The sounds of the Osprey papa arriving with food, mama calling out to him, and cute, whistling sound of chicks begging for food, punctuate our summer days, here at Coho. These photos were taken by Chris on July 23. The nest is probably higher than last years nest, so we have been unable to see much, other than mama on guard, or papa arriving, until recently.
All photos by Chris Chappell, a new Coho resident and owner/operator of Take Flight Birding & Nature Adventures facebook.com/takeflightbirding and Take Flight Counseling santafenaturetherapist.com. Thank you so much, Chris!
The osprey parents arrived this spring to find that their nest tree at the end of the Coho driveway had been cut way down, due to danger of falling. It still provides nesting places for smaller birds. They found a nearby tree in the cemetery next door suitable, and this nest looks more substantial than last years nest, which always seemed to be falling apart.
On the date of posting of this blog, the Lohrs witnessed a baby take flight, do a small circle, then return to the nest. They are officially fledglings! They can be seen flying around Coho talking that baby osprey talk, and sitting in their nest or a nearby tree crying to be fed.
After weeks of hearing the fledglings begging for food, as they returned to the nest or nearby trees awaiting parents with fish, on Friday September 13th we awoke to no osprey sounds. I wondered when they would make their big migration exit. Poof! They were there on Thursday, gone on Friday. This season’s fledglings appear to have made it. Last year, this observer only ever saw one fledgling return to the nest. Farewell, flighted friends. Safe journey.