jan. 13, 2022. cap by Robin
Picture
City lights. Dec. 10, 2021, cap by midi
Picture
Lit tugboat and ship. Dec. 11 2021, cap by puest
Sometimes the nest causes chatters to wax poetic and activates their imagination. The light artifacts from the camera are especially fascinating. There are sparkles, which midi calls fairies, and a diamond shaped light named Zoid.  And a light over the Bay that some say lights Rosie's way back to the nest. 
Picture
Ferry with fairies
Picture
Tugboat with fairy sparkles on the nest Jan. 14, 2022, cap by midi
Picture
Rosie's Way. Dec. 18, 2021, cap by PP
Picture
Heart-shaped Zoid Jan. 14, 2022. cap by Ali
Whatever the fantasies, the facts are that Rosie should be returning by the end of February. She may have started her journey. Chatters on the ground have reported seeing ospreys around the Richmond Yacht Club nest and Pt. Isabel. So the action is beginning. And Rosie watch has started. 
Picture
by midi. Jan 2022
Picture
by midi. Jan. 2022
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End of Season 2021

10/26/2021

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The osprey season ends when Rosie flies South for the Winter.  The WWOC celebrates the end of season each year with a party. This year was special since it was the first time chatters had been able to gather together in person since 2019. Our Fish Matrix Master and Band Leader had, however, kept us well entertained with videos on Youtube throughout the drought period. These are available on his youtube channel. Below is a video of the live performance this year. 
 The party was a great success, with a fun time had by all. East Brothers Beer kindly provided the stage as in the past. We had a new banner with a new logo. Chatters brought desserts, many in the shape of fish. There was even some dancing. And a Pied Piper to draw everyone away from the cakes and over to the stage area. Prizes were awarded. And the band played old favorites, as well as a new song for this year's third chick Lupine. And midi introduced a new theme song for the WWOC, as well as a quiz on the band letters. 
The Nest Item museum was on display and some chatters displayed their art, photography and writing. What a talented group!
And somehow, the peripatetic pig named PP showed up! Nobody (except one?) knows how he got there or how he left, but presumably he enjoyed the party. And partook of the many desserts and whipped cream. 
Picture
Richie alone at the nest September 17, 2021. Rosie had presumably flown on her migration.
The Last Day of Summer   
  
Tis the last day of summer
And the ospreys have flown away.
Do you see Rosie up yonder
She too is flying today.
 
She will fly thousands of miles,
To her warm winter home
Find her favorite  Southern beach,
Spend the winter there alone.
 
So farewell to our dear Rosie,
May the wind in your wings be fair
May the skies above be blue
And a warm welcome greet you there.
 
Richie is at the nest
Watching for his mate Rosie.
After your long winter rest,
Rosie, will you return to me?
 
Tis the last day of summer,
And the ospreys have all flown.
Do you see Richie up yonder
Standing on the nest alone?

midi October 2021
 
Picture
Image by Dianne A
Picture
Beautiful nest view capped by J Oct. 21
Picture
Hon. Henry pivoting, capped by midi Oct. 18.
Be sure to visit the nest cam occasionally. You might see intruders such as gulls and crows, see the beautiful night view of San Francisco, or see favorite boats go by. It is always a beautiful, calming view. And if you are feeling lonely, just log onto chat to join the always lively conversation. You'll find plenty of laughs and who knows, you might even learn something. About ospreys? Yes. But also about literature, art, cooking, words and whatever else you can imagine. 
Picture
dredger at night November 18 cap by PP
Picture
Corvids and sharp-skinned hawk. Nov. 2. cap from VA's video
Picture
Hon. Henry pivoting. October 18. cap by midi
There is much to see on and around the nest, even in the off season. Vessels of various types: salboats, ships, dredgers, tugboats and ferries. 




Then there are the various bird visitors to the nest, looking for dried up tidbits or just enjoying the view.



And various light artifacts, often given names by the chatters.  
Picture
Gold circle on nest November 17
Picture
Boats going out and light artifact on the nest. November 8. cap by midi
Picture
ferry and bay. Oct. 21. cap by J
And then there is just the beautiful view of the nest we get from the nest cam. 
​
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    Midi

    is a poet and writer of children's stories who has been watching the adventures of the ospreys on the Whirley Crane Nest in Richmond, Ca. for the past two years. The ospreys and attached chat group have inspired poems and songs, some serious and others in fun. 

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    The Archive will not let me keep posts except by date. So before 2020, the dates are not accurate. The subjects of posts before then are listed here:

    June 2019 WWOC Glossary
    May 2019 Life of an Osprey in Nuce
    March 2019- chapter by chapter for years 2017-1019
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