Greetings for perhaps the final time in 2025. It has been about a month since my last blog entry and since then Kate and Ed have left the nest for good, with their last sighting on or about Sep 8. The attached photo shows one of them - 42S yellow color band - on the nest on Sep 6. Who knows where they might be now. Hopefully south of Essex County and safe. They have an arduous journey ahead of them, one only about 40-50% of fledglings make successfully. And even fewer return as 2 year olds after spending 18 months their first time on the wintering grounds. Let's all think positive thoughts for these two. It would be so cool to spot one or both of them in 2027 with their easy to read yellow color bands!
Annie and Squam are truly amazing adult Osprey who have successfully raised 1-3 fledglings every year for a total of 16 since 2018, their first year with eggs. They check all the boxes - they are successful migrants, great nest builders, plentiful providers and fierce protectors. It will be a thrill to welcome them back in 6 months.
Around the region, it was another solid year for Osprey, with the population growing to 92 breeding pairs from 90 in 2024. 40+ volunteer citizen scientists submitted over 2000 online reports documenting the 92 breeding pairs and their 115 combined fledglings. I am drafting the 2025 summary report and will make that available via the website soon. But unquestionably another super successful season for Osprey in our region. Yay!