Author Archives: Harriett Raptor

Osprey are not strictly territorial, as in other fish-eating birds. Fish are a mobile resource, hard to defend, making efficient defense of feeding sites unfeasible. Male osprey will defend their immediate nest site, sometimes reaching out as far as 0.5 … Continue reading →

The Doctor is at work trying to relieve the pain and suffering of other humans. The female Homo sapien that lives with him in his giant nest on the bank of the North River is at home. She is keeping … Continue reading →

Osprey nests are large, built of sticks, and lined with bark, grass, algae. A sundry of shore line flotsam and jetsam are frequently found incorporated into their structures: plastic bags, pieces of plastic toys, fishing line and more. Ospreys have … Continue reading →

Ospreys return from their winter grounds in late March/early April and begin to rebuild their nests. Last year Ozzie arrived March 8, 2014. This year he did not arrive until Pi day, March 14, 2015. And even more remarkable Harriet … Continue reading →

Love Birds   O & H Ospreys are monogamous. Pairs repeatedly return to the same nest site, and often remain together for many years, sometimes, for life. Older individuals and, in particular, pairs that have bred together previously, tend to … Continue reading →

“Let me show you how it’s done.” “Warning:  the last 30 seconds is rated R, for mature audiences only.” Respectfully, Harriett

Ozzie 1 mile up River Ozzie surveyed his new domain. “Fishing grounds to be expanded this year,” he thought. He planned to expand them from North River marsh, to the south bank, to 1 mile up river. He cleared the competition. … Continue reading →

Young ospreys start breeding by their 3rd year of life, but the mortality in young birds is incredibly high, with an estimated 57% of osprey chicks failing to reach breeding age. This rate decreases to 18% annually after the first … Continue reading →

Ozzie 1 mile up River Ozzie surveyed his new domain. He planned to expand his fishing grounds from North River marsh, to the south bank, to 1 mile up river. He made sure it was free of competition. Ozzie is … Continue reading →

Tuesday morning at 8:06 this haggard beauty struggled towards the platform. “Good grief, is that you Harriett,” asked the Doctor. No response from the bird. “What happened to you???!!!” The migration North has been her toughest yet. Harriett is so … Continue reading →