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. 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  already 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 3 eggs in 2017,  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. 

​

For videos of egg laying, see:Videos
Most videos are on GGAS YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gn6yIRa_cBKExVmHdg3jQ
Some older videos are on Tony\'s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/ajbrake48/videos
Some videos from 2017 are on the Archives page: www.sfbayospreys.org/archives
2017
Egg 1 laid: https://youtu.be/skHiNDkxy-g
Egg 2 laid: http://sfbayospreys.org/170404-second-egg-laying-slo-mo-kcrt/
Egg 3, storm just before power outage: https://youtu.be/R8L7T229K94

 Egg 1 laid: https://youtu.be/nm7_-UioZK8
 Egg 2 laid: https://youtu.be/SVaLGUisDwU
 Egg 3 laid: power was out

2019
​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 scooching 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. 

Week 1: Bobblehead/Downy stage
The chicks hatch after 36-40 days of incubation. The first chick may have a longer incubation so that it hatches closer to the others. The mother accomplishes this by sitting on the egg less and thus it is not as warm. A chick hatching too long after the others will be at a disadvantage, may not get enough nutrition, and may not survive.

Week 2: Rock 'em Sock'em Stage
By week 2, the chicks' necks are stronger and they have learned to feed. They spend more time out from under Rosie but still sleep under her. They begin to make peeping noises and they begin to develop dark down. They also may compete a bit with each other, by bopping each other. This has varied by the year. Whirley, the elder, bopped her baby brother. The three chicks in 2018 engaged in some of this. In 2019, the two surviving chicks were surprisingly docile towards each other, even sharing at feeding time. 

 Week 3: Reptile stage

In week three, the chicks begin to develop pin feathers, causing them to look a bit like little dinosaurs. They become aware of their large wings and often stretch them. There is no more fighting. They have grown too large to fit under Rosie, so they sleep next to her. And they are more immune to the vagaries of the weather. They poop dramatically, not yet having learned to control the direction. They still mostly sleep and eat but are beginning to take an interest in the world around them. They begin to walk around the nest, on their knees. Their legs are not yet strong enough to walk on their feet. Rosie feels comfortable leaving them on the nest alone for short periods of time.

Weeks 4 and 5: Becoming an Osprey: feathers and eye focus

In week 4, the feathers come in. The chicks are very itchy(presumably) and preen a lot. They move around the nest on their knees and  watch the world off the nest more, moving their heads from side to side to learn to focus. (for information on this, see Poole).They begin to stretch their wings.But they still sleep a lot as well. They still poop indiscriminately but are beginning to learn. (In 2019, miraculously, the POG disappeared, thanks to our new screen washer). And their parents continue to feed them, tearing off increasingly larger pieces of fish to place in their beaks. 

Weeks 6 and 7: Growing Up

By this time, the chicks are growing up. They have reached much of their body weight and are hard to tell apart from the adults, except for the white on their wing tips and the different colored eye. They walk on their feet now and stretch their very long wings. They practice flapping. And they begin to self feed, grabbing bites from under Rosie as she feed them, or grabbing the entire fish and dragging it off. They are banded in mid-June and receive their initials (USFWS) and their permanent names, suggested and voted on by chatters and Facebook enthusiasts. (Banding is not photographed, so no pics here of that) A few days before fledging, they begin to hover over the nest for brief periods. 

Fledging is a watershed moment for the chicks and a time of anxiety and pride for those who watch the ospreys. A rite of passage into adulthood. The almost adult ospreys are now on their own, expected--with encouragement and help--to fly around the Bay and to fish for their own prey. This does not happen all at once. First there is the practice hovering the week before fledging. The adults watch protectively at this stage, and some chatters think they see the adults demonstrating proper flying behavior. One day, a hover turns into a short flight as the wind catches the osprey's wings and it learns forward movement. Usually, it lands very close to the nest, either on the platform below the nest or on the crane's cables. An accidental fledge is when the bird is caught by the wind and lands inadvertently. Fledge has happened between days 51 and 55 for the chicks of years 2017-2019, around the first week of July. Chatters always hope for fledge before the fireworks on July 3 and 4. The fledgling sometimes has trouble getting back to the nest and stays on the platform or cable a while, making various attempts until finally succeeding. The adults will position themselves near one or the other chick, offering support. Sometimes, a fledgling on the cable will walk its way back to the nest. 
Subsequent short flights occur soon after, but landings are still a bit unsure. Within two days, the fledgling is flying quite adeptly, using the wind, positioning its wings properly. Flights become longer and soon the fledgling appears back on the nest only to sleep and to eat. Gradually, they begin to sleep and sometimes feed elsewhere as well, but they come back to the nest when hungry. 
It is not entirely known when they begin fishing. One study showed that ospreys are hardwired to fish and do not have to be taught. But it appears to observers on this cam that the adults do provide some support and/or demonstrations. The young osprey will return to the nest wet but without a fish, and start begging.  And some have observed in the distance a young osprey inexpertly diving into the Bay and coming up without a fish, to appear wet on the nest a bit later. At any rate, the adult ospreys continue to feed their offspring as long as they're around. Richie ups the ante at this point, delivering over 40 fish a week .Rosie also pitches in now.  The young ones come to the nest when hungry and watch, then scream, for a fish. They tend now to insist on their own fish and will mantle to protect their meal. Often two fish are delivered in a row, to appease both chicks. A final, touching sight of the osprey year is  Rosie on the nest with a fish but no young ones around to eat it.  

Rivet had not shown as much interest in fledging and he was two days younger than Whirley. But he fledged on time after all on July 5, 2017 in the late morning.  He fledged to the crane cable and had an easier time than Whirley had. He also elected to return to the nest, first taking short flights then longer ones, That night, he returned to the nest. While watching his fledge, chatters had become aware of human activity below the nest. Later that afternoon, they were informed that Whirley had been found and transported to WildCare. 

Rivet stayed around until mid-August. He was last seen on the nest on August 18 but might have stayed in the area.
Les BB posted on August 20:Yesterday around 4 p.m. I saw the most beautiful sight from my deck in Brickyard Landing. I was thinking about Rivet and reached for my phone to log onto the cam. We heard an osprey calling from way above. Three ospreys soaring high above circling together going higher and higher. One continuing to call. Finally one broke off and headed South while the other two went higher and higher until they were out of our sight. I was filled with emotion thinking this may be the last time I see my beloved Rivet.

2018

In 2018, there were three chicks and a different dynamic on the nest.The chicks interacted quite a bit and often argues, as siblings will do. They loudly yelled for fish and fought each other for possession.  The two boys, Roemer (VW) and Victory (VU), both fledged on the same day, Roemer at 9:40 in the morning and Victory at 11 am on July 1. Brisa, the female and the youngest,  followed five days later, on July 6 at 2:36 in the afternoon. There was little drama. They flew to the crane then back and practiced this subsequently, returning to the nest each time. Gradually, they learned to fish for themselves and soon left the nest. Brisa hung around after the two males left. Then she flew to the nearby Richmond Yacht Club nest and began to beg there. Finally, she seemed to be catching her own fish, and one day she disappeared, either to fly around or to migrate. 

The year 2019 brought yet another dynamic. With the early demise of the third chick Gamma, there were again only two chicks on the nest. This time, one male and one female (as determined by weight at banding time). As usual, the oldest Peace-up (WP, male) was the first to fledge, with little fanfare. Also, the chatters were more adept at taking caps and even making gifs, thus throughly documenting the process. And the new cam washer allowed a clear view.

Kiskasit's (ZK) fledge was a bit more eventful. She fledged on July 3 but ended up on the lower platform and had trouble figuring out how to exit. Finally she managed. Then she ended up on the platform again. But within a day or two, she was flying expertly to and from the nest. 

Richie and Rosie were kept busy bringing fish to the two chicks. Richie would sometimes bring two fish one after the other. Peace-up seemed to be catching his own fish fairly soon and he left the nest. He was not sighted after that. Kiskasit had more trouble fishing. First she just screamed for fish at the nest. Richie took to just dropping a fish to her and flying off right away. Then she began trying to fish. She had trouble pinning down a still live flooding fish and lost them overboard. At one point, she began to bring bat rays to the nest and appeared to have been stung several times. But she learned and begged less and less as she brought her own fish to the nest. Finally she left the nest. Her departure was the latest to date of any fledgling. 

Last seen in the area: Peace-up (WP): Aug. 15, 2019; Kiskasit (ZK): Sept. 11, 2019

The Empty Nest

After the chicks have left the nest for good and become independent, Rosie and Richie hang out together for awhile until Rosie migrates. They also fix up the nest a bit, presumably to assert ownership. Then one day, Rosie migrates and Richie is left alone. He now spends time on the sand spit and elsewhere, making occasionally visits to the nest. 
​

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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