Off Season 2025-6

11/11/2025

Our limited view of the nest left some lingering questions this end of season. Beacon appeared to migrate, as did Rosie, then Valo disappeared. Richie has been perching on various light poles, his preferred perches now. But he often appears with another osprey with him. We can only assume this is either Valo or a fledgling from a previous year. Unfortunately, with no banding, and without close-up views, we can't be sure who it is. We only know that Richie seems comfortable with the company of this other osprey. I am inclined to think it is Valo, who disappeared for a while, perhaps exploring the area, then decided not to migrate. He was most likely a male. One key would be to look closely enough to see if it is a juvenile. That would mean only Valo or Beacon. If it is not a juvenile, it could be a returned fledgling from another year. Hopefully, some osprey experts will weigh in on this. Meanwhile, Richie can be seen daily in his usual haunts, often with a fish. He knows how to take care of himself.

Richie at night Oct. 20. 2025 at 8:44pm. cap by midi

In the off season, Richie spends his days resting or fishing then eating. He has several favorite spots, usually on a light pole, sometimes on the Red Oak Victory ship's cables.

Two ospreys on a pole with a fish. January 31, 2026 at 3?53 pm. cap by dks.

Richie with a fish on a light pole. October 18, 2025. 9:22 am. cap by Toaster 28

Richie on the Red Oak Victory ship. December 20, 2025 photo by Toaster 28.

Richmond and a Great Horned Owl. courtesy of Golden Gate Bird Alliance.

Richmond visiting nests
courtesy of Golden Gate Bird Alliance

Richie sleeping. December 12,2925 at 8:45 pm. cap by midi.

photo by chaya.

Richie with a fish. December 30, 2025 9:37 am cap by jest

Richie continued to visit different light poles to eat the fish he caught, sometimes accompanied by an interested crow or gull. In February, he began to bring sticks and and other nesting material.
the powers that be had moved last year's nest sticks to a new nest platform they had built. It is inside the fence by the parking lot but is quite short, unlike tall ight poles. Richie continues to bring sticks but for some reason, many of them are falling to the ground.

In February, Richie began bringing sticks and nesting materials to the light pole where they nested last year. That nest was taken away by the authorities and placed in the new short pole with a plastic nest bowl. Richie has landed there only once that we have seen. It appears that he prefers to rebuild anew on the light pole they have used the past two years. Many of his sticks have been falling to the ground for some reason, but a fw have stayed and there is some sign on the pole of a nest forming, on the opposite side from last year.

February 8, 2026. cap by jest

delivering a stick. Feb. 13, 2026. at 8:11 am. cap by PP

Richie bringing sticks to the Dutra crane. Feb. 14 2026. photo by chaya.

Fallen stick. Feb. 14, 2026 photo by chaya

Richie with a clump. Feb. 9, 2026 at 12:08pm. cap by dks

Richie has been spending more time lately on the ROV and the crane. Watching for Rosie?

Richie on a rainy day. Feb. 17, 2026 at 4:40 pm. photo by Toaster 28.

Stick to the light pole. Feb. 14, 2026 photo by chaya

This week, our trust photographer Toaster28 was down at the nest and caught this rainbow. Reminiscent of the rainbow that heralded Rosie's return another year, chatters hope that this means she will arrive soon.