There has been quite a lot of interesting activity on the Lobstaland nest in the last 48 hours and I believe Squam has returned.
On 4/7, after Update #5, I witnessed both the left leg banded male and the right leg banded male on the nest. At one point they were even tussling over a piece of fish. But in the morning yesterday, 4/8, an unbanded male was on the nest with Annie, and based on behavior, size and timing, I believe this is Squam (photo - Osprey on nest is Squam; on perch is Annie). Squam is also a relatively small Osprey - much smaller than Annie (males are typically smaller than females), but he is also smaller than the two banded males who are trying to usurp his place with Annie. This morning between 6-7am, (unbanded) Squam was again on the nest with Annie. My assumption is that he departed the nest after 7am to go hunt.
As I write this update now, the left leg banded male is back on the nest with Annie (photo - Osprey on right has band on left leg).
So what does all this mean? Honestly, we are all witnessing what really happens in nature every day. Birds and animals in general are opportunistic and the #1 priority is survival and procreation. Annie had multiple suitors swooping in to become her mate in Squam's absence. I believe she was noticeably disinterested in the other males, and I never saw her participate in nest building even though some new nesting materials were brought to the nest by the banded males. Typically, she helps build the nest actively with Squam as he brings in sticks and grasses and who knows what else!
It would be my best guess that things will settle down on the nest in the coming week; that Squam will begin bringing in nesting materials and we will all see the nest grow; that the two banded males will disperse elsewhere; and by late April Annie will be incubating eggs. But there really shouldn't be any assumptions in nature - we'll just have to wait and see it all unfold.