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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 Bird Alliance. They are not to be copied from this site without permission from GGABA If you enjoy this site, please consider sending a contribution to:
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goldengatebirdalliance.org

Early Spring: Rosie's Return

3/30/2019

2 Comments

 
​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.
2017
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. 

Picture
Richmond watching the installation of the camera. Feb. 2017 Photo by Tony.
Picture
The Nest February 2017 photo by Tony
Rosie arrived at some point. I do not have the date or a photo. She and Richie mated and spent time together. 
Picture
March 31, 2017 Both ospreys on the crane.
Picture
March 30, 2017 CK
​2018
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. 
Picture
December 2, 2017
Picture
Richie on sand spit Oct. 5, 2017
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Richie and visiting crows Feb. 3, 2018
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Messy Nest Feb. 22, 2018
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Building up the nest Feb. 19, 2018

Then on March 2 in the early evening, Rosie arrived, heralded by a rainbow.
PictureRosie on nest March 2, 2018 5:54 pm

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. 
Picture
Richie bringing nest materials March 4,2018 cap by J.
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Hey, Rosie, would this be good for the nest bowl? March 5, 2018 cap by J.
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Richmond brings a ship to the nest. Cap by SaMo March 3, 2018
And Rosie got right to work, using the materials he brought to make a comfortable nest bowl and a nest railing. 
Picture
Rosie in newly hollowed out nest bowl March 8, 2018
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Rosie nestorating March 9, 2018
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Talking Fish cap by Crow
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March 4, 2018 at 6am cap by J.
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Waiting patiently for a fish March 13, 2018 10:42 am
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Richie showing off? Cap by SailMonkey
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March 4, 2018 at 11 am cap by Craigor
Rosie and Richie got right to it. They knew what to do. 
But Richie had other duties as well. His mate expected to be fed. Sometimes she waited patiently; other times, if he took too long, she called for her fish. Richie was a good provider.
Picture
Richie brings a fish March 16, 2018 10:42 am
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Richie, where is my fish? March 13, 2018 1:48 pm
Picture
Rosie finally has a fish. March12, 2018 3:44 pm
2019
​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. 
Picture
Richie on nest with new ferry February 20, 2019 cap by SailMonkey
Picture
January 2, 2019
Picture
Feb. 11, 2019 at 10:38 am
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. 
Picture
Richie getting sticks ready for Rosie. Feb. 23, 2019 at 2:19 pm cap by Dianne A.
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Rosie arrives, greeted by Richie. Feb. 23, 2019 2:22 pm cap by Dianne A
Richie lost no time bringing her fish and a gift. 
Picture
Richie brings a gift Feb. 24, 2019 at 7am cap by J
Picture
Richie brings a fish for Rosie Feb. 24, 2019 at 10:23 am cap by Robin
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. 
Picture
On February 27, Rosie had to contend with a very persistent corvid intruder. 
Osprey intruders also came by more frequently in 2019, possibly due to an increased population and thus more young unpaired ospreys. 
All caps are by Kat
Picture
Picture
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.
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Picture
Rosie moves in to get her fish 3/11/19 cap by Midi
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..
Picture
bringing a stick 3/11/19 cap by Kat
Picture
Rosie preparing the nest bowl 3/11/19 cap by J.
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Rosie with fish 2/28/19 cap by Midi
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Richie with fish 3/8/19 cap by C
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. 
Picture
Osprey landing March 10 2019 cap by SaMo
Picture
Richmond-SF ferry cap by Midi
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Richie brings two fish at once 3/11/19 gif by Robin
Picture
teal blanket on nest cap by K 3/6/19
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. 
Picture
CK 3/14/19 cap by Midi
Picture
CK 3/15 19 cap by SaMo
Over the Rainbow
 
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
An osprey is flying,
Soaring 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
So we can greet her.
 
Somewhere over the rainbow
Ospreys fly.
They fly over the rainbow;
Why, then, oh why can’t I?

 -Midi

​
​Rosie's Song to Richie

Up in the nest, on Whirley Crane,
Hang your head over, listen to the rain.

Hang your head over, Richie, my dear
Listen for my call, for I am near.
 
Stay on the nest,  my mate Richie
Wait for me there, do not forsake me.
 
I will be true to you, if you’ll be true to me,
So do not fly over to the RYC.
 
When I arrive, I have but one wish,
I will be hungry,  please bring me a fish.
 
I do not need red, I do not need teal,
But a quick CK will seal the deal.
 
Hang your head over, in the misting rain,
Wait for me Richie, I’ll soon see you again. 
 
 
-Midi
Rosie's Return
​

​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?
 
Then when it 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
O’er the Bay Rosie flew.
She went 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 make ourselves a home,
And raise a family too.
 
We now 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
2 Comments

Egg Laying

3/15/2019

1 Comment

 
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. 
Picture
Egg number 1, laid March 31
Picture
Egg number 2 just laid April 3, 2019 cap by Kat
PictureRosie and three eggs April 15, 2019 cap by J.

 Egg 1 laid: youtu.be/DH1CHIIV2QM
 Egg 2 laid: youtu.be/K68Mlltxmos
 Egg 3 laid:https://youtu.be/nKzw7RNEoSE
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. 
Picture
Rosie, rope and Monkey April 4, 2019 cap by Midi
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Incoming fish. Cap by C April 15, 2019
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Fish presentation to Rosie. cap by C April 11, 2019 Richie usually presents the fish then flies off with it to eat the head, to return about 5 minutes later with the fish for Rosie.
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Fish hand-off to Rosie. She grabs it and flies to the strut to eat it usually. Cap by C April 11, 2019
Richie catches a fish then flies around with it, to deter intruder gulls, crows and other ospreys. Then he flies to the nest to show it to Rosie before flying off again to eat the head. He returns to bring her the fish, which she grabs and she flies off. First she guts the fish, then she eats it. During this time, Richie gets his incubation time, which he seems to love.
Picture
Gutting the fish. Cap by SaMo, April 15, 2019
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Rosie waits for her turn. April 18, 2019 10:46:18 am cap by Midi
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Richie is not budging. Rosie insists on her turn, nudging and finally poking Richie (gently) with her foot. April 18, 2019 10:46:29 am cap by Midi
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. 
PictureThe couple on the nest April 18, 2019 cap by Midi

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. 
1 Comment

Chicks: hatch to fledge

3/14/2019

1 Comment

 
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.
Picture
First Day May 9, 2018 cap by SaMo
Picture
Rosie looking at 2 chicks May 12, 2018 cap by Robin
​The first week after hatching is spent under the mother. The chicks are fairly naked, covered with a soft down, and susceptible to cold. The chick sits up with its head bobbling, beak open for food. Rosie, and occasionally Richie, places a bit of fish in the chick's beak. At first this is hit or miss, but the chick quickly learns to accept the fish bit and swallow it. When sated, it lies down in a food coma and sleeps. This is repeated when the next fish arrives. Richie the provider has to up his game and provide more fish now. (see the fish chart).
Picture
Downy stage at night May 17, 2019 cap by Midi
PictureWP/Alpha's first bite May 9, 2019 cap by SaMo

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Three chicks May 16, 2018 cap by Midi
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. 
Picture
May 21, 2017 Whirley and Rivet gif by Craigor?
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Feeding Time May 24, 2018 cap by Midi
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Squabble May 24, 2018 cap by Dianne A
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May 20, 2019 cap by Midi
 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.
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Twilight on the nest May 29, 2018 cap by Midi
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May 29,2018 Three V's alone on the nest cap by Midi
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May 30, 2018 Rosie supervising the chicks cap by Midi
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May 26, 2019 wingercizing gif by Robin
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Alpha (WP) showing talons May 23, 2019 cap by SaMo
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Poop happens May 29, 2019 cap by Robin
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. 
Picture
June 8, 2017 ZR and WB cap by Midi
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feathers coming in June 8, 2019 cap by SaMo
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June 6, 2019 cap by SaMo
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June 2, 2018 The three V's cap by Midi
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WP wing-ercizing June 9, 2019 gif by Robin
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. 
Picture
Bow to your Partner ZR and WB mid-June 2017 cap by Crow
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Oops, dropped the kelp on the chicks June 2017 cap by ?
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Roemer wingercizing June 12, 2018 gif by J
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June 22, 2018 cap by Midi
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Three chicks waiting for the fish June 28, 2018 cap by Robin
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Self-feeding June 18, 2019 gif by Robin
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Post-banding June 15, 2019 gif by J
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June 18, 2019 cap by Midi
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Rosie happy with Whirley's progress June 26,2017
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WP hovering June 26, 2019 gif by J
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gif by Robin
1 Comment

Fledging

3/10/2019

0 Comments

 
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.  
2017
PictureWhirley (WB) returning to the nest after fledge. July 3, 2017

Picture
Rosie happy with Whirley's progress
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Whirley on lower platform trying to figure out how to return to the nest. July 3, 2017 at 9:08 am
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Last night on the nest together. July 3, 1028 11:32 pm
PictureRosie happy with Whirley's progress.
Whirley (WB) was the first of the chicks on the nest to fledge on camera. On July 3 in the day, she flew and landed on the platform below the nest. She stayed there a while trying to figure out how to get back to the nest. After a number of hours she managed and returned to the nest. 
That night, in the early morning dark (July 4), she flew from the nest. Two chatters observed this but no one knows what actually caused her to fly. 
She was heard around the Bay the next day, there seemed to be chirping between her and the adults, and Richie seemed to be visiting her. Then on July 5, she was found in the water, with a blunt force injury by crew members of a Dutra barge. They informed authorities and she was taken to Wildcare in San Rafael. Unfortunately, they were unable to save her. (memorial to Whirley on another page). 
​

Picture
WB fledged looking back at ZR on nest, not yet fledged, July 3, 2017 cap by J
Picture
Injured Whirley on Dutra barge after being fished out of the Bay. photo courtesy of Dutra
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Whirley on cable after fledge July 3, 2017 cap by Ali
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Last night together on the nest: Rosie, Rivet, Whirley July 3, 2017 11:32 pm
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. 
Picture
Picture
Rivet's take-off at 10:36am on July 5, 2017
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Rivet on the crane 10:55 am July 5, 2017
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Tuckered-out Rivet July 5, 2017at 6:31 pm
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Back on the nest, but let's try one more flight before bedtime. 10:17 pm
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. 
Picture
Roemer fledges July 1 at 9:10 am cap by Robin
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Victory fledges July 1 at 11:47 am cap by Robin
Picture
Roemer, Victory and Brisa on July 4, 2018
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Brisa fledges July 6 2018 at 2:38 pm
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Brisa on crane with parent July 7, 2018
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Richie brings a fish, July 30, 2018
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Wet chick on nest, presumably from trying to fish. July 19, 2018
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Last seen in the area: Roemer (VW) Aug. 8, 2018; Victory (VU) Aug. 12, 2018; Brisa (VV) Sept. 2, 2018 at the Richmond Yacht Club nest. Photo taken by and property of Dianne A.

​
2019
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.
Picture
Peace-up (WP) hovering June 29, 2019
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Two chicks flapping July 1, 2019 gif by Robin or J
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Peace-up (WP) fledge, June 30 5:42 in the evening. Cap by Robin
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Peace-up walking down the cable July 9, 2019 sped up gif by Robin
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Kiskasit watching her brother on the crane July 1, 2019 gif by J
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. 
Picture
Kiskasit hover July 3 4:35 pm cap by Midi
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Rosie watching over Kiskasit on lower platform, July 3 evening cap by Calgal
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Kiskasit on platform again.
Picture
The family together July 9, 2019
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. 
​
Picture
September 19, 2019 cap by Midi
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September 13, 2019 cap by Midi
Picture
Rosie and Richie on Marker 12 Sept. 17, 2019
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Sept. 25, 2019 Rosie saying good-bye to Richie? Her presumed last day on the nest. cap by Robin, enhancement by SaMo
0 Comments

Fledging and Migration

3/5/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
Rivet (ZR), hovering on July 4, 2017

After egg laying, hatching and growing, it is time for the ospreys to fledge. Learning to fly is a big part of the birds' life. For flying means independence. They can now fish for themselves, they can find new places to roost and meet other ospreys, and they can migrate. First the fledglings practice hovering above the nest, then they take short practice flights. They are not considered fledged until they fly from one point to another, away from the nest. They quickly learn to fly farther, taking practice loops out over the Bay. But then they return to the nest as they have not yet learned to catch their own food. Each day, they fly farther afield, strengthening their wing muscles and learning. They may spend all day away from the nest but usually return to spend the night and to beg for fish from the parents. Then one day, they don't return. And when the humans who watch them haven't seen them for a number of days, either on the nest or perched elsewhere in the area, it is assumed that they have migrated.
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2017
In 2017, there were two osprey chicks. Whirley, the oldest and the restless one, fledged in the early morning of July 3, after the fireworks at the pavilion. She was probably not fully ready and she was found in the water by a barge crew several days later. She was taken to Wildcare in San Rafael but they could not save her. She could have injured herself while diving for fish, as she was not yet practiced. Or there could be other reasons for her injury. At any rate, her demise was not uncommon. Rivet was less restless. He liked to stay around the nest and be fed. He fledged July 5, 2017 but often returned to the nest, even when his parents were not about. He migrated around August 20 and returned in the Spring of 2019. He wears a blue band ZR.
Picture
Rivet fledging on July 5, 2017
2018
The 2018 chicks had a different experience. They interacted quite a bit on the nest and often argued, as siblings will do. They loudly yelled for fish and fought each other for possession.  The males fledged on the same day. Brisa, the female and the youngest, fledged later.  Gradually, they learned to fish for themselves and soon left the nest.  
Picture
Wet chick, who presumably had tried fishing but now awaits a fish from the parents. 2018.
Picture
Brisa, July 30, 2018. Why fish when you can just scream loudly and have one brought to you?
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, presumably to migrate South.
PictureBrisa on flagpole. Photo taken by Dianne Ayres. September 1, 2018

2018  Below is a chart of the important dates for the 2018 chicks, thanks to our WWOC'er Robin.
Picture
Rosie and Richie hung together for a while, roosting at night on the ship cable. They seemed to enjoy each other's company. Then Rosie left, without fanfare. Richie continued to sleep on the cable for a few nights then moved to his fishing spot on the sandspit and we don't know where he spends the nights. He is alone, but he knows his Rosie will return in the Spring. Meanwhile, he will visit the nest occasionally, just to assert his ownership. 
Picture
Rosie at sunset on railing of nest, September 6, 2018


Rosie’s Migration Song
(tune 500 Miles)
 
If you miss my take-off flight, if you don’t see me tonight,                             
You will know that I have flown to lands unknown.
1000 miles, 2000 miles, 3000 miles, 4000 miles,
Oh, I’m flying thousands of miles from my home.
                                                             
Then one day I will land  on some far off Southern strand
And I’ll spend the winter there in weather fair.                                            
1000 miles, 2000 miles, 3000 miles, 4000 miles,
I will fly thousands of miles to my new home
                                    
But one day in early Spring, I will once again take wing
And I’ll fly through sun and rain, to find my mate again.
1000 miles, 2000 miles, 3000 miles, 4000 miles,
I will fly thousands of miles to come back home.
                                       
If you miss my take-off flight, if you don’t see me tonight,
You will know that I am flying  my way home. 
 
 
-MW2018
Picture
Richie shooing a crow off the nest September 26, 2018 cap by Robin

Osprey Are Born to Fly


Osprey are born to fly
To soar in wild blue sky.
They grow, they fledge, they mate
Lay eggs, raise young, migrate.
And when they say good-by,
They do not cry,
They do not wonder why.
 
But you and I-
We were born to laugh and cry.
We worry and we fret,
We doubt, hope and regret.
And when we say good-by
We sigh and cry
And forever ask why.
 
So when the osprey fly, 
Let them soar in wild sky
If you must, then cry
If you must, wave good-by,
But then let them fly free
Away from you and me,
Free just to be. 
 
MW 2018
Picture
2017
Picture
2017
1 Comment

    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 eight years. 

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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
    February 2019- Rivet's Diary
    January 2019- The Nest
    October 2018- The Boats
    Sept. 2018- The Fish
    July 2018 In Memoriam 
    andThe Red Oak Victory ship
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