Part 2: 2021 Season - The Eggs

First egg March 24 cap by PP

First Egg Laid  March 24 at 7:12 in the evening

Rosie laid her first egg, without fanfare, on March 24 at 7:12 in the evening. (19:12). This was earlier than usual and took  viewers by surprise. But her return was earlier this year as well, so possibly it is just an early season. 
​Richie immediately took on dad duties and asked for his turn at incubation. 

Richie and Rosie on the nest the morning of March 24 cap by midi

Richmond incubating March 25 in the morning cap by Crow

Time to make another egg, Rosie. March 25 at 9:42 am.

Tired Mama Rosie the night of her first egg, March 24. Cap by midi

Richmond and egg #1 March 25 in the morning cap by lurker

Richie has brought a female friend to visit, but Rosie will have nothing of it! Or was Richie trying to chase the female away? Who can know?
Video by VA on sfbayospreys youtube channel

Bird Decoration March 26 cap by Diann a

Another osprey predilection that the humans don't understand: bringing desiccated bird carcasses to adorn the nest. Perhaps because there are no human made plush toys available  this year? Insulation? Soft pillows? we humans can only groan and guess. 

Shift change March 26 cap by lurker

Richie on guard March 26 cap by midi

Waiting for Egg #2 March 27 at 4:42 pm cap by C

Egg #2 Arrives at 6:00 pm  on March 27, right on schedule at 70 hours 48 minutes after Egg #1.

Egg # 2 under Rosie March 27 at 6:04 pm. cap by lurker

2 eggs March 27 6:21 pm cap by lurker

Rosie sleepy after laying her second egg March 27 at 7:08 pm cap by lurker

Airing the two eggs March 28 cap by midi

Rosie and two eggs March 27 cap by Dianne A

Checking up on the eggs

Rosie gets a fish break March 28 cap by midi

CK March 29 cap by J

Close-up of 2 eggs. March 30

March 30 cap by midi

Richie on Standby for egg #3 March 30 at 3:18 pm cap by midi

Egg #3 arrived March 30 at 7:29 pm. Chatters have become quite adept at identifying the signs of impending egg lay and many were watching the entire sequence. Rosie cooperated by putting herself in a position where  the viewers could see well. The interval between this third egg and the second was 73 hours and 29 minutes. 

First sight of third egg March 30 7:29:42 pm cap by lurker

Rosie right after laying her third egg March 30 at 7:29:49 pm cap by lurker

3 eggs 3 30 21 cap by Crow

Rosie is tired after laying her third egg March 30 9:03 pm cap by Crow

Now begins incubation. Both Rosie and Richie incubate. In fact, Richie is noted for demanding his time on the eggs. This year, Rosie seems to be ceding him more time and he appears more relaxed in his duties. In his fifth season on this nest, he is an experienced Dad. (There is evidence that he was at the RTYC nest a year prior to this nest, so we don't know his entire mating/nesting history). 
Richie's other duties are to guard the nest, flying to the nest anytime he sees an intruder, to bring fish to Rosie, and to bring nest items Rosie will also bring items. Unfortunately, both have begun bringing HMO's (human made objects) to the nest lately: two plastic bags, a hard red plastic thing and a rope. More information on these objects can be found in the Fish Matrix, logged along with the fish. 

2 sticks at one April 3 cap by PP

Plastic bags on the nest April 1 cap by PP

Rosie brining a rope April 1

Pink bag on nest April 1 cap by lurker

And green eggs delivered to a green nest! Oh, wait, that was on April 1st. Happy April Fool's Day!

The bag thankfully blows away. April 3 cap by PP

Fish delivery in three caps on April 5. Caps by PP and C.  And a glimpse of the eggs, cap by C

Plastic bag in the nest April 9 cap by MW

A glimpse of the eggs.April 6 cap by C

Two red plastic items, both appearing to be children's toys. A train track and the item to the left identified by craigor. 

Rosie and Richie looking at their eggs. April 6 cap by C

Move over, I want a turn. April 6 cap by PP

Rosie flies off with the fish Richie brought her. April 13 cap by J

Life continues calmly for the osprey couple. Richie brings a fish or two daily. Otherwise, he stays nearby, ready to defend the nest when necessary. He is often on the rail, especially at night. And Rosie stays on the nest, except for short breaks. Richie will nudge her off the eggs and take his turn, while she bathes, catches her own fish or takes a poo break. It is fun to watch one tap its mate lightly with curled talon to urge it to get up off the eggs.
​They have the routine down this year. There are fewer human made objects in the nest this year probably due to clean-up efforts by concerned citizens. There has been a brown plastic bag, which isn't too hazardous for the adult ospreys and two small red plastic items. Of course, Richie always has to have something red in the nest!

Both ospreys on the nest at night April 12 at 10:12 pm cap by midi

Full moon on nest April 26 cap by C

Both ospreys on the nest April 26 cap by C

Fun stick on the nest April 20 cap by PP

Late night fish April 28 cap by Dianne A

View of eggs April 21 cap by C

Beautiful headshot of Richie April 21 cap by lurker

Good Samaritans cleaned up the Sandpiper Spit area and found the following. Midi and others also found fishing line at Tepco beach. Please, if you are are fisherman's dispose properly of your fishing line and lures. They are very dangerous to birds and other wildlife. A dead osprey was found recently at Pt. Pinole dangling from fishing line and hook. Also dispose of other trash in receptacles. Six pack plastic is very dangerous and are plastic bags and other human trash. Carelessness can lead to death for our beloved wildlife! If you see trash that is dangerous, please pick it up safely (gloves) and dispose of it in a receptacle. 

Selections of especially dangerous trash found on Sandpiper Spit and Tepco beach by Yvonne and midi.

On a happier note, eggs will hatch soon! See below for craigor's handy chart of potential hatch dates.