Subject: Osprey question
Date: Mar 27 22:57:05 2003
From: Ed Schulz - eschulz at gte.net


Tim,

At Everett we have a couple dozen Osprey nests of pilings on tidal mudflats. The condition of the nests at the end of
the winter is highly variable, with some surviving with little wear and tear and others will have barely a couple
sticks remaining. The birds seem to rebuild without a second thought. They have plenty of time before the weather is
good for laying and the building activity probably is linked with all the other pair-bonding activity. Sometimes the
young Osprey are very hard on the nest as they are learning to fly late in the summer. First flight is preceded by a
couple weeks of wing exercising and finally hopping around while flapping wings energetically. At this point they are
not quite sure what to do with their talons and they often get somewhat airborne while hanging on to the nest with
their talons.

Ed Schulz
Everett, WA
***********
....

The Osprey nest that is on top of a snag on the southern side of Wenzel Slough Rd. right by the first park entrance
has been altered in size. Before the Osprey returned this year, the nest was in good condition. Now it looks like it
is almost gone. I had been wondering if it had been damaged by winds or perhaps even taken down by humans. I spotted
the Osprey on the nest snag this morning so that has me thinking maybe it is being rebuilt or moved by the Osprey
itself. Is this something Osprey's do each year? In the meantime, I will keep an eye on the nest snag and see what
happens.

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at centurytel.net