Flow was on a mission for the first week of his northward migration, as he left Cuba and made it up to Virginia in just over a week. Now he seems to be enjoying Virginia, specifially an agricultural area south of Richmond and east of the Chesapeake Bay entrance. he has been in this area for about a week and is frequenting a small pond that must be full of easily catchable fish. I suspect he is refueling and will eventually resume his northward migration. This type of behavior is not unusual for an osprey's first migration north - everything is a new experience and he is trying to figure it out as he goes. And he is in no rush because he won't nest this year, that is clear. But he should end up is some suitable breeding area - hopefully in our region - where he will explore around in preparation for future nesting.
Flow does have a lot of fans, including one antique shop in essex that has placed large letters in their store front windows that spell "FLOW HOME". We applaud the spirit and enthusiasm. And we all hope he does make it home to essex eventually.
ACTIVE NEST COUNT
Thanks to our dedicated citizen scientists, who are making observations by foot, boat, car and even bedroom windows, we have recieved over 500 online reports on nesting activity. As of today, there are 36 occupied nests and probably another 4-6 pairs still floating arund trying to establish themselves on a nest. there is still time for a pair to lay eggs but not alot, maybe 2-3 weeks. Most pairs are already incubating eggs. So these late pairs are the younger, less experienced Osprey that are trying to figure out nesting for the first time. The result is a lot of unpredictable behavior, as they check out multiple nest sites, even at times those of active pairs. This is what is happening when reports come in about 3-4 osprey at one nest. Its likely an established pair fending of young intruders.
No question in my mind we are observing another increase in nesting pairs in 2016. Exciting!
WEBCAM
No much to report unfortunately. The camera is back streaming live after some technical difficulties. Osprey are occassionally visiting, mostly just to perch but some adjustments to nesting materials have occurred as well. It's not too late for a pair to take up residence but if one does, it would probably be just a house-keeping pair looking to establish the nest as theirs for next year.
No sign of Ethel either but I assume and hope she is nesting somewhere near by and doing well. And probably wondering when he son Flow is ever going to come home to visit his mother!!