I've been watching the osprey pair at Salt Point everyday this week for a few hours a time. I've seen many attempted matings and a few seemingly successful tries.
Their nest building is slow going. The male collects a few sticks every hour using the process John Greenly described so well on April 23. Most of his attempts at procuring sticks fail and when he does get one, it can be anywhere from a twig to a branch a few feet long. He is the one I see maneuvering the sticks around although I did see the female move a few. The female spends the majority of her time guarding the nest and periodically calling. For the last three days, I have seen the male bring small fish to the nest. When he does, he'll fly around the area with the fish, calling, and making a grand show of the presentation. All three fish appeared to be small sunfish spp. Both osprey fish are their own as well. On Thursday, a second male tried to mate with the female. but was rebuffed by her and chased by the male. the pair remained agitated for at least an hour afterwards and did not leave the nest. It is wonderful to watch the pair solidify their bond and work on the nest. In the time I have spent there, I have not seen them react to the various cars that drive past the platform although the male did leave when two motorcycles slowly drove by the other day. The train whistle, however, does get their attention every time it sounds. I hope the Lansing fireworks can be relocated at a far enough distance that the noise will not disturb the pair. At a minimum, they need to be moved on the other side of Salmon Creek. Candace Cornell -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
