Hi everyone !!

JudyB, Bev, Sara, TweetDreams, GailM, Darlene, and Doreen ....

Thanks for visiting and your very kind words.
Yes, these birds are a lot of fun to watch, very beautiful, interesting, and incredible fliers.
I am learning so much from watching this nest.

GailM * No, this nest is not near Lynden. It is located in the Whatcom Falls Park area in Bellingham.
Just a couple minutes flying time from Lake Whatcom.

Judy * Thanks for posting the link so that others might find this thread.
Your 'The Education of Young Ospreys' link did not work for me, but I will track it down when I have a few minutes.
I think it is fascinating that these birds learn / know how to fish and then fly a thousand miles when they are so young.

I have visited the nest area 6 times in the last 5 days. No Osprey were seen or heard in any of these visits.
I'm pretty sure that Dad and the young bird have turned South and are on their migration.
I will check a couple more times.

Here is a link to my other thread where I watch a few Eagle nests and also many other birds ... A Barred Owl family, Coopers Hawks, much more. Enjoy.

forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=12557&mode=&show=15&page=103

Thanks for the link, Doug!

Not sure why the link I posted isn't working - you shouldn't need to be a member of the forum, but who knows. I've posted it in our "random osprey nests and news" thread - hopefully this link will work - forum/viewtopic.php?topic=268190#268190

Hi Judy * That link worked. Thanks. Very interesting account of the fishing lessons.
Osprey are really cool birds !!

3-30-12

This morning, for the first time this year, I found an Osprey perched near the nest.
Unlike last year, the nest somehow survived the winter.
See the Osprey at top left. This view is from across the creek gorge.




After spending a couple hours in the park watching other birds, I made my way down to the nest, this time on the same side of the creek.
The Osprey was in a different perch, but still hanging around the nest. It is my understanding that the males usually return first.
Last year, the male at this nest was a banded bird, so I was trying to see if this bird is banded, but I was unable to get a clear view.
I waited for quite a while to see if it would fly, but it just remained perched.

3-30-12

Waiting for its mate to return from the tropical vacation.

4-4-12

In the early morning, it was very cool {heavy frost} and foggy.
One Osprey was found perched at the nest, apparently still waiting for its mate to return.



It was unmoving, so I walked down the trail to check on a Coopers Hawk nest.
It wasn't long when I heard the Osprey yelling. Overhead, through the forest canopy, I saw the Osprey chasing a mature Bald Eagle out of the area.
By the time I got back to the Osprey nest viewing spot, the bird had returned and was perched by the nest again.

4-4-12

Late in the afternoon I returned to the Osprey nest.
WooooHooo ! Both birds were there, reunited.
The female was perched near the nest and vocalizing a lot.
Hello!




The male.

4-4-12


The male made several flights around the area, returning to the nest with branches and twigs.