Part 1: Season 2021 Rosie's Return February 18, 2021

Rosie flying in, from video by VA Feb. 18, 2021 at 16:38.

A new osprey season starts when Rosie returns to the nest. There is always much anticipation and anxious waiting by the humans for her return. This year, she returned, without fanfare, earlier than anyone anticipated. An osprey had been seen on Marker 12 recently but no one knew if it was Richie. A male osprey was seen on the nest this week but it did not look like Richie. Then Rosie flew in and immediately those watching knew it was Rosie. She looked around for Richie, then flew off. 

Rosie on boom Feb. 19 cap by lurker

Rosie protecting her nest Feb. 19 cap by C

Rosie's night roost Feb. 19 cap by Judi

Rosie close-up Feb. 20 cap by PP

Rosie has been staying near the nest, either on it or on the crane each day. She keeps looking for Richie and has made some calls. There have been no confirmed sightings of Richie. One person saw two ospreys flying high near each other. There has also been an osprey on Marker 12 periodically. We assume, however, that if Richie were near, he would visit the nest to see Rosie as he has in past years. Where are you, Richie? If an chatter visits San Pablo Reservoir, please keep an eye out for ospreys and especially Richie. He appears to have visited the reservoir regularly to catch trout last season. 

Three caps of a visitor to the next on February 16, before Rosie showed up. Was this Richie? Or someone else? Note the odd stance. Richie usually stands with his legs together. 

Rosie and corvids  Fab. 21.  cap by Lurker.

Rosie February 23 cap by lurker

Rosie February 23 cap by lurker

Rosie continues to hang around near the nest, on the crane or on the ROV wires. She has been seen eating fish that she presumably caught herself. Twice, two ospreys have been seen flying together, or one chasing the other off. There has also been an osprey on Marker 12. Richie? or other ospreys? The female osprey at the RYC nest has returned. 

 Richie possibly came to the nest February 24. But did not find Rosie. On February 25, the couple finally hooked up. A quick CK then off again.Rosie has been on the nest more and bringing sticks. Still, she leaves after a while and Richie is still mostly absent. But it is still early in the season and perhaps hormones haven't kicked in yet.

Richie flying in. Feb. 24

Rosie preparing the nest. Feb. 25 cap by lurker

Richie on Feb. 24 Note the dot under his wing.

Rosie is preparing the nest. Richie is more interested in a CK. Why isn't he bringing Rosie any fish? Of course, she can catch her own quite ably and has been seen eating fish every day. 

Richie landing for a first? CK Feb. 25 at 7:15 am gif by J

The couple is slowly getting ready for the season. They spend a lot of time off the nest but do connect during the day. Richie tries for a few CK's and Rosie has been busy bringing nesting materials. Richie has not shown much interest in helping her or in bringing fish. 

Close-up of Rosie on Feb. 26 cap by Robin

Patient Rosie watching for Richie Feb. 28 cap by PP

Rosie places a stick FEb. 28 gif by J

After a slow start, the past few days, Richie has upped his game. He and Rosie spend some time together each day, just looking out over the bay. Both are bringing sticks and grass now. And he is bringing fish to Rosie now. And asking for CK's. March 2 was a five fish day! The season has started.

Richie with a fish March 1 at 15:37 cap by lurker

Richie hands off a fish to Rosie. March 2 cap by midi

Talons tucked, Richie goes for a CK Feb. 26 cap by lurker

Richmond and Rosie together on nest Feb. 28

bringing sticks Feb. 28 enhanced cap by Robin

Still spending nights elsewhere, not on the nest. Rosie on wire probably. Feb. 28 cap by PP

CK on March 1 cap by lurker

CK stands for cloacal kiss, when the reproductive parts of each bird touch and Richie can transfer semen to Rosie. That is considered a successful CK and should lead to an egg. 

Sometimes it looks like the pair are fighting over the fish. But that is not what is happening. The talons lock onto the fish or stick and need to be unlocked. the other party helps with this. For a scientific description of this see Poole's book or ask our expert Tony\ to explain it. 
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A Day in the Life of Richmond and Rosie.  March 2  Fishing and Nesting and Mating

Richie brings nesting material March 2 cap by lurker

Richie brings a stick March 2 enhanced cap by Robin

Nest cupping is when they use their body to help form the bowl where the eggs and then chicks will lie. Richie seems to enjoy this activity. 

Richie nests-cupping March 2 cap by lurker

CK March 2 cap by J

Rosie flies off with the fish Richie brought her. March 2. cap by Crow

Richie brings a salmonid, eats the head then delivers it to Rosie. March 2 cap by lurker

Quiet Watching March 2 cap by lurker

March: Rosie and Richie have fallen back into their daily routines. Richie brings a fish to Rosie, who takes it to the crane to eat, Rosie catches her own fish at times, they sit together watching the bay from the nest, chase off the occasional intruder, and Richie asks for a CK periodically. They spend the nights off the nest and apparently apart from each other. Richie appears to be going to San Pablo Reservoir to fish. At least, he is bringing in rainbow trout. Are there any trout  close by? So far mostly sticks have been brought to the nest as rails. There has been some nest cupping but not a lot of eelgrass brought yet. Thanks to clean up efforts at the port and Pt. Isabel, human objects are not being brought in a lot, although a wooden plank with nails came and went. And a plastic bag was brought and incorporated into the nest. There are also two bird carcasses.

CK on the crane, a balancing act. March 3 cap by PP

Osprey, probably Rosie, on ship wire at night March 3 cap by midi

Rosie's plank March 5. cap by lurker. The plant subsequently fell off the nest in the storm.

Richie's perch March 6 cap by craigor

Rosie with fish, fending off an intruder March 3 cap by lurker

Richie's fish March 3 cap by lurker

Rosie brings a stick March 5 cap by craigor

Richie brings a fish to Rosie March 6 cap by lurker

Rosie sitting on plastic March 19 cap by midi

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Intruders: There are always others birds wanting to explore the nest and take it over. Or just to partake of the leftover fish. Crows are easily dispatched by Rosie and Richie. The peregrine falcon that visited was ignored as no threat. Other ospreys elicit a full on defense attack. 

Crow harassing Rosie March 8 cap by lurker

Chasing off intruders March 5

Chasing off intruder March 15 cap by lurker

Peregrine falcon and crow on crane March 5 cap by lurker

Intruder fight March 15 cap by guest

Unown female osprey visitor March 24 cap by PP

Rosie is sleeping closer to the nest at night at times. Getting ready for nesting time? Richie sleeps elsewhere and we're never sure where he is.

New night roost for Rosie March 8 cap by midi

Cold night on the nest for Rosie March 10 cap by C

Both on the nest March 18 cap by midi

Rosie and Richie brought in sticks first to make the perimeters of the nest. They are working more on the nest bowl now. This is made with grass, moss and seaweed that they pack down. The end result is soft and warm. Richie likes to sit in the nest bowl himself. But soon he will have to share it with chicks.

Rosie brings two clumps. March 11 cap by lurker

Richie's clump March 8 cap from video

Incoming Stick March 5

Rosie in nest bowl March 8 cap by midi

Rosie flips a stick March 11 gif by Robin

Richie in nest bowl March 8 cap by lurker

Rosie has begun spending more time on the nest. The nest is ready, with a deep soft bowl for the eggs to come. Richie has been spending more time on the nest with Rosie but usually spends nights elsewhere and during the day goes fishing.  Lately, he has brought a starry flounder, jasksmelt, a striped bass, and only a few salmonids. The weather has been cold and windy. 

Rosie in nest bowl March 23 cap by midi

Rosie on the nest at night March 21 cap by midi

Rosie in the rain March 18 cap by midi

Richie and Rosie together on the nest at night March 22 cap by C

Listening to the music at Riggers March 20 cap by midi

A quiet moment together on the nest March 20 cap by J

CK March 8 at 13:34 cap by PP

CK back view March 10 cap by lurker

And of course, the CK's continue. And we wonder which one will be the one to make the first egg.

Fish caught and brought to the nest February to March up until egg laying. Chart by Matrix Master craigor
The trout presumably come from the San Pablo Reservoir.