LIghtpole 1. April 11, 2024. cap by midi
Well, this has been an interesting start to the season. After Rosie returned, she and Richie played around, alighting here and there but showing little interest in the old nest, which is now empty of material, or the sheave nest they built last year. They brought sticks here and there but couldn't settle on ons spot. Meanwhile, the crows and the gulls were harassing them and showing interest in the crane. In the end, Rosie started roosting on a light pole and soon she and Richie were bringing sticks there. Now it appears that they have definitely chosen that light pole as their nest area this year. They have upped their delivery of sticks and a real nest is forming. Meanwhile, Rosie is beginning to stay on that nest more and may even be spending the night there instead of on the ship cables where they had been sleeping. There have been a few CK's.
 Both on the nest in the morning of April 11, 2024 at 6:23 in the morning. cap by Jest. |  April 14, 2024, cap by PP. |
Of course, this makes it harder for the viewers to see the ospreys close up. The camera operators are doing a great job trying to get close-ups of the pole and our own Toaster28 has been providing photos and videos from the ground and reporting on the birds' activity. The ospreys choose; the humans can only go with the flow.
Nest on LIght pole 1 (aka7) April 10, 2024 at 7:08 am. cap by midi.
Meanwhile, there are many more ospreys around the port area now, as well as at Pt. Molate and even Pt. Isabel. The ospreys in these nests are all paired up and nesting in earnest. The nest by the entrance to the car lot has a young, handsome couple nicknamed the Porters. There is a nest off Canal Blvd nicknamed the Wharfers. And of the nests at Pt Molate, three are easy to access: the nest by the entrance to the park, a nest on the right side of the road at a pull out by the tracks, and a nest in the harbor next to the Sailing Goat Restaurant. At Point Isabel, there is a nest on a structure in the water off the trail South of the sail surfer access point. I was able to watch the male fly over to the shallow area, dive, catch a fish and deliver it to his mate. They are nicknamed Brooks and Isabel. . Happy osprey watching!
April 17
Rosie and Richie have definitely chosen LightPole 1 (aka7) as their nest platform this year. Sticks have been brought and nesting materials and the nest is beginning to look viable to the human watchers. Fish are being eaten on the pole as well. But they seem to be sleeping on the wires at night still.. There is as yet no sign of Rosie laying eggs. There is still time. The weather changed today, to the warm upper 70's and plenty of sunshine.
Rosie and Richie have definitely chosen LightPole 1 (aka7) as their nest platform this year. Sticks have been brought and nesting materials and the nest is beginning to look viable to the human watchers. Fish are being eaten on the pole as well. But they seem to be sleeping on the wires at night still.. There is as yet no sign of Rosie laying eggs. There is still time. The weather changed today, to the warm upper 70's and plenty of sunshine.
 Richie delivers a clump. April 16, 2024, 7:41 am. cap by PP  Two ospreys on the cable. April 16, 2024 at 8:18 am. cap by PP. |  Rosie brings a fish to the lightpole nest. April 17, 2024. 14:48 pm. From video by VA. |