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9/30/2009
Fall farewell
All is quiet atop the nest by the Wallenpaupack dam. We haven't seen any ospreys around for a few weeks, so it's likely they have started their migration to points south for the winter. Pay attention next spring, in late March or early April, when we expect to see the ospreys coming back for the summer breeding season at Lake Wallenpaupack.
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9/8/2009
Battle of the birds
During a walk at lunchtime, we witnessed some ospreys harassing some eagles (immature) in Mangan Cove. This area is close to the osprey nesting platform, so we can only assume the ospreys were defending their turf. We even saw locked talons, so they weren’t kidding! One of the eagles perched in the wooded area along the shoreline and waited out the ambush by the ospreys.
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07/13/2009
Feathered family
We've been patiently observing the osprey nest by the dam and are anxiously awaiting the day when the three chicks will try their wings for the first time. The parents are fishing in Lake Wallenpaupack and have been bringing many fish back to the nest to feed to their hungry "teenagers". This feathered family has quite a following of photographers and others just interested in watching them grow. A local osprey-enthusiast, Pete Kromayer, captured this shot that clearly shows the whole family atop the nest.
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06/08/2009
Successful Year
After almost 2 1/2 weeks, we have finally confirmed that our osprey pair have been successful this year at the lake. It is not uncommon for birds of prey such as osprey and eagles to be unsuccessful after switching nests so this is great news. Two young were observed in the nest. Rumors in the area speak of a third chick but this has not been confirmed yet. In this photo, you can see both adults and two little dark heads sticking up on the left side of the nest box.
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05/22/2009
Additions to the Family?
This afternoon, both osprey were observed sitting up high, busily bending over into the nest. This typically indicates that the eggs have hatched. It has been approximately 39 days since they were laid. It will be another week or two before little heads pop up above the nest to confirm that they have been successful in their new home this year. |
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04/29/2009
Still incubating
The female has been diligently incubating her eggs since around Easter weekend. Here is a photo of one adult perched outside the nest while the other is sitting very low inside, out of view. The eggs will hatch around 35-42 days after being laid, which means we'll be expecting to see little fluffy heads in around two weeks.
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04/15/2009
Local pair take new residence
For the first time since 1998, our local osprey pair have chosen not to nest on the Route 590 overlook platform. They have moved across the dam to a newer platform built by PPL in 2006 after the pair failed to produce hatchlings and started a nest on top of a crane on the dam. Although each year, they typically test out both before settling down, this marks the first year they will nest in this location.
The female is sitting very low in the nest. She is screaming at everyone who happens to come too close to the pole, which is a good indication that she is on eggs. Unfortunately, because of the height of the platform, good photos are not as easy to take as at the other nest. Here’s a photo that shows the very tip of her head in the nest. An additional osprey has been spotted hanging out in the area. There is no way to know whether this is just a migrant passing through or one of the prior offspring looking for good fishing grounds. Only time will tell.
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3/26/09
Welcome Home
It's official, our resident osprey pair has returned to Lake Wallenpaupack. I first spotted them last night when leaving work. One adult was perched on the dam and while taking photos of him/her, the other adult flew in and they chattered back and forth for about 10 minutes. As in the past, they will now scout around and test out both of the nesting platforms before beginning to add sticks to one of them. |
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03/04/09
Snowbirds Come Home
In two to three weeks, our local resident osprey pair will be returning to their nest in front of the hydroelectric dam at Lake Wallenpaupack. Last year, they were first spotted on March 20. If you're in the area, keep your eyes to the skies and keep watch for their return. |
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09/11/08
Snowbirds
The osprey were last seen or heard in the area on Aug. 27. It is safe to say they are now on their way down south as part of their yearly migration. Ospreys migrate to the southern states where they spend the winter basking in the sun. It was another successful year for the osprey, who produced two young. This pair has now produced 22 young to date. We should expect to see them back here at Lake Wallenpaupack around Easter weekend 2009. |
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07/21/2008
Early morning workouts
What incredible timing! I knew that the osprey young would be getting ready to take flight any day now. When I arrived at the overlook, the two young were in the nest preening, cleaning and arranging their feathers. After a few minutes, one started to perch on the edge of the nest and flap its wings, feeling the wind beneath them. All of a sudden it leapt off the nest and flew around the cove in a few circles, while the other looked on and yelled. After a few minutes of playing, the newly flying osprey landed back in the nest and the other one began to practice stretching its wings. It was simply amazing to watch.
The young osprey are noticeably lighter than the adults because of their mottled feathers. They also both have a very distinct blonde spot on the back of their heads. Keep your eyes to the skies when stopping at the overlook. You might catch them flying around!
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07/10/08
They grow up so quickly
The osprey chicks are growing like weeds. This photo shows an adult osprey on the left bringing sticks into the nest and one of the two young on the right. You can see just how large they are already! In another two weeks, the young will develop their flight feathers and will begin to practice lifting their wings to feel the wind underneath them. By late July to early August, they will take their first flight.
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06/24/2008
An exciting time
I stopped at the overlook early this morning to check on the osprey. I've been trying to catch a shot of the young but haven't had any luck. At one month old, the young ospreys are now moving around the nest and spreading their wings. You can see one of the young osprey on the left in this photo. They already have the distinct white head with black eye bands. The adults take turns watching over the young and fishing for food. I got there just in time this morning to see one of the adults fly into the nest with a fish and rip it apart. This is a very exciting time and they will continue to become more active around the nest in the coming weeks before they fledge.
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06/06/2008
What a show!
Today on my lunch break I stopped by the overlook in the hopes of catching a glimpse of a young osprey head poking above the nest. Was I in for a show! One adult was sitting on the nest, no little ones to be seen. Another adult osprey began to fly into the area clutching a fish when a third adult flew over and attacked the adult in mid-air. I can only assume that this was an attempt to steal its hard-earned meal.
The two continued to battle in mid-air for at least 15 minutes while the adult on the nest screamed endlessly with a high-pitched chirp. The entire time, the adult held onto the fish, never letting go. After circling high above and chasing each other, the adult with the fish tucked its wings tight and dove down and into the nest. Both adults in the nest continued to carefully watch the "rogue" adult circling above. The attentive adult in the nest then loosened his/her grip on the young chicks below and proceeded to rip apart the fish and feed. It was then that two very distinct dark heads popped up looking for food. What a treat!!
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05/27/2008
New additions
After returning from the Memorial Day holiday, it is apparent that the osprey eggs have almost certainly hatched. Both adults are spending a lot of time in the nest, carefully walking around and dipping their heads down low inside. Keep your eyes out for feeding time, and within a couple weeks you will be able to see some fuzzy little heads begin to poke up above the edge of the nest!
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04/30/2008
Great expectations
The female osprey has been sitting very low in the nest for almost a week now. This indicates that she has probably laid eggs. We should expect them to hatch around the last week of May. |
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04/24/2008
Gone fishin'
I had the opportunity to observe one of the adult ospreys carry a fish to the top of the dam late this afternoon and then proceed to pick it apart. The other adult has been spending an awful lot of time in the nest at the Route 590 overlook. The bird has been busy fussing with sticks in the nest, constantly rearranging them. I think she might be laying eggs soon. |
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04/17/2008
Possible power struggle
While out watching a loon on the lake this morning, I witnessed a pair of osprey flying around the dam. Just then, another pair of adult osprey came by chasing an immature eagle out of the area. It looks like there might be a power struggle over who gets to nest in the area. A pair of osprey already nests at the lake. This second pair may be the young from last year or another pair looking for a place to nest. Because they are not banded, we can't be sure. |
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04/11/2008
A good day for birding
What a great birding day at Lake Wallenpaupack! As I was watching three loons swim around in Mangan Cove, diving occasionally for some food, the ospreys were busily carrying more sticks up to the nesting platform at the Route 590 overlook. At one point in late morning, I witnessed some mating behavior, complete with flapping wings and shrill calls! Over the next few weeks, we'll be watching closely for signs that the birds are sitting on eggs. |
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04/09/2008
Building the nest
We saw an osprey flying toward the nesting platform by the Wallenpaupack Dam carrying sticks in its talons for nest-building. Two ospreys were observed on the Route 590 nest together on several occasions and have also been seen on the newer nesting platform near the Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center parking lot. This second platform was erected in the fall of 2006 after the pair began to build a nest on a crane. The platform now serves as an alternative location. |
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03/24/2008
Checking things out
Two adults were seen in the new nest. Ten minutes later, one was spotted in the old nest. They seem to be comparing nests again. |
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03/20/2008
First osprey of the season is spotted
One adult osprey was spotted flying over the dam and Route 6 at 10:30 a.m. |