Yesterday for the first time we had Osprey at the nesting
platform at the Audubon Nature Reserve. The platform is located next to the
parking lot and was donated and erected by Salem Electric at the suggestion of
Lee Slattum. Naysayers, myself included,
questioned its feasibility; too close to busy Eola Drive, too close to the
parking lot, too far from the river. But
yesterday, Lee and Salem Electric were vindicated with an amazing amount of
activity at the platform. In the course of my morning volunteer time I watched
and took almost fifty photos trying to capture the experience. The following photos hopefully tell a story
that based on my research seems to be quite plausible. The first photo shows a
female descending to the nest site.
Female Osprey can be recognized by the line of dark feathers
at the neck line resembling a “necklace”.
This is a male, void of the “necklace”. (All photos can be enlarged by clicking)
What we first assumed were a pair of Osprey became three
Osprey, and my best guess is that this is one of the two males bringing a “gift”
to the female in hopes of winning her approval.
This I believe to be the second male bringing a different “gift”
in hopes of winning the contest. I think these are gifts because they are not
the large sticks used in the construction of the nest.
This could be the happy couple. Osprey migrate to Oregon mid-March from as far
away as South America. They are monogamous, pairing up for the summer to breed
and raise their young.
Reference: Birds of Oregon by Burrows & Gilligan / The Birders Handbook by Ehrlich, Dobkin & Wheye / The Birds of Bidwell Park by Lederer & Burr
As per your usual...fantastic pictures set off by the great story-telling. Keep 'em coming, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Larry, your comments always charge me up for more. Hope your hand is healing.
DeleteSpectacular! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete