This osprey season is coming to and end. The hurry and flurry of mating, laying eggs, and raising chicks has given way to a quiet time together before migration. Out of three eggs, one didn't hatch and one chick died at 7 weeks, leaving one offspring to fledge and begin to start its new life. Right now, Brooks is flying adroitly, going off then returning and eating fish provided by her parents. Rosie and Richie spend less time on the nest but have been returning at night and during the day just to drop off a fish.
It has been a rather rocky ride and we hope the next month or two will be calmer, with the ospreys remaining healthy, plenty of fish caught, and successful migration later in the summer. As every year, the chatters and lurkers have learned much from the ospreys.
It has been a rather rocky ride and we hope the next month or two will be calmer, with the ospreys remaining healthy, plenty of fish caught, and successful migration later in the summer. As every year, the chatters and lurkers have learned much from the ospreys.
Week 10: July 18-24 Brooks on the nest
 Corvid hanging out on the nest in Brooks' absence. July 18, 2022. cap by lurker  Richie and Rosie on the nest at 4:30 am. July 19, 2022. cap by dinnae ken  Gull harassing Brooks. July 19, 2022. 9:43 AM cap by lurker |  Richie and Rosie just hanging out together. July 18, 2022. cap by FW  Brooks is hungry. July 19, 2022. at 8:56 am. cap by MW  Brooks screaming at intruder July 19, 2022. at 11:17 am. cap by dinnae ken |
 Gull annoying Brooks. July 19, 2022. at 12:23 pm. cap by lurker |  Brooks resting and tug. July 19, 2022. cap by FW |
Life has settled down at the nest. Brooks has mostly been staying on the nest waiting for someone to bring her fish, which she eats readily. Rosie has been supplying most of the fish with Richie bringing an occasional striper. Rosie is spending the nights on the rail. Richie spends some nights there. Brooks flies off for a short flight occasionally but returns quickly to the nest.
 Brooks taking flight from the rail. July 20, 2022. cap by lurker |  Fish for Brooks. July 20, 2022. cap by FW |
 Brooks mantling over her fish. July 20, 2022. cap by MW  On the rail with Mom. July 21, 2022. cap by FW.  Eating a goldfish at 8:51 am brought by Rosie. July 22, 2022. cap by MW  Brooks on rail. July 22, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken. |  Time for a little exercise July 21, 2022. cap by dinnae ken  Brooks at sunset. July 21, 2022. cap by lurker  Brooks and Rosie on the rail. July 22, 2022. cap by FW.  Richie returns to spend the night after being gone all day. July 22, 2022. cap by MW. |
Richie has not been spending time on the nest. He quickly dropped off a fish on July 23. Rosie has faithfully been bringing fish to Brooks, a jacksmelt and a pfm on July 24. She has a spot right by the pier where she can catch a pfm quickly. (see the Fish counting Matrix for more information).
Week 11: July 25-31 : An Interloper and an exchange
Rosie takes off and gets a pfm from by the pier in a few minutes, then delivers it to the nest. July 25 at 6:15am. video by craigor. Not long after, a juvenile visitor came to the nest. Brooks expertly defended the nest but then deferred to the visitor and left. Richie dropped off a fish, apparently without noticing the changing of chicks.
Juvenile visitor to the nest, July 25, 9:30 am. video by B.
Juvenile visitor . 9:56 am July 25
The visitor, dubbed Trudy by some chatters, stayed on the nest, chatting up a storm. Interestingly, both Rosie and Richie responded by dropping off fish. Brooks made some attempts to retake the nest but was rebuffed.
It is known that the bird is young due to the white marks on the feathers. It is assumed that she is a female due to certain behaviors, her heavier size and her speckled chest. It is also assumed that she fledged from a nearby nest recently and is now exploring.She still expects to have a fish brought to her but can eat one by herself.
It is known that the bird is young due to the white marks on the feathers. It is assumed that she is a female due to certain behaviors, her heavier size and her speckled chest. It is also assumed that she fledged from a nearby nest recently and is now exploring.She still expects to have a fish brought to her but can eat one by herself.
 Trudy gets a fish from Richie and loudly claims it as her own. July 25 at 10:08 am cap by lurker.  Trudy heads for the boom. July 25, 12:11 pm. cap by FW  A quiet moment. July 25, 3:31 pm. cap by MW |  Trudy mantling. July 25 11:41 am cap by FW  Rosie brings Trudy a goldfish. July 25 at 5:44 pm. cap by FW. Instead of rebuffing the visitor, Richie and Rosie upped their fish bringing. Below is the statement from the Fish Matrix Master at 5 pm. More fish came later. "Four for Rosie today ties her season best. Highest total for a day this year is eight, six for Richmond and two for Rosie. Would not be terribly surprising to see that exact ratio reversed today. She just needs to bring two more by nightfall. Six fish today and the last four have been eaten by some kid from down the block." |
 Trudy still squawking at night. cap by MW | At 5pm, a smelt was delivered by Richie. At 5:46, a goldfish was delivered by Rosie. Trudy flew off. Brooks flew in to claim a fish and Trudy came back to reclaim the fish. They had a struggle over the goldfish. At 7pm, Brooks was on the nest again and Trudy landed on her, still clutching the goldfish. Brooks was mantling over the herring that had been brought earlier. Trudy attacked Brooks and Brooks went into a submissive position. |
Trudy spent the night at the nest and Rosie slept on the rail nearby. In the morning, the calls for fish started. Brooks has made several attempts to retake the nest but has been rebuffed.
Trudy with a new fish. July 26, at 7:13 am. cap by J
Quiet time but still queen of the nest. July 26, 12:52 pm. Cap by MW.
To add to the confusion, at one point an adult female appeared on the nest, first alone, then with Trudy.
 Not Rosie. July 26 at 4:47 pm. cap by J. |  Trudy on nest and not Rosie on rail. July 26 at 4:47 pm. cap by J |
Richie. Rosie and visitor Trudy on the rail July 26, 2022 at 9 pm. Rosie and Richie spent the night with their new stepdaughter Trudy on the rail.Trudy later moved to the nest to sleep. By morning, all were gone off on their own ways.
The morning of July 27, Rosie delivered a pfm to the nest. Trudy immediately came rushing in to claim it, screaming all the while. She then flew off again. Brooks has not been seen on the nest but may be nearby and may be fed off the nest by her parents.
The morning of July 27, Rosie delivered a pfm to the nest. Trudy immediately came rushing in to claim it, screaming all the while. She then flew off again. Brooks has not been seen on the nest but may be nearby and may be fed off the nest by her parents.
Trudy eating pfm from Rosie. July 27, 2022. at 8:14 am
While the nest is empty, the gulls and crows take advantage and come in to clean up the fish bits.
 When the ospreys are away..... July 27, 2022. 8:12 am. cap by Dinnae ken |  Crow clean-up crew. July 27, 2022. 9:14 am. cap by MW |
Rosie and Trudy spent time on and off the nest throughout the day. There were only two fish brought to the nest, however. Brooks has not been seen but there is indication that Richie and Brooks are nearby and that she is possibly being fed off nest.
 Trudy on the nest quiet. 7 27 22. at 11:18 am. cap by MW |  Rosie and Trudy on the nest and rail. 7 27 22 8:15 pm. cap by Dinnae ken |
Two chatters Dianne A and Ali went to visit the area in person. They discovered a banded juvenile on the Wharf Street nest off Canal Blvd. This has to be Brooks. So apparently she is well and fed on another nest. They also found Richie probably on a light pole, conversing with Rosie across the air.
 Brooks on Wharf Street nest 7 27 22 photo by Dianne A Another chatter saw this same nest 2 days earlier, with an osprey, possibly Brooks. |  Richie calling to Rosie? July 27 2022. photo by Dianne A |
Osprey on Wharf Street nest. July 25,2022. photo by B
On July 28, another chatter Leah went to the area by the nest to look for Brooks. She confirmed that Brooks is staying at the Wharf Street nest, along with another juvenile, probably born on that nest. All seems to be going well. Meanwhile, Trudy is queen of her nest, being fed by Rosie and an occasional fish from Richie. Richie appears to be around the area and communicating with Rosie.
 Crows on the nest, July 28 at 9:09 am. cap by MW  Close-up of the pfm |  Rosie delivers a pfm. July 28 at 9:38 am. cap by Robin |
Early Afternoon, a quiet time of day
 Trudy quiet on the nest July 28, 2022. 12:09 pm. cap by FW. |  Richie and Rosie on the crane. July 28, 2022. 12:16 pm. cap by craigor. |
Exciting views of Brooks from the ground: all photos taken by and property of Leah. leahsteinbergphotography.com
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And a quiet night with Rosie and Trudy on the rail. There is a new order on the nest.
 Trudy on the rail. July 28, 2022 8:30 pm. cap by Dinnae ken. |  Rosie and Trudy sleeping on the rail. July 28, 2022 at 10:11 pm. cap by midi |
July 29 was the start of a new order on the nest. In the morning, the nest was empty, so the gulls and crows came to clean up. Around 8 o'clock, Rosie brought a striped bass to the nest and Trudy flew in screeching "Mine, mine." She then proceeded to eat the fish, squawking all the while. Finally Rosie flew in with a goldfish to exchange for the striper. Rosie held onto the now stiff striper while Trudy ate the softer goldfish. At one point, she flew off with it. Richie put in a quiet appearance in the morning.
A striper for Trudy. 7 29 22 7:57 am. video by B
 2 ospreys on the nest, 1 on the rail. 9:40 am. cap by PP  I'm sleepy but it's still MY fish. July 29, 2022. 10:34 am. cap by MW  Richie on the rail. July 29, 2022. a little after 9:30 am.  Rosie brings a goldfish and takes the striper. Trudy likes the goldfish. July 29, 2022. 11:45 am. cap by craigor. |  Is Rosie trying to get the striper back or cleaning up after Trudy? July 29, 2022. 10:04 am. cap by Dinnae ken  Meme by FW  Trudy eating her goldfish on the rail. July 29, 2022. 12:15 pm. cap by Dinnae ken.  Trudy takes the fish with her. July 29, 2022. 12:08 pm. cap by Dinnae ken |
All three were on the rail in the evening, At one point, Trudy flew in and sat on Richie's back! Later, Rosie was left alone on the nest while 2 birds, presumably Trudy and Richie were sitting together on the ROV cable. FW's meme says it all!
 Three birds on a rail. July 29, 2022. 8:12 pm. cap by FW Trudy landing on Richie July 29 evening. video by B |  Rosie alone on the wire at 9:30 pm. July 29, 2022. cap by MW  Meme by FW |
Order has been restored to the nest again and a pattern has been set. The nest is often empty as its residents go about their daily business. The crows and gulls come to take advantage of their absence. A fish is dropped off sometime during the day by Rosie and perhaps Richie. Trudy appears to partake of the fish. She appears to be well fed and is perhaps being fed elsewhere as well. One day she arrived with a fishtail from somewhere. Perhaps she is learning to fish for herself. The nights are spent, in different configurations, on the ROV cables or the nest rail. In contrast to previous years, when Rosie and Richie would be sleeping together either on the ROV cable or the nest rail, Rosie often sleeps alone now.
Migration time is fast approaching. The human observers never know when this actually happens as the juveniles fly around, going farther and farther away from home, then one day in August they are gone. We do usually see Rosie and Richie together one last time before she migrates, usually in September. Keep your eyes peeled for blue bands around the East Bay!
Week 12: August 1-7 It's All About Fish
Migration time is fast approaching. The human observers never know when this actually happens as the juveniles fly around, going farther and farther away from home, then one day in August they are gone. We do usually see Rosie and Richie together one last time before she migrates, usually in September. Keep your eyes peeled for blue bands around the East Bay!
Week 12: August 1-7 It's All About Fish
 Rosie brings a pfm at 15:51 pm to the nest, July 30, 2022. cap by Dianne A  Trudy sleeping on the rail. July 31. at 10:01 pm. cap by MW |  Trudy is hungry and vocal about it. August 1 at 10:5o am. cap by MW  Richie on the ROV wire. August 1, 2022. 12:06 pm. cap by FW |
A pattern has established itself. Trudy has a full crop, has appeared wet, and seems to be well fed somehow, somewhere. Richie and Rosie are bringing her fewer fish. The three spend their time apart or sometimes together, but seem to always be in the area, on a light pole, on the ROV, on the nest rail, or fishing somewhere.
Chatters too have quieted down and are showing up less. They seem to have accepted the state of affairs, now that Brooks has been located. The osprey season is winding down.
Craigor, the Fish Matrix Master, made a wise statement recently:
Somebody has probably mentioned this, but all these intruders, plus our faux-Rosie and faux-Richie (remember?) visitors this year, and chicks swapping nests... is probably all a sign of a healthy and growing local community of O's. There's just more O's around than there were a few years ago so they run across each other more often and have to change their behavior accordingly.
And I even seem to recall reading that O's will act territorial and defensive up to a certain population density, but when they get really numerous (as on Cape Cod back east) they shift to more of a colony-type behavior with more comfortable and flexible sharing of territory. And I suspect we're seeing evidence of reaching that density.
I did note from Tony\'s remarks that it is now the Richmond shoreline and not Mare Island that is the epicenter of Bay Osprey life.
August 3
Just when life on the nest seemed to be calming down, Trudy surprised everyone by bringing a fish to the nest. And not just any fish, but a shark! And it appears she may have caught it herself. She brought it quietly, not screaming as she does when offered a fish by Rosie. She ate it to the last bite. It is thought that she caught it herself by Brooks Island. See video on Youtube.
Chatters too have quieted down and are showing up less. They seem to have accepted the state of affairs, now that Brooks has been located. The osprey season is winding down.
Craigor, the Fish Matrix Master, made a wise statement recently:
Somebody has probably mentioned this, but all these intruders, plus our faux-Rosie and faux-Richie (remember?) visitors this year, and chicks swapping nests... is probably all a sign of a healthy and growing local community of O's. There's just more O's around than there were a few years ago so they run across each other more often and have to change their behavior accordingly.
And I even seem to recall reading that O's will act territorial and defensive up to a certain population density, but when they get really numerous (as on Cape Cod back east) they shift to more of a colony-type behavior with more comfortable and flexible sharing of territory. And I suspect we're seeing evidence of reaching that density.
I did note from Tony\'s remarks that it is now the Richmond shoreline and not Mare Island that is the epicenter of Bay Osprey life.
August 3
Just when life on the nest seemed to be calming down, Trudy surprised everyone by bringing a fish to the nest. And not just any fish, but a shark! And it appears she may have caught it herself. She brought it quietly, not screaming as she does when offered a fish by Rosie. She ate it to the last bite. It is thought that she caught it herself by Brooks Island. See video on Youtube.
 Trudy's shark. August 2, 2022 9:12 am. cap by craigor | Trudy's shark. August 2, 2022. video by VA |
Then on August 3, Rosie flew in with a big striper for Trudy. As she was eating it, however, it became clear that there was fishline and a hook attached. Chatters watched with bated breath, but Trudy skillfully ate around the hook and line, and it fell to the ground, to everyone's relief. All that practice with eating around a fish spine had paid off.
Fish Matrix master craigor said: "Sensible. Just had to eat around the hook until it pulled loose, then there was nothing holding the line to the fish anymore. So, lift it off the nest, give it a good shake, presto!"
Birdbrain remarked: "It's funny how what we had deemed 'bad table manners' (spitting out the skin, leaving the spine hanging on a wire) turned out to be what saved the day."
Many chatters changed their opinion of Trudy that day, no longer a spoiled screecher but, as more than one said, a Warrior Princess.
Fish Matrix master craigor said: "Sensible. Just had to eat around the hook until it pulled loose, then there was nothing holding the line to the fish anymore. So, lift it off the nest, give it a good shake, presto!"
Birdbrain remarked: "It's funny how what we had deemed 'bad table manners' (spitting out the skin, leaving the spine hanging on a wire) turned out to be what saved the day."
Many chatters changed their opinion of Trudy that day, no longer a spoiled screecher but, as more than one said, a Warrior Princess.
 Rosie with a large striper. August 3, 2022. 1 pm.  Striper with fishline and hook, August 3, 2022. 3:36 pm. cap by MW |  Taking the fish to a light pole to eat. August 3, 2022.  Rosie and Trudy sharing the fish gut. 8:11 pm. cap by Dinnae ken.  Fishline and hook on striper. August 3, 2022. 2:47 pm. cap by Honored Guest |
I'm tired. This is a big fish! But it is my fish. August 3, 2022. 7:22 pm. cap by jest
August 4: The drama continues. Today Trudy and Brooks appeared at the same time on the nest and a tussle ensued. It was rather fierce but nobody appears to have been harmed. By evening, Brooks was gone and Trudy was on the rail alone for the night.
In others news, word came back that both Brooks and Molate, who were given a DNA test while being banded, are male. Trudy did not receive a test so we can only go by appearance at this point. Most seem to think she is female.
In others news, word came back that both Brooks and Molate, who were given a DNA test while being banded, are male. Trudy did not receive a test so we can only go by appearance at this point. Most seem to think she is female.
 Skirmish between Trudy and Brooks. August 4, 18:05 pm. cap by FW  Skirmish between Trudy and Brooks. August 4, 2022. 18:04 pm. cap by B | Above: Skirmish. around 6pm. video from VA Below: Interloper arrives and leaves, then Rosie comes in with a fish. 6:25 pm. August 4.  And Trudy slept alone in the night. August 4, 2022. 22:15 pm. cap by MW |
Life goes on mostly off the nest now. Trudy shows up now and then to call for a fish. Rosie comes by with a fish and drops one off for Trudy or if she is not there, flies on to eat it herself. Richie has perhaps visited the nest once that we know, calling against intruders. Rosie can sometimes be seen on the crane up high. We see ospreys sitting on the ROV wires, where Rosie and Richie usually sit off season, usually just one now. Where is Richie and how is he doing with his hurt talon? Trudy remains the Queen of the Nest when she chooses to appear. The season is definitely drawing to a close. If you visit the area, watch for blue bands, check the nest and the surrounding areas and get on chat to tell us if you see any ospreys.
 Rosie brings a pfm to an empty nest. August 5 at 12:29 pm. cap by craigor  Rosie on the crane. August 5. at 2:52 pm |  A quiet moment alone for Trudy. August 5 at 4:41 pm. cap by midi  Trudy alone at night. August 5, 2022. at 9:13 pm. cap by MW |
 Trudy sleeping. August 6, 2022 at 19:53 pm. gif by Robin  Rosie on the crane. August 9, 2022. cap by Dianne A. |  Trudy and sailboats. August 6, 2022. 15:15 pm. cap by FW  Richie on the crane. August 9, 2022. cap taken from VA video. |
Week 13: August 8-14
August 10: Richie and Rosie seem to be keeping close to the nest, often perched on the crane where they can watch. Richie will fly in to chase off an inquisitive intruder. Trudy has flown the nest and hasn't been seen in several days. An osprey has been seen on the Wharf Street nest but a band wasn't sighted, so we can't know if it is Brooks or not. We assume the fledglings are exploring the area and getting ready for their migration.
 Empty moonlit nest. August 11, 2022. cap by FW Osprey with fish August 13, 2022. video by VA |  Richie on the ROV ship. photo by Chaya. August 12, 2022 copyright to Chaya.  Rosie on rail, Richie on nest. August 13, 2022. cap by C |
 Rosie on the rail. August 13, 2022 cap by MW |  Rosie at night on the rail. August 14, 2022. cap by MW |
Rosie with a fish. August 13, 2022. 8:39 am. video by J
 Richie on the nest. August 14, 2022. cap by C |  Richie moving sticks. August 15, 2022. cap by PP |
Week 14-16 August 15-31 Richie and Rosie
The two juveniles, Trudy and Brooks, have not been seen to identify in a while. Observers from the ground have seen an osprey on the Wharf Street nest, where Brooks took up residence, but they have not seen a band. An occasional osprey flies to the nest for a moment, but they are unknown to us. Rosie and Richie have taken to spending the night together as in the past. They can usually be seen from the ATN cam roosting on the ROV wires. Rosie spends much of the day on the nest rail. Richie puts in an appearance occasionally. Both have been seen eating fish, usually on a lightpole. The crows and ravens come to the nest occasionally to clean up tasty tidbits buried amid the sticks. They are tolerated for a while then sometimes Richie or Rosie will chase them off.
The two juveniles, Trudy and Brooks, have not been seen to identify in a while. Observers from the ground have seen an osprey on the Wharf Street nest, where Brooks took up residence, but they have not seen a band. An occasional osprey flies to the nest for a moment, but they are unknown to us. Rosie and Richie have taken to spending the night together as in the past. They can usually be seen from the ATN cam roosting on the ROV wires. Rosie spends much of the day on the nest rail. Richie puts in an appearance occasionally. Both have been seen eating fish, usually on a lightpole. The crows and ravens come to the nest occasionally to clean up tasty tidbits buried amid the sticks. They are tolerated for a while then sometimes Richie or Rosie will chase them off.
 Richie on the nest. August 16, 2022. gif by Robin |  Richie and Rosie on the rail, night of August 16. Cap by PP. |
 Raccoon below. August 16, 2022. Cap by CdA. For a video go to ggas youtube channel.  Rosie on nest alone night of August 23, 2022 cap by MW  Richie on the nest Augustt 22, 2022. cap by CdA  Richie on the nest August 28, 2022 cap by PP |  Rosie and Richie on the nest together. August 22, 2022. cap by CdA  Rosie on the nest alone. August 23, 2022. cap by MW  Rosie defending the nest August 26, 2022 cap by J.  Rosie on the rail. August 28 2022. cap by J |
Interloper to the nest. August 23, 2022. video by VA
 Osprey, possibly Rosie, on ROV wire in early morning of August 29, 2022. cap by MW  Osprey on a lightpole, Rosie? August 31, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken |  Osprey eating on light pole photo from the ground by Toaster 28. August 2022 |
Who is on the wire? August 31, 2022. Video by VA
One is a lonely number. Richie alone on the wire? September 2, 2022. cap by Judi
Ir is presumed that Rosie left on her migration at the end of August, the earliest she has ever left. The last photo of her on the nest is August 28. An osprey is observed almost every night on the ROV wires. We assume that is Richie. We have also seen him on the crane.
| September. Richie alone?  Osprey on the ROV September 6, 2022. cap by Dinnae ken. |  Richie on the crane. September 4, 2022. gif by Robin |
"Pretty Sure that's Richmond". September 6, 2022. cap by FW
 Plenty of Activity around the nest still. September 6, 2022 |  The empty nest. September 3, 2022 cap by MW |
Farewell to Rosie and Brooks and Trudy the intruder. May the winds in your wings be fair and you arrive safely in your Winter home. Perhaps one day, we will learn where you spend the winter. We await Rosie's return in the Spring and hope to see Brook's XA band in a few years.
And to Richie: we will be watching for you over the Winter. Please visit the nest occasionally. We hope your talon heals or that you at least adjust to it, so you can fish successfully.
And to Richie: we will be watching for you over the Winter. Please visit the nest occasionally. We hope your talon heals or that you at least adjust to it, so you can fish successfully.
 Zoid on the empty nest. September 16, 2022. cap by PP |  Richie on the wire. September 17, 2022. cap by Robin |
We think it is Richie who sleeps on the ROV wires each night, often leaving very early in the morning. Nobody has sighted him elsewhere in the day, so we don't know where he is hanging out. On the sand spit as he did in the past? Or at Meeker Slough, where late chatter SailMonkey often saw him fishing. Or perhaps at the San Pablo Reservoir, taking advantage of the trout that were planted there?
Probably Richie on the wire. September 19, 2022. cap by MW