Blog #265 WHO IS WATCHING WHO?

Who is watching who? Courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

Osprey lives play out in plain sight for all to watch. Rather than hide their nest from  danger, they settle in wide open spaces with complete views of their  

Salt Point Natural Area osprey nest, courtesy of Cassandra Rooney-Monger.

surroundings, away from trees where Great Horned Owls lurk, and far off the ground away from climbing predators like raccoons. Males strut their reproductive fitness for their mates by dancing and squawking noisily in the sky hundreds of feet above their nests, announcing each delivered stick or fish. 

Male displaying his catch, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

Ospreys are not shy either. These exhibitionists mate in the open atop their nests throughout March and April, and they do so frequently — up to several hundred times— to produce two to four fertilized eggs. Pairs are as open about their sex lives 

Mating, courtesy of Andy Morffew.

as they are with all facets of their lives and do not hide their awkward moments. When first courting Ophelia, a young virginal Orpheus had trouble learning to mount his new mate. His first attempts were humorous, approaching her from various side angles or head on, in impossible Kama Sutra-like positions. 

The Osprey nest is a source of constant entertainment throughout the season, even during the more sedate 5-week incubation period in April and May before the buns come out of the ovens (if I may personify a bit). During this time, the bulk of the action happens at the changing of the guard, when the pair switch places incubating the eggs.  When Orpheus brings fish, Ophelia will readily leave the nest to eat; Orpheus will take her place on the eggs. However, Orpheus seems particularly determined to incubate, at times pushing Ophelia out of the way. Men! 

Nestling looking at the action below, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

The sights and sounds of the nest grow along with the chicks. From pint-sized on, the nestlings cry out when hungry. Fortunately, they seem to know instinctively to defecate over the side of the nest. 

Things get even more interesting once the young are big enough to peer over the nest rim. The young, along with Mom, must beg for food from Dad. Meal times brings the nest alive. Sleeping chicks turn frenzied the moment their father arrives with a fish.  Nestlings wait their turn as the mother tears the writhing fish into bite-sized morsels and gently places them in the gaping mouths of her young. Mom gets the leftovers.

Mother feeding fish morsel to orange-eyed offspring, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

Mother feeding a fish morsel offspring, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

The clumsy youngsters are particularly amusing when learning to coordinate their wings and feet to lift off the nest—“helicopter”—in preparation for flight. After days of flight 

flapping relentlessly in the crowded nest, they finally lift off with help from a fortuitous wind. Nest watchers gasp as they witness a fledgling’s maiden flight.  

Nestling “helicoptering” in the nest next to father, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

Waiting for breeze to carry it away, courtesy of Andy Morffew.

Voyeurism is a two-way street and people-watching comes naturally to these feathered peeping Toms. Ospreys are supremely curious, setting up house where they can pursue their favorite pastime—people watching. 

Osprey pair people-watching people at Salt Point, courtesy of Karel and Cindy Sedlacek. 

While a bald eagle keeps its distance from people and builds out-of-the-way nests Female people watching at Stewart Park, courtesy Karel and Cindy Sedlacek. 

in tree tops, the osprey is known for selecting man-made platforms and electric power poles in urban areas where they can observe people visually unobstructed.

One pair of these nosey fish-hawks nesting in Ithaca’s Stewart Park has a 360-degree view of the busy park and lakeshore promenade benches. The pair nesting in the  Treman Marina can keep tabs on people and dogs in the meadow as well as the  

Nestlings watching the comings and goings below, courtesy Andy Morffew. 

comings and goings of boats in the harbor. The Union Fields Osprey, nesting on top of the centerfield lights, are entertained by little league games in the summer, while  Cornell’s McGowen Field Osprey prefer collegiate soccer. The Union Field pair are especially popular with the young ball players who take time out to watch fish deliveries to the nest. I’ve seen the birds looking down on the field watching intently as the kids play. Little do the ball players know how much they are on the Osprey’s radar. 

While Ospreys are cordial neighbors, they demand a social distance, crying out if humans venture too close to their nests. Usually a 100–200 foot buffer is sufficient; however, Lansing’s Salt Point Osprey are famous for their acceptance of people walking on the trail less than fifty feet from their platform. Their penthouse perch overlooks  Cayuga Lake, the Salt Point Natural Area, bustling Myers Park, and even the lakeshore  railroad train. The award for the most human-tolerant pair on Cayuga, however, goes to

Osprey platform in middle of busy parking lot in Long Island. C.E. Cornell. 

the pair in Union Spring’s Frontenac Harbor. This nest, situated atop a utility pole and  riser at the entrance to a bustling marina, has a well-used dumpster at its base and is  the scene of constant noisy human activity. 

Ospreys seem to enjoy golf courses, such as the pairs at the Seneca Golf Club and  Ithaca’s public Newman course. Busy roadways are a choice perch from which to  observe cars and trucks, despite risk of fatal collisions. Cell towers offer Ospreys a  catbird seat from which to watch the comings and goings. As long as the nests don’t  interfere with the company's equipment, the nests are left in place. At farms, nests on  retired grain elevators offer the birds views of the busy farm yard where there is action  from dawn to dusk.  

Ospreys, however, are not welcome near airports. When a breeding pair nested proximate to the runway at the Tompkins County Airport, it had to be removed and the  birds discouraged from nesting there. Luckily, they are safely thriving on a nest platform built to entire them out of harm’s way.

Juvenile Osprey, courtesy of Andy Morffew. 

A word on Anthropomorphism and Personification: 

Anthropomorphisms, making animals behave or appear like human beings, is a dirty  word to animal behaviorists and to be avoided. However, in this blog, I use the tool of  personification, the act of giving human characteristics to animals, to create imagery. 

Eyes to the sky! 

Candace 

Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point 

Lansing, NY 

cec22@cornell.edu 

Guest Photographer:  

Andy Morffew is a seasoned traveler and nature photographer who splits his time  between Hampshire in England and the Gulf coast of Florida. His main interest is birdlife 

but photographs many other subjects as well. “Spending so much time in the natural  environment, I am acutely aware how we are damaging the ecosphere. Anything I can  do to help protect nature and wildlife is a small price to pay for the enjoyment I get from  them.” Andy’s amazing photos have appeared in On Osprey Time since its first season. Contact Andy at https://www.andymorffew.com. 

  

  

Read!  

On Osprey Time (blog) 

Ospreys of Salt Point 

Explore! 

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail 

  

Watch!  

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam