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Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018-2022

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:57 am
by IrishEyes
Welcome to the 2018 season of the Blackwater Osprey Nest .

Added March 16, 2018

Link to Cam

screenshot_08.jpg
Adding 2019

viewtopic.php?p=171710#p171710

Adding 2020
viewtopic.php?p=269751#p269751



WARNING: This camera displays a live view from a wild osprey nest at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. The cam will display raw, unfiltered nature that might include wildlife interactions and weather calamities that we cannot control. We have a no-intervention policy, as we are just observers.

USER TIP: IF THE WIND SOUND IS TOO LOUD, YOU CAN MUTE THE SPEAKER ON THE VIDEO PLAYER.

See a video of our recent camera installation at the nest!

HERE

Nest Update

2/24/18:
We recently met with a streaming video specialist who is working with us to get streaming video/audio up on the Osprey Cam nest before the ospreys return around mid March. We're keeping our fingers crossed that all the pieces will come together in time.

Nest Updates:

March 14, 2018: The Friends of Blackwater have operated a cam from this nest for 17 years and have seen over 45 eggs laid during that time. This is the first year in which we have streaming video and audio at the nest. The nest sits on a land-based pole with the nest box about 40 feet in the air. It is located along the Wildlife Drive at the Refuge. In front of the camera (the view you cannot see) is the Blackwater River, where the ospreys like to fish. The water you can see on the camera is an impoundment pond that sits beneath the nest, and Great blue herons will sometimes fish in the pond. When the ospreys migrate for the winter, other birds -- such as bald eagles, herons, and owls -- will perch on this nest, so we will leave the camera on throughout the year.



March 26..

History of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Since 2001, the Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge have been broadcasting images from an osprey platform located along the Refuge Wildlife Drive, and since 2004, the Friends have also been broadcasting images from a bald eagle nest in a local loblolly pine tree. Learn more about these two raptor species by watching the cams and exploring the resources below.

http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camcentral.html

No chicks in 2017 with thanks to Lisa .webmaster

Weather Report

Link to all seasons


Link to Facebook

Egg Incubation Period.. 35-42 days and we have seen eggs hatch later in some cases

Time Line for 2018

[*]Cam On Line... March 16

[*]Adults Return ..Two Osprey on the nest March 26.

[*]Eggs Laid ..None..

Nest Updates ..May 26 , 2018
viewtopic.php?p=53365#p53365

2019 THE Osprey didn't nest this season.

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:58 am
by IrishEyes
Stats for 2009 - 2016 with thanks to JudyB

2009
3 eggs in April all hatched,all hatched in June .. sadly 2 died . 38days and 37days old and one fledged in Aug. 59days old..Last seen Mom Aug.23, Dad and chick Sept.9.

2010
3 eggs in April, all hatched May 31,June 1and 2 and chicks all fledged successfully in late auld and early August at 54, 55 , 59days old... Last seen..Female Aug.21, 2 chicks Sept 8, Male and last chick Sept.9

2011
3 eggs, all 3 hatched ..and all 3 fledged successfully in July at 56, 58, 57 days old

2012
3 eggs and all hatched .. 2 fledged July 20 and 24 . 60 and 62 days old No apparent cause for the loss of the youngest chick; there had been bad weather when it was very young which may have left it weakened, and it is hard for the smallest one to compete for food.Mom last seen mid.august , Dad still there Sept.10, not sure about the chicks .

2013
3eggs in May , 2 chicks died in June
Starting June 8, only 1 egg was seen; weather was bad around that time, and this may be a new pair who left the nest for a while during the storm, but so far we don't know what happened to the other eggs.
Friends of Blackwater reported that the chick died; they noted that the parents appeared to be inexperienced, but also noted that the chick wasn't as active as most, so may have had an underlying health issue.

2014
3 eggs in April.... 3 hatched in June.. the third chick was weak from the start, and died after a couple of days.
Friends of Blackwater reported that the believe a predator (possibly eagle or great horned owl) took the remaining two chicks from the nest late June 23 or early June 24; the chicks were about 3 weeks old.

2015
3 eggs in April...3 hatched in June.. 2 fledged 57and 58 days
Sad news - the youngest one was doing really great - but something went terribly wrong the evening of June 12; an adult brought a fish, all three gathered - and the little one either fell partly into a hole in the nest or got stuck or may have been injured by the large fish or the landing of the adult with it - my guess is a hole in the nest, just large enough to trap an adventurous little chick. Rest in peace, little one - you were such a feisty little one!

2016
2 eggs.. 2 hatched in April.. by May 31..feeding behaviour observed ..
Cam malfunctioned April 25 and can't be repaired until the chicks fledge; an observer

ADDED by Bev/ Irish Eyes
2017 ...
No chicks in 2017 with thanks to Lisa .webmaster

2018 .. By Blackwater May 26, 2018: It's clear now that we won't have ospreys nesting this year on the cam. We have seen a male defending the nest, but he hasn't mated, and instead we've seen moments where multiple ospreys were using the nest as a temporary hangout. We hope next year will be more productive, but we will keep the cam online throughout the year as we have other birds visiting the nest, including the eagles

2019.Osprey didn't nest thud season... Bev/ Irish Eyes

2020, Osprey didn't nest this season.Bev/ Irish Eyes

2021Osprey didn't nest this season..Bev/ Irish Eyes

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:58 am
by IrishEyes
Information

Bonding. The pair are confirming their bond from last season.

Mating, you will see the female's tail up.

Possessive, you will see a quick on and off by the male, and other indications off territory disputes.


Post by Judy B re ...Osprey

Osprey information

Osprey Facts.....Rutland Osprey


The annual migration by Ospreys from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering spots and back again never ceases to amaze or raise questions. Here, Dr. Bob Kennedy answers a few

Read Here and Scroll Down

Osprey with fishDescription: Also known as the “fish hawk,” ospreys are raptors that are well adapted for fishing. They have long legs and large feet with specialized barbs on the pads, hooked talons, and a reversible outer toe that allows them to easily grasp fish with two toes pointing front and two pointing rear. They have an oily waterproof coating on their wings, and they can close their nostrils when they plunge into the water. They have slender bodies and long wings that are bent at the ‘wrist’. Their strong wings give them extra lift to fly up and out of the water with a heavy fish. They have a black bill with a sharp hook for eating fish.

Resource

Here is great article on

Bird Emotions
Do Birds Have Feelings?

BY MELISSA MAYNTZ
Updated 02/23/17


https://www.thespruce.com/examining-bir ... ons-386439

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 am
by IrishEyes
Reserved

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 10:59 am
by IrishEyes
Reserved

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:32 pm
by IrishEyes
SUNDAY , MARCH 25, 2018


Good Evening everyone .. :woohoo:


From Face book


Friends of Blackwater NWR
1 hr ·
Two ospreys spotted on the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Osprey Cam! We saw a bunch of couples arriving on the nests along the Wildlife Drive today. We'll post a video tonight.
screenshot_27.jpg

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:16 pm
by Raffs
Wow, what a change! I still remember that old nest and cam :)

Thank you IrishEyes for this thread and updates :)

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:35 pm
by IrishEyes
Raffs wrote:
Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:16 pm
Wow, what a change! I still remember that old nest and cam :)

Thank you IrishEyes for this thread and updates :)
You are welcome Raffs .. and welcome to this nest thread and isn't the new cam wonderful ...... I think it is the same nest just a new cam with a better view :) . ... hope you will watch this nest and post here also :)

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 6:55 pm
by IrishEyes
Look here and scroll down.. there is a short video and other pictures

I love the video and the chirping of the Osprey ... :love:

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 5:56 am
by IrishEyes
MONDAY , MARCH 26, 2018

Good Morning Blackwater Osprey and all.

Weather Report
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8:52am
Windy at the empty nest
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Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:08 am
by Raffs
IrishEyes :)

Not Ospreys yet... but heron!

ciuciek1805180326.jpg

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:39 am
by IrishEyes
Raffs wrote:
Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:08 am
IrishEyes :)

Not Ospreys yet... but heron!


ciuciek1805180326.jpg
Thanks Raff .. love the picture of the Heron !

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:53 am
by Raffs
Pair of osprey in disguise? :grlol;
... and heron on the backgroound again.
raffs2048180326.jpg

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:18 pm
by IrishEyes
Raffs wrote:
Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:53 am
Pair of osprey in disguise? :grlol;
... and heron on the backgroound again.

raffs2048180326.jpg

Thanks .. great catch :D

Re: Blackwater Refuge, MD Osprey cam 2018

Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:20 pm
by IrishEyes
3:18pm
I wasn't as lucky :no:
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