Note: this year's post runs top to bottom, unlike previous years. I apologize for the confusion.
Two ospreys on light pole nest. March 1, 2025 at 12:12 pm. cap by chaya
Rosie returned without fanfare on March 1, 2025. Richie had been bringing sticks to the lightpole nest they used last year. Then she appeared. They began fixing up the nest and he brought fish. The humans had to watch this all from afar, so we don't necessarily see all the interactions. Since then, Rosie is usually on the nest and Richie on and off. He has been bringing nest materials. They have successfully fended off a few interlopers, but not as many as when they were on the crane nest. They both tend to spend the night off the nest, on a wire in the area chatters call Little Venice, at the slips where the barges and other boats dock.
 Richie? flying. March 1, 2025  Rosie on the cable. March 1, 2025 at 5:25 pm. cap by dks. |  First stick to the nest from VA video. Feb. 27, 2025. at 7:46 am. |
 Both on the cable. March 1, 2025 at 14:57 pm. cap by dks. |  Both on the cables. March 1, 2025. photo? by Dianne A. |
 Rosie on cable March 3, 2025 photo by chaya  Skyhigh CK March 8, 2025. cap by CamOp  Big stick brought to the nest. March 10, 2025 10:44 am. cap by T28  nest building March 19, 2025. cap by Toaster28. |  on the lightpole nest 11 am March 3, 2025. photo by chaya  Rosie surveying her territory. March 11, 2025 cap by seabiscuit  Craigor checking the nest to make sure all is well. Unknown photographer. |
 Incoming stick March 11, 2025. photo by chaya |  Incoming stick March 23, 2025 12;22 pm. photo by Toaster28 |
Incoming nest material March 23, 2025 at 12:22 p. photo by Toaster28.
Rosie laid her first egg on March 31. While it is a challenge for shatters to see well on the lightpole, there is enough shared experience to recognize Rosie's egg laying behavior and the VA can review video later to watch more closely and confirm. Signs of egg laying are scooching around, lying down, then getting up and "nosing" around the nest. There is also data on the usual interval between eggs.
 Both on the nest April 3, 2025 at 7:18 am. cap by PP |  Both on the nest April 3, 2025 at 6:37 pm cap by T28 |
The second egg was laid on April 3, 2025 at 7:48 pm.
 Shift change April 5, 2025 7:20 am. |  Richie on the cable in the early morning of April 7 at 8:33 am. |
Rosie and Richie have new resting places than in the past. They do not spend time on the boom of the Whirley Crane. Instead they rest, sleep or perch on a cable in the boat slip by the crane, dubbed Pebble Beach by chatters, and on the Dutra Crane a few boat slips up, or a cable on the ROV. They will also use other light poles.
 Rosie at "Pebble Beach" April 19.2025 at 4:18 pm. photo by Toaster28.  Richmond? on guard April 19, 2025 at 8:37 am, cap by PP. |  Rosie on the Dutra Crane with a fish. April 10, 2025. at 4:27 pm  Richie on the nest pole. April 17, 2025, at 6:44 pm. cap by PP |
Nest Building April 2025
 Gull visitors. April 19, 2025 at 8:37 am. cap by Toaster28 |  Rosie eating. April 25, 2025. am. cap by PP. |
The built up nest. April 27, 2025. 10:51 am. cap by midi
 Big fish April 30, 2025 cap by T28 |  Rosie eating on pole. April 30, 2025 cap by dks |
The first egg hatched today, as seen by VA's sharp eyes and diligent watching of the video feed.
A Mother's Day gift to all chatters and to Rosie and Richie.
A Mother's Day gift to all chatters and to Rosie and Richie.
Two chicks confirmed. May 26, 2025. Video by VA.
 May 19, 2025 7:57 am. cap by T28  Rosie eating and feeding. May 18, 2025 cap by T28 |  Stick delivery May 20, 2025 6:40 am cap by jest |
Fish Delivery May 13, 2025. 6:35 pm. cap by T28
 Fish fly-in. May 26, 2025 9:01 am. cap by Toaster 28 |  Rosie brings in nest reinforcements. June 16, 2025. 8:31 am. cap by Toaster28 |
Both on the nest and a fish. May 20, 2025. 6:36 pm. cap by dks
 Interloper May 27, 2025. 4:35 pm. cap by Toaster28 |  Rosie brings in a fish. May 29, 2025. 4:33 pm. cap by CamOp. |
New long stick on the nest May 26, 2025 cap by dks.
 Two chicks. June 11,2025. 10:18 am. cap by Toaster 28;  Richmond on nest June 22, 2025. 8:36 am. cap by Jest  All on the nest June 26, 2025 at 12:58 pm. cap by Toaster 28 |  Chase afternoon of June 10, 2025. cap by chaya  All home June 28, 2025. 1:13 pm. cap by PP.  Bobbleheads. June 17, 2025. 12:19 pm cap by chaya |
 Chick hovering July 2, 2025 8:09 am. cap by Toaster 28 |  Beacon? hovering. July 3 2025 at 9:27 am cap by jest |
The Family on the nest. July 4, 2025. 11:09 am. cap by Toaster 28
Beacon? hovering July 6, 2025 photo by Toaster 28
Chick on the dome. July 7, 2025. 11:42 am. cap by Dianne A
Fledge July 8, 2025: Welcome Beacon and Valo.
On July 8, Beacon fledged successfully, immediately flying around the car lot. As chatters watched him, and saw him return to the nest, it was apparent that Valo was right behind him, and then Valo flew off. So both chicks fledged on the same day and almost the same time. Chatters have also not seen any sibling rivalry this year. All seems quite peaceful on the LightPole. Very little harassment from other birds as well. A few fly by's that Rosie has dealt with successfully.
The GGBA decided that the chicks would keep the names given to them by this year's Golden Osprey
Toaster28. So welcome Beacon and Valo. Valo means light or illumination in Finnish. There is also a Finnish musician named Ville Valo.
On July 8, Beacon fledged successfully, immediately flying around the car lot. As chatters watched him, and saw him return to the nest, it was apparent that Valo was right behind him, and then Valo flew off. So both chicks fledged on the same day and almost the same time. Chatters have also not seen any sibling rivalry this year. All seems quite peaceful on the LightPole. Very little harassment from other birds as well. A few fly by's that Rosie has dealt with successfully.
The GGBA decided that the chicks would keep the names given to them by this year's Golden Osprey
Toaster28. So welcome Beacon and Valo. Valo means light or illumination in Finnish. There is also a Finnish musician named Ville Valo.
 Beacon on the Dutra crane. July 8, 2025. 10 am. cap by PP |  Beacon on lightpole . July 8, 2025. 11:28 am cap by chaya |
 Flapping. July 8 2025. 11:27 am. cap by chaya  Both landed on pole. July 8, 2025. pic by chaya |  Landing July 8, 2025. 12:58 pm. pic by chaya |
Video of chick flying. July 9, 2025. Video by Dianne A.
 July 10, 2025. 7:44 am. cap by dks. |  Three on the nest. July 10, 2025. 9:44 am. cap by PP. |
Beacon and Valo took to the skies and haven't stopped flying. they are often away from the nest while Rosie is there keeping watch. Richie faithfully brings fish. And perhaps Rosie. Typical teenagers! They will continue to fly around, maybe join some other fledglings from other nests and fly with them, gradually learning to be independent, but knowing that their home nest is always there if needed. Since they're not banded anymore, it's hard to know for sure which osprey we are seeing in the sky. But we do know they have been successful and on their way to a wild and free life.
Rosie sitting patiently on the nest while her family roams. cap by dks.
Post fledge flying around. July 18, 2025. video by VA.
Each chick earned a song in honor of its fledge by midi. Well see if other songwriters come up with their own osprey songs.
| Valo's Song: This is Our Sky This is our sky, ospreys of all nations, A place of peace above the oceans blue. This is our sky, the place where our large wings beat, Here are our homes, our nests, our family. And other osprey hearts too are beating, And other birds are flying in the same sky. Our country's skies are bluer than the ocean And sunlight beams on golden poppies and pine. But other lands have sunlight too and poppies, And we migrate there in Fall when it is time. Oh hear my song, people of all the nations, A song of peace for your land and for mine. This is my song, ospreys of all nations, A song of peace for lands afar and mine. The Earth, its sea and its blue sky are our home, Where we live and fish, procreate, and we dine. Oh hear my song, people of all the nations, A song of peace for your land and for mine. melody is This is our Land from Finlandia | Beacon's Song When you're weary, feeling small When the wind has been too strong, I will cover you with my big wings. Oh, if you are too cold And the dark night is too long. Like a warm and fuzzy blanket. I will cover you (rpt) When you're ready to fly, When your wings are on edge And you can't wait to fledge I'll encourage you, I'll show you how, Oh, when you are afraid To take the first brave leap. Like a tug running alongside, I will sail with you. (rpt) Fly on, little Beacon, In the sky. Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine. Oh if you need some help, I'm flying right behind, Like a beacon in the vast sky, You will lead the way, (rpt) melody is Bridge over Troubled Water |
Beacon and Valo not only fledged without a hitch, they have been flyinng proficiently ever since. They seem to fly and perch with a parent or maybe their sibling. They continue to be fed at the nest and can be heard calling for a fish when Richie is nearby with one. He takes his time eating the head then finally heads their way for them to have their turn. Rosie helps too, often keeping watch on the nest, but is also getting some time to herself.
Rosie on crane aloe. July 21, 2025. 8:18 am. cap by PP
Rosie keeping watch. July 16, 2025, 8:26 am. cap by dks
 Chick arriving at nest to await fish July 22 photo by chaya  Fish delivery, a PFM. July 22. chaya |  Both on nest awaiting fish. July 22. Photo by chaya.  magnified to show the pfm. |
Beacon and Valo continue to fly around quite expertly, although one can see they are fledglings as they have not learned to use the air currents as expertly as their parents do. They return to the nest to call for fish and a parent soon supplies them. They have taken to sitting on the cables that lie across one of the boat slips. Chatters call it Pebble Beach as that is the name of the barge that moors there.
Valo and Beacon appear to hang out together quite often , even away from the nest.
Valo and Beacon appear to hang out together quite often , even away from the nest.
 Juvenile flying off. July 25,2025 2:47 pm. cap by guest. |  Juvenile on the cable. July 27, 2025. 2:32 pm. cap by Toaster28. |
Meanwhile, Rosie spends more time on the crane again, enjoying her solitude. And Richie flies around, fishing.Midi thinks she saw him fishing by the sand spit, with a juvenile. He would dive, then the juvenile
wou d dive then they would take off again.This happened several times. She didn't see if a fish was eventually caught. It was too far away to get a good picture.
wou d dive then they would take off again.This happened several times. She didn't see if a fish was eventually caught. It was too far away to get a good picture.
Rosie? on Pebble Beach cable. July 27, 2025. 4:22 pm. Toaster 28.
 photo by T28 |  2 juveniles on the cableJuly 26, 2025 photo by Toaster28 |
 Rosoie on the crane. August 3, 2025. 6:29 pm. J.  Rosie on the cable . August 14, 2025, 1:34 pm. photo by Toaster28. |  Roxie tail fan. August 3, 2025. 8:09 am. cap by chaya. |
Rosie on the crane. August 14,2025. 8:53 am. cap by Toaster 28
favorite roosting spot. August 15, 2028. Cap by dks.
 Fish to the nest. August 15, 2025, 10:31 am.cap by J.  Night roost. August 17,2025,9:06 pm. cap by dks. |  Fsh to the nest landing.  Juvenile visiting Rosie on the crane. August 20, 2025. 8:08 am. cap by CamOp. |
 Beacon doing yoga. August 20 2025. 7:52 am. cap by T28. |  Incoming fish to nest pole.August 23,2025. 5:54 pm. ccap by dks. |
At one point, Valo, who we assume is a male, left quietly without fanfare. Beacon, the presumed female stayed around, loudly calling for fish. All three roosted at night on one cable or another near the ship. Richie faithfully brought fish. Rosie also fished.
 Three on the wire at night. August 31. cap by Irene. |  Richie with a fish. August 30 at 8pm. |
 Two on the cable July 30, 2025 Rosie on the crane August 3,2025 8:18 am. gif by J | Rosie tail fan August 3, 2025 chaya |
Rosie on the crane August 14, 2025 8:53 am cap by T28
Rosie on the cable August 14, 2025 1:24 pm. cap by T28
| Beacon yoga August 20, 2025. 7:51 am. cap by T28 | Fish delivered to the nest. August 15, 2025 10:31 am. cap by J |
Incoming fish. August 23, 2025. 5:57 pm cap by dks
On the crane. August 20, 2025.
Fish Delivery September 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM. Video by VA.
 Beacon on the nest. September 16, 2025 at 2:34 pm. cap by T28. |  Fish on the night wire. September 17, 2025 T 8:22 PM. cap by dks. |
After Valo left, Beacon, presumably a female, hung around coming to the nest when she was hungry. She was duly provisioned with fish by her two parents. One day, she appeared to have brought a fish herself, calling loudly to proclaim her achievement. She disappeared soon thereafter, to start her migration. Her work done, Rosie disappeared as well, without fanfare. We did not see any farewell fish or gesture as we have in the past, possible because of our limited view.
Richie was let all alone, to resume his usual Winter bachelor life.
Richie was let all alone, to resume his usual Winter bachelor life.
 Richie all alone on the wire.September28, 2025. at 7:34 am. cap by jest. |  Richie on light pole. October 6, 2025 at 12:35 pm. ,Valo was last clearly seen (and honestly, there were no other “maybe this is Valo” moments after this) the morning of 8/17, after roosting on one of the Pebble Beach cables overnight. Above is a brief clip. In further review of Aug 17, Beacon (most likely) was seen flying to the nest with at least a partial fish. The old camera view is far too small to determine, but surprisingly, the new camera, which was focused on (likely Richmond) another nest pole, Beacon can be seen flying by. Still not clear what exactly she was carrying, though. Whatever it was, it did not appear to be a whole fish, unless it was a very small, dark fish. There were two subsequent fish deliveries, one at 10:53 (Richmond) and 11:07 (Rosie). Beacon declined the second delivery, but accepted the first. Official Last Seen times are: Valo: 8/17/25 06:20 Rosie: 9/24/25 09:18 Beacon: 9/27/25 09:53 By VA |
For more information, see the fact sheets on the sfbayospreys.org website.
Wishing Rosie, Valo and Beacon a successful flight and a restful stay down South. And a restful Winter in the Bay Area to Richie.
