As followers know, we’ve been concerned about one of “our” pair of ospreys that hasn’t returned to it’s nearby nest, a nest that we’ve been studying for five springs and summers. Another pair from another nearby nest has already hooked up and has been flying and loudly “cheep-cheep-cheeping” at each other over Great Cove recently.
For descriptive reasons (and for fun), we’ve named our pair Ozzie and Harriet. It’s Harriet who hasn’t arrived yet, based on last year’s photographs. (We could be wrong; the only way we have been able to tell the difference reliably is when the birds are together. Harriet is a little larger than Ozzie, whom we assume we’re seeing now.)
Yesterday, as you can see above, Ozzie was standing alone in his nest looking in every direction when we got within “shooting” range. He did not call; he just stared with his golden eyes. In about an hour, he flew off to the north, where one of his favorite fishing areas lies. See below.
Ospreys usually are monogamous and nest faithful, but mates do die and there is a breeding imperative. When a mate disappears, the remaining bird chooses another mate or is chosen as one. It’s then often a question of whose nest to use for breeding and raising the young.
But, we’re not giving up on Harriet just yet. Stay tuned. (Brooklin, Maine)