Season 2020 Pt 2:Richie and Rosie

3/5/2020

Rosie's Return March 5, 2020

Rosie and Richie on nest March 5, 2020 gif by J

March 5
A different osprey was seen on the nest this morning. Chatters are in general agreement that this is Rosie. Comparisons were made to past photos (of which there are plenty) and past behavior. Richie went into a frenzy of bringing sticks and logs, mantling, attempting a CK and even scooching in the nest bowl. The female was calm, unlike Dlo. She watched quietly and let him mount her but didn't respond. They flew off at one point and there was a lot of guard call chirping, one osprey on the very top of the crane.
Note: March 5 is the date Rosie returned in 2017.

Richie mantling to just arrived Rosie, who is indifferent March 5 7:51 am cap by Midi

There was a bit of a skirmish but Rosie held her ground. Richie forsook all other females and Rosie is now Queen of the Nest.

Matriarch Rosie on March 8 cap by C

Skirmish on March 5 cap by SaMo

March 6
There seems to be general consensus now that it really is Rosie on the nest.. Everyone is ecstatic. It is amazing how one bird can make so many people happy. Rosie seems to be the main character in this osprey play, the one who returns faithfully every year, who sets up the nest, who lays the eggs...
She has settled immediately into her usual routine and spends time sitting quietly on the nest. Richie is faithfully bringing fish and nest materials. All is well on the Whirley osprey nest!

Rosie and Richie on crane March 6 cap by Midi

All is right with the Whirley crane nest! March 6 cap by Midi

Richie on nest, Rosie on crane March 6 cap by Midi

Rosie on rail March 5 gif by J

March 9 Rosie and Richie have settled into their usual routine. Richie faithfully brings fish to Rosie.If he is tardy, she is not shy about vocalizing her wants. There have been numerous CK's. One skirmish with an intruding female. And a bit of nestorating. Riche has brought quite a bit of red seaweed called Turkish Towel this year. The two spend a fair amount of time on the nest just standing and watching. A quiet, peaceful time for the most part.

Rosie Sigh March 6 gif by Robin

CK March 8 cap by Crow

One funny incident happened on March 9 , when Rosie dropped her fish from her perch on the strut. Video shows an audible thud as it hit the ground. There have been several dropped fish already. We are lucky to have a video assistant this year to document these incidents.

Rosie on her usual perch with a fish March 9 cap by Judi

Richie brings a fish March 9 cap by C

Richie brings a rope march 9 cap by craigor

Richie brings a fish March 9 cap by C

Close-up of fish

Rosie calling for her fish. March 11 cap by Midi

Warbler on nest March 12 cap by J

CK March 11 gif by J

Richie posing with a stick March 13 cap by Midi

Windy Day on the rail March 13 gif by J

March 16
Life continues calmly and as usual with Richie and Rosie. Richie brings fish to Rosie (see fish chart below chat) and requests CK's. Both bring nesting material. So far no unusual presents this year. There did appear to be a black hose in the nest.

Rosie brings a stick March 16 cap by Crow

CK ballet March 16 cap by C

Rosie stretch March 16 cap by Crow

March 16-22

The osprey couple is spending its time getting ready for nesting season in earnest. Richie regularly brings fish to Rosie. These are recorded by the Matrix Master (see the chart under the chat). He brings sticks, long ones this year, and more and more they are bringing soft material for the nest bowl. Both use their bodies to form the nest bowl, a rather delightful scene for watchers. Richie asks for CK's and they seem more and more successful. We can expect eggs in They have had more competition this year and must defend the nest from intruders, but this they do expertly and successfully. We can expect eggs in a few weeks.

Fish for Rosie March 17 cap by midi

gif by robin

fight March 17 cap by Robin

Incoming nesting material March 19 cap by craigor

CK (cloacal kiss), March 21 gif by J

Richie is ready for nesting.March 22 cap by Robin

March 23-24
This year, Rosie and Richie have had to contend with more ospreys trying to intrude on their nest. This is probably due to the increase in the general osprey population. The couple defend their nest ably, as they have shown the past two days. One new development was a fish brought on a fly-by by a stranger osprey. Chatters have never witnessed this before. The nest is ready. They have not been bringing material but have done some nestorating. Richie has not been bringing fish for some reason. Perhaps the windy weather? We don't know. They have been spending quite a bit of time off nest as well, although Rosie is often on the rail. And Richie is always ready for a CK. Egg laying time will soon be here!

The nest is ready. March 23 cap by Midi

Intruders on wing March 24 cap by J

Waiting up for Rosie March 23 cap by MIdi

Watching for intruders March 24 cap by J

Stranger with a fish March 24 cap by Ali

Flying in for a CK March 23 cap by C

Rosie and who? March 24 cap by Dianne A

March 25-30 Chatters are eagerly awaiting the arrival of eggs. There have been plenty of seemingly successful CK's. Only time will tell which is the ultimately successful one. Richie and Rosie continue to prepare. They bring in soft nesting material which they pack into the nest bowl. Both participate in this, but it is Richie who, for some reason, looks comical when he does so. Richie faithfully brings fish to his mate. Information on the fish brought can be found in the Fish Matrix below chat. Viewers are encouraged to "call fish on chat when they see a fish brought to the nest or crane. Get your name in the Matrix! Rosie spends more time on the nest and sleeps there every night. She often moves around, from nest to rail to crane cable.
One unfortunate event the other night. Rosie was sleeping on the rail when a Great Horned Owl flew at her. She ably defended herself and it left. Richie flew in to help. There have been no further incidents, but Rosie seemed especially watchful the next night, sitting awake on the cable for a long time.