Nest Update: August 15, 2007 —

End of the Osprey Season

Since the ospreys have migrated to South or Central America this is the last entry for the 2007 Osprey Webcam Log. Our first Osprey Webcam season provided an extraordinary view into our local ospreys. Unfortunately, we had no hatchlings to watch mature; then leave the nest. Hopefully next season will prove active with chicks to view.

Palmetto Electric Cooperative has enjoyed bringing you our first season with the ospreys, Olivia and Ollie. We want to thank all of our webcam watchers who have tuned in this spring and summer to watch the ospreys. Also we give a special thanks to those who sent in questions and comments. All of you have made this a wonderful educational experience, and we greatly appreciate your participation.

The Osprey Webcam will continue running to give our viewers a glimpse of other birds on the tower. Until next Osprey Season!

July 5, 2007: We haven't seen Olivia and Ollie at the nest so they may have gotten an early start on their migration to South or Central America. It appears that a new osprey couple is attempting to claim ownership of the nest. This morning a new male osprey was seen moving sticks about the nest (view photos on the web cam page). Also, a new female was seen Tuesday, July 3rd.

June 25, 2007: Well our first season with our Osprey webcam didn't produce any hatchlings. Occassionally you can still spot Olivia and Ollie on the nest - most likely protecting it from other birds taking it over. The osprey pair should migrate to South or Central America in August or September.

June 4, 2007: We wanted to update our cam watchers on what is happening at the Palmetto Electric nest. It appears that our first osprey webcam season will be chickless. Though the couple continues to move spanish moss and sticks about the nest, there is no apparent egg activity. The webcam will continue to watch our resident couple on their nest so keeping checking back to view Olivia and Ollie.

May 21, 2007: Unfortunately, the first clutch of eggs was unsuccessful. We are not sure if the cause was the fluctuation of temperatures before, during, and after the nor'easter in April or perhaps the eggs were just infertile. We've noticed that the ospreys have moved back a bit on the nest and hopefully are establishing a new nesting area. Only time will tell. So keep watching and hopefully our osprey couple will produce a second clutch of eggs.

May 10, 2007: We have not seen any of the eggs since April 23rd. Usually the eggs will hatch in about four to five weeks time. The first 2 eggs, which were laid 50 and 47 days ago respectively, should have hatched by now. It is possible that the eggs are infertile or were damaged during the nor'easter in mid April. The third egg could still hatch. Also, we've noticed that both Osprey are not sitting on the nest as often as they had in the past week. Though the pair have continued mating during this time, we are hoping for another clutch of eggs if the current eggs are not successful.

May 1, 2007: We wanted to give a general update on our osprey nest. We've been seeing the occasional photo showing our couple moving sticks and the tarp around the nest. Also the ospreys have been seen eating a few fish there. For now, we're just watching and waiting for the chicks to hatch. We haven't seen the eggs uncovered since April 23rd, but feel confident that they are doing well.

April 26, 2007: At this moment, we can confirm that three eggs were laid between March 22nd - 28th. Since the eggs were laid temperatures have fluctuated between a low of 36° to a high of 92°. The Osprey will wet or shade the eggs to prevent them from overheating, which seems to be the case with our nest.

March 28, 2007: The third egg was laid at 10:03 of the morning of March 28th.

March 25, 2007: The second egg was laid sometime of the morning of March 25th.

March 22, 2007: The first egg was laid sometime of the afternoon of March 22nd.