The chatters who call themselves the WWOC held their annual osprey party on September 28 at Point Molate Park. It was a lower key event with fewer attendees than in the past and no music, but a good time was had by all. There was lots of good home-cooked food, a chance to talk with everyone and prizes awarded. The Richie Treasure Table was on view and the intrepid craigor and calgal blew their conch shells to send Rosie on her way. And the weather was perfect. A good ending to a nerve-wracking but educational season that ended well for the ospreys. Richie functioned well with one lost talon and faithfully brought fish to the high nest, as did Rosie, Rosie laid eggs and incubated them, mostly out of our sight, then we saw two bobbleheads that grew into teenagers and fledged successfully. The fledging was new to us as they had to fly a distance and learn to get height to go back to the nest. But learn they did. The chicks were named but not banded and it was harder to identify them once they were off the nest and flying around. Also, there were more ospreys from other nests this year. The population is growing!
One is a lonely number. Richie on the ROV cable. September 22, 2024. 6 pm. cap by dks
Rosie on her night perch. Sept. 19, 2024. 8:50 pm. cap by dks. Now we have reached the end of the 2024 Osprey season. It was a bit anticlimactic as we couldn't know exactly when and where the chicks have been and when Rosie left. But the official statement is that Rosie was last seen on September 20. Pax was last seen August 23 and Tully was seen September 14. They may both be around the area, flying with other fledglings. Rosie will have migrated. Ospreys are being sighted on light poles and elsewhere. Richie has been at his usual nighttime roost most nights. We cannot really identify the two fledglings now so we don't know if they're still here or have left. Unfortunately, they were not banded this year. No news on Shasta and that nest. It would be interesting to know how that couple fared this year.
 Rosie on the rail. September 10, 2024. 11:26 am.  Rosie on the rail close-up, September 10, 2024. 9:21 am. cap and crop by Toaster28. |  Richie and Rosie on a light pole. September 10 , 2024, 9:47 am cap by dks.  Rosie flying off. September 10, 2024. 9:20 am. cap by dk. |
End of Season September 2024
In late August, Tully and Pax were flying but still asking for fish Richie and Rosie provided, flying to the nest but not staying on it. Tully was especially demanding, calling for fish when she saw a parent on a nearby light pole eating their share. Pax flew off and disappeared earlier. Presumably he had learned to catch his own fish. It is usual for the females to stay on the nest longer.
Richie and Rosie took to spending the nights together on the ROV cables.
Richie and Rosie took to spending the nights together on the ROV cables.
Fish delivery to Tully. September 1, 2024. at 6:21 pm.
Rosie on the rail September 6, 2024. 9:03 am. cap by Jest.
Dropped fish delivery. Video by VA.
Rosie on the crane, sleek then fluffed. August 25, 2024. cap by Robin.
 Rosie on the crane. August 24, 2024, Cap by Toaster28.  Both Rosie and Richie on the ship cables. September 3, 2024, 8:01 pm. cap by PP. |  Rosie on the crane. August 26, 2024, 8:07 am. cap by chaya.  Lightpole 7 with the nest at night in the fog. September 7 , 2024 at 7:16 pm. cap by Benjamin. |
September 7: Both Tully and Pax are fully fledged now. Pax stays mostly off the nest while Tully spends time on the nest and has her fish delivered there. Both are proficient fliers now. Rosie and Richie do not spend time on the nest. They will deliver a fish then leave. At night, they sleep on their respective wires, often with a fish in their talons. Rosie has been spending some time on the rail of the crane nest. This is something she has done in the past as she contemplates migrating. The time is drawing near.
Meanwhile the human chatters are busy planning their annual Empty Nest Party that will take place on September 28 at Point Molate Park. Check chat for more information and updates.
Meanwhile the human chatters are busy planning their annual Empty Nest Party that will take place on September 28 at Point Molate Park. Check chat for more information and updates.
Flying around the car lot, Tully chasing Pax. August 19 at 7:11 pm. Video by VA.
Richie and Rosie on their night time perch. Cap by Dk.
August 20: Both Pax and Tully are flying well now, albeit not as proficiently as their parents (making it easier to identify them), but both return to the nest to be fed. They can be seen flying around the parking lot and up on the hill by the tanks. Tully has taken to chasing Pax off the nest. Both Rosie and Richie have taken to sleeping off the nest, on cables of the ROV or nearby. They are fishing, perching with their fish on a wire, and/or bringing it to the nest. Richie often brings his fish to the old raven's nest on the light pole by the buildings to eat at leisure while his kids yell for their share. The gulls are nesting in their usual spot on the ship and will chase off any osprey that gets too near. Pax has been seen flying with a fish but it doesn't appear that he is fishing for himself yet.
Pax carrying off a headless fish. Photo by Dianne A. August 11, 2024.
Pax flying over the hill with a fish. August 11, 2024. Photo by Dianne A.
 Probably Richie on the wire at night. August 15, 2024 at 9:44 pm. cap by midi.  Plain Fin Midshipman delivered to the nest. August 8, 2024 4:39 pm. Cap by watcher. |  Both on the nest, with Tully eating. August 16, 2024, at 9:25 am. Cap by midi. |
Tully's flying was hesitant and low but she has been improving every day. Now she and Pax are fighting over the fish brought to the nest. She pushes him off the nest and he can be seen flying around. But he comes back to get his share. Richie has been busy delivering fish to both chicks and they're both getting their share in the end. Both are flying more proficiently now as well. Pax has even been seen flying around with a fish from the nest. Both Richie and Rosie seem to spend the nights elsewhere, Richie on the ROV cables and Rosie in a private spot near the Dutra Crane.
Tully did a lot of flapping and hovering for a while. Finally, on the afternoon of August 7, she basically fledged accidentally by being blown off the nest. All her hovering came in handy as she managed to fly to the same low electric pole as Pax had done. She flew around the car lot and landed on a car then flew around some more. Eventually, she flew over by the Dutra Crane. Three gulls chased her (they're nesting on the ship), and she landed down by the Dutra Crane. Eventually, she managed to get back to the nest. The VA's videos show these actions the best.
The two chicks waiting for a fish delivery. August 6, 2024. 6:53 am. cap by PP.
 Fish delivery. August 4, 2024. 6:15 pm. cap by T28  All four at the nest. August 5, 2024. 11:54 am. cap by Dianne A. |  Tully landing on the dome. August 5, 2024. meme by PP. |
August 6: Pax is flying quite proficiently but returns to the nest and stays there mostly. This is where the fish is delivered. Richie and Rosie are still faithfully providing fish but letting the teenagers feed themselves more and more. Tully is hovering but seems to have some trouble piloting and landing. While she is outside the previous window for fledging, this nest site may prove more challenging since they have to actually leave the physical area. On the crane they basically "branched" by a short flight to the boom of the crane. One osprey even walked down the crane back to the nest. This year, the fledglings must take off, fly a distance then return or fly and land on another light pole. And the landing area is smaller than the Whirley nest Tully has done the short hop to the lightpole cover and should soon fledge for real. Unfortunately, the chicks are not banded this year, so it will be hard to keep track of them. Pax does have the same dot under his wing that Richie has.
Note that the apparent shaking of the nest is not the nest itself but the camera recording that is shaking. the light poles are quite sturdy and do not shake.
July 30:
Pax finally came back to the nest, having figured out how to fly in circles to gain altitude. He has become a proficient flier. He stays on the nest and gets fed but periodically takes off for a flight and stays on another light pole for a while. Meanwhile, Tully seems happy to stay on the nest, although she (the chatters call Tully she) is practicing wingercizing some.
The Youtube videos created by our hardworking Video Assistant capture the actions of the birds the best.
Pax finally came back to the nest, having figured out how to fly in circles to gain altitude. He has become a proficient flier. He stays on the nest and gets fed but periodically takes off for a flight and stays on another light pole for a while. Meanwhile, Tully seems happy to stay on the nest, although she (the chatters call Tully she) is practicing wingercizing some.
The Youtube videos created by our hardworking Video Assistant capture the actions of the birds the best.
 Pax hovering. See underwing mark. JUly 28, 2024. 1:43 pm. cap by IHM.  Hover by Pax. July 27, 2024. 4:49 pm. cap by PP. |  Fish delivery to the nest. July 29, 2024. 5:13 pm. cap by Toaster28.  Pax on the dome of the lightpole. July 26, 2024. cap by watcher. |
July 25: Meanwhile, Tully, who has done some wing flapping, seems quite content to stay on the tall lightpole receiving fish from her parents. Both Richie and Rosie have been faithfully bringing fish to both chicks.Rosie brought a big clump of Bay material to the nest and delivered a stick to Pax, One can only conjecture as to the reason for the stick. Instinctual behavior? A piece of home for him Or???
Stick brought to Pax on rhe roof of the shed. July 25, 2024. 7:33 am. cap by PP.
Fledge:Pax, who is presumably the eldest chick, fledged on July 22 at 6am. He appears to have done so "accidentally" but is doing fine. He was seen flying then disappeared and wasn't found for a day. On the 24th, he was seen by a chatter down by the channel next to the ROV. Later he moved to the little shed by Canal Street. He did some flying then he settled there where Rosie came to feed him. He flew a bit then settled there again. He appears to be doing well, having flown, having eaten, and fairly safe from predators. He will practice flying and learn to circle in order to rise up to the level of the nest and maybe settle in again. Tully is still on the nest. Both Rosie and Richie are doing a great job of looking after both chicks and finding Pax to feed him.
Chatters were able to watch much of the action on the roof of the building and the little pole (security camera/light?) by the building.
Chatters were able to watch much of the action on the roof of the building and the little pole (security camera/light?) by the building.
Fish delivery to the little pole. July 23, 2024 at 5:47 pm .cap by PP.
 Pax and an adult on the power pole July 24, 2024. at 6:53 am. cap by PP |  Pax on security pole in car lot. July 23, 2024. at 3:30 pm. cap by CamOp.  |
Official video of Pax' fledge by the Video Assistant
The chicks are easier to see now. There are definitely two, one larger than the other. They have their feathered wings now and are wingercizing. Fledge date should be around July 20.
Fledging July/August 2024
The two teenage chicks with Rosie. July 19, 2024. cap by dks.
Hover. July 21, 2024.
Wingercizing. Video by VA. July 14, 2024
Names: Name suggestions were submitted to the GGBA that curated the list and submitted several choices to a vote. The winning names were Tully (meaning peaceful) and Pax. It has been "decided" informally that the eldest chick is Pax and is probably male and the younger one is Tully and is being presumed to be female. This is all very unofficial since no experts have had contact with the chicks this year. It is mainly from observation by chatters of behaviors and physical characteristics.
 photos of wingflapping taken from below by chaya. July 9 2024. |  Rosie with a fish and one chick exercising its wings while the other is fed. photo by chaya July 9, 2024. |
movie from Youtube taken by Dianne A. July 10, 2024.
July 9, 2024
The chicks have developed feathers and are now exercising their wings. This makes them easier to see. Their heads stick up too and we can see Rosie feeding them. There are definitely two chicks. There has been some bopping but not a lot that we can see. They are stretching their wings and are definitely teenagers, getting ready to fly. They should be fledging within two weeks. It will be interesting to see where they land when fledging. My guess is a nearby light pole as that is what they know and what is closest to them. We are used to seeing them "branch" first, that is just land on a spot near the nest, i.e. the boom of the crane. But that can't happen this year and isn't necessary. Many ospreys fledge from high posts to others some distance away.
The chicks were named by this year's Golden Osprey. Their names are, appropriately, Lumière (Lumi) and Ultraviolet (Ultra or UV). There seems to be no chance that they will be banded, given their location.
The chicks have developed feathers and are now exercising their wings. This makes them easier to see. Their heads stick up too and we can see Rosie feeding them. There are definitely two chicks. There has been some bopping but not a lot that we can see. They are stretching their wings and are definitely teenagers, getting ready to fly. They should be fledging within two weeks. It will be interesting to see where they land when fledging. My guess is a nearby light pole as that is what they know and what is closest to them. We are used to seeing them "branch" first, that is just land on a spot near the nest, i.e. the boom of the crane. But that can't happen this year and isn't necessary. Many ospreys fledge from high posts to others some distance away.
The chicks were named by this year's Golden Osprey. Their names are, appropriately, Lumière (Lumi) and Ultraviolet (Ultra or UV). There seems to be no chance that they will be banded, given their location.
 Nesting material being brought in. July 5, 2024. 7:02 am. cap by dk.  Nest build-up. July 1, 2024. photo by Toaster28 |  Rosie bringing in a stick. June 27, 2024. photo by Toaster28  chicks' heads July 6, 2024 11:43 am. photo by Toaster28. |
The osprey family. July 8, 2024. 6:47 am. cap by IHM
June 2024: Chicks
June 27, 2024
While it is hard to see the action in the nest due to the height of the ligh pole and the jiggling motion from the camera, chatters have been able to watch Richie and sometimes Rosie deliver fish and feed them chicks. WE can see two bobbleheads poking up now. it is harder to catch good still caps, so our faithful VA has been providing regular video summaries. We also have BOTG (people who go down in person) who shoot pictures or short videos from the ground.
There are also reports from other nests. I do not post those here but the most significant one for the Whirley nest is the Coyote Point nest on the other side of the Bay, because it is our Lassen who is on that nest. So Rosie and Richie have at least one nest with grandchicks this year. Locals who are interested in other nests might want to visit Point Molate as well. There are many nests there with successful hatchlings who should be fledging and flying around soon. It's a very active osprey spot now, with nests all along Stenmark Drive all the way to Point San Pablo and the Sailing Goat restaurant where there is a nest on a platform in the little dock/Bay there.
While it is hard to see the action in the nest due to the height of the ligh pole and the jiggling motion from the camera, chatters have been able to watch Richie and sometimes Rosie deliver fish and feed them chicks. WE can see two bobbleheads poking up now. it is harder to catch good still caps, so our faithful VA has been providing regular video summaries. We also have BOTG (people who go down in person) who shoot pictures or short videos from the ground.
There are also reports from other nests. I do not post those here but the most significant one for the Whirley nest is the Coyote Point nest on the other side of the Bay, because it is our Lassen who is on that nest. So Rosie and Richie have at least one nest with grandchicks this year. Locals who are interested in other nests might want to visit Point Molate as well. There are many nests there with successful hatchlings who should be fledging and flying around soon. It's a very active osprey spot now, with nests all along Stenmark Drive all the way to Point San Pablo and the Sailing Goat restaurant where there is a nest on a platform in the little dock/Bay there.
Richie brings a fish June 27, 2024. photo from the ground by Toaster28
Fish delivery June 18, 2024 at 10:39 am cap by midi
June 13, 2024
There seem to be two chicks on the nest. Their little heads can now be seen. They have engaged in a bit of bopping. The video of that can be seen on the Facebook page. Richie faithfully delivers fish and the two take turns sitting over the chicks. All is progressing normally.
Plain Fin Midshipman brought by Richie. video by calgal. June 4, 2024
There seem to be two chicks on the nest. Their little heads can now be seen. They have engaged in a bit of bopping. The video of that can be seen on the Facebook page. Richie faithfully delivers fish and the two take turns sitting over the chicks. All is progressing normally.
Plain Fin Midshipman brought by Richie. video by calgal. June 4, 2024
 Fish brought to the crane. June 9, 2024 10:08 am. Toaster28 |  Fish brought to the pole nest. June 9, 2024. 1:35 pm. photo by Toaster 28. |
June 4, 2024
This is all uncharted territory for watchers this year. We can only see from afar and infer what is happening on the nest. Based on past observations, it was determined that at least one egg has hatched. There is hope that there might be a second chick. Rosie's head bobbing indicates she is feeding a chick. Also, Richie is faithfully delivering fish and the pattern is as usual, that he delivers then returns to get the fish back. Rosie takes short breaks, during which Richie stays on the nest.
There is some harassment of the nest by other birds but less than before. The crows and gulls and other ospreys chase Richie when he has caught a fish, but he knows how to maneuver around them. When he delivers a fish to the nest, there is some harassment by a crow or a gull fly by, but nothing serious. And of course the raccoons can't climb the light pole (as far as we know!). Given our limited sight, the videos are showing the osprey behavior the best. These are on the osprey nest website as well as on Facebook. I cannot link the Facebook videos here but will post some of the Youtube ones.
This is all uncharted territory for watchers this year. We can only see from afar and infer what is happening on the nest. Based on past observations, it was determined that at least one egg has hatched. There is hope that there might be a second chick. Rosie's head bobbing indicates she is feeding a chick. Also, Richie is faithfully delivering fish and the pattern is as usual, that he delivers then returns to get the fish back. Rosie takes short breaks, during which Richie stays on the nest.
There is some harassment of the nest by other birds but less than before. The crows and gulls and other ospreys chase Richie when he has caught a fish, but he knows how to maneuver around them. When he delivers a fish to the nest, there is some harassment by a crow or a gull fly by, but nothing serious. And of course the raccoons can't climb the light pole (as far as we know!). Given our limited sight, the videos are showing the osprey behavior the best. These are on the osprey nest website as well as on Facebook. I cannot link the Facebook videos here but will post some of the Youtube ones.
 Richie on the dome of the nest lightpole (Lightpole 1). June 3, 2024 10:56 am. cap by dks |  Richie with leftovers. May 29 2024 at 9:48 pm. cap by dks. |
Rosie, of course, spends her nights on the nest, another sign that she has chicks. Richie spends his nights on his favorite cable of the ROV ship.
The osprey pair still defends the crane as their territory..
Richie brings a pfm to the nest. June 2, 2024, 9:04 am. cap by IHM
Richie's pfm. June 2, 2024. 9:20 am. cap by T28.
June 3, 2024. 8:55 am. cap by PP. Note the harasser in back.
June 13: There seem to be two chicks on the nest. Their heads can now be seen and Rosie can be seen feeding them. One was seen tussling with the other one. A video of that can be seen on Facebook.
Richie regularly delivers fish to the nest, often stopping by the crane first. He has brought a Plain Finn Midshipman twice. In the past, it has been Rosie who has brought them. They can be caught near the crane.
Richie regularly delivers fish to the nest, often stopping by the crane first. He has brought a Plain Finn Midshipman twice. In the past, it has been Rosie who has brought them. They can be caught near the crane.
PFM called by calgal. June 4, 2024.
| Fish delivery to the lightpole nest. June 9, 2024 .1:35 pm. photo by Toaster28. |  Rosie and Richie on the nest together. June 11, 2024. 3:32 pm. cap by craigor. |
Chick head visible. June 11, 2024 3:02 pm. cap by watcher.