Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sunday drive - it was for the birds

About a month ago we spotted the beginning of an Osprey nest under construction on the top of a hydro pole in London. Last week we were disappointed to find that all but one stringy bit of twig was gone from the pole - likely blown off by a nasty storm a couple of days earlier.

Today, during another trip to London, we discovered the nest is on the way up again!  We didn't spot the bird or birds responsible but it looks like someone is planning ahead for next year's breeding season.  You can see the nest on the top left corner of the double poles in the center of the photo.

We also spotted three Red-Tailed Hawks during our drive this afternoon and I managed to take a couple of photos of one we saw on a hydro wire between Thamesford and the Embro roundabout.  Geoff turned the car around and crept up on it as quietly as possible.  I got this shot just before our friend got impatient with the interlopers and flew off.


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4 comments:

  1. Scriptor SenexJuly 30, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Might the Ospreys not be going for a late breeding this season? Or do they move on from you soon?

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    1. A ScatteringJuly 31, 2013 at 8:30 AM

      The only way Ospreys in this part of the world would have a second breeding is if they lost their first eggs early in the incubation process. Cornell University has great nest cams and the one on the "Hellgate" Osprey nest provided lots of drama this year. The mating pair in 2012 was Stanley and Iris. This year Iris showed up on time but Stanley was nowhere in sight so she mated with a new male and laid two eggs. Shortly after the second egg was laid Stanley finally showed up on the scene and promptly kicked the two eggs out of the nest! Seriously. Anyway, I guess it was early enough in the season so Iris and Stanley mated, two more eggs appeared and now the two chicks are getting close to their fledge dates. You can see the nest cam here: http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/

      Thanks for stopping by, Scriptor Senex!

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  2. Don WoodAugust 8, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    I love birds of prey, we get Ospreys in the UK But right the other side from where we are so I dont get to see them. We did get to Leeds Castle this week and saw a Falconry Display Heather managed a few shots but they were to fast to say they were birds in the pictures. I just sat there and watched the magnificent creatures. XXX Don

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    Replies
    1. A ScatteringAugust 8, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Hi Don, we drove by the nest site again this past weekend and it continues to grow in size. Hopefully we'll see nesting activity there next spring.

      Cheers, Elaine

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