Spring at Shore Side Farm House, The Ospreys Arrive

Mr and Mrs Osprey with their offspring late in the summer

It was a long time coming...a miserable cold wicked winter. I just don't have any tolerance for cold and winter anymore. It makes me want to run, yet it keeps me prisoner with wind, cold and mobilitiy difficulties.


It seems that we just can not keep this house as warm as keeps me comfortable. Many improvements have been made, and all can be felt in the climate of our rooms, but the cold penetrates my bones and stiffens all my movements. Hate is not a strong enough word to capture my emotions on this subject. Lets just say I am welcoming spring.  Dont be surprised if you see me burning incense and setting off fireworks in celebration of Spring's arrival. Nobody is happier about it than me. The signs are slowly progressing, first the Red Wing Blackbirds, then the Robins, and then the huge raptor arrives.

 Return of the Ospreys is one of our first signs of spring. The Ospreys return...well the Mr Osprey returns, right around St. Patricks Day here...the Mrs follows about a week or so later. I'd equate it to sending your husband down to the beach to claim an oceanfront spot for the family for the day. I think that gives you the idea.  All is in order on that front.

He arrived a day early this year and was welcomed with lots of cold and rain. She arrived about a week and a half later. Of course he welcomed her with flight and togetherness. She then started the serious business as  she checked out the suitablitly of the platform he chose. Sometimes she moves around the sticks to see if the furniture arranges pleasingly. Other times she tosses some sticks out of the platform to cozy it up, and yet the third scenario I saw of this was the funniest. I actually saw the Mrs arrive in our cove. Mr was so happy to see her. They immediately flew together, they soared and dived and then landed in the nest. I think it went something like "Look, honey isn't this place great?".....She started pushing the sticks around, thows them out of the nest, and then makes it clear to Mr that this platform is NOT acceptable. She then proceed to move to another platform in the cove and there they set up their residence! Some things just happen cross species I imagine.

This is my entertainment out here in the hinterlands. Someone should give me a clipboard and pencil along with some scientific guidelines. I think I could make some contributions to the font of knowledge on these birds. The observations of their behavior are delightful and entracing.

 I don't know for sure but I suspect that the same birds do not always get the same platform every year The couple we have this year just do not behave like the ones we had last year. Its like they actually have personalities! Unfortunately, this pair is not as entertaining as those of previous years...but hey...I'm thrilled to see them. I wouldn't miss it!

Osprey in the Cedar tree watching the water below