Attention: due to the lack of visibility on the live stream, we are currently defaulting to a playlist of old videos and highlights. You can still go to the live view by clicking the button below.

☰ Hide Videos

OspreyZone Live Stream
•LIVE

OspreyZone Playlist

An Intro to OspreyZone

The Story of DDT

Osprey Rescue

2020 Clips

Bald Eagles Visit Nest

Ospreyzone Highlights: May 21-29, 2020

OspreyZone Highlights: May 15-20, 2020 - The Intruder

OspreyZone Highlights: May 7th-14th, 2020

OspreyZone Highlights: April 15-21, 2020

OspreyZone Yankee

March 18, 2016 Timelapse

The Summer of 2015 by GinaM

Osprey Rescue Extended - July 30, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 28, 2015

Osprey Zone Highlights - June 19, 2015

osprey 07/11/15 squirt

First Sighting

George and Gracie's First Baby

Eggs Over Easy

Changing of the Guard

Breakfast is Served

Upgrading

Feeding Time

First Love

Let's Hang Out

Hard to Get

Little Brother

Intruder

Dinner is Served

OspreyZone Montage

OspreyZone Highlights: George Returns

Tip:  If the nest is empty, use the red scroll bar to rewind the stream up to 12 hours

Please be advised that nature can be brutal – viewer discretion is advised.
Best viewed with Google Chrome.

Ospreyzone.com copyright © 2016 – 2020 Tax Reduction Services. All rights reserved.


Special Thanks to Tommy and Christina: George & Gracie’s Landlords

ospreyzone store

Belle’s Journey

Written by Dr. Rob Bierregaard & Illustrated by Kate Garchinsky

Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha’s Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back–a journey of more than 8,000 miles.

Click HERE for more information!

IMPORTANT: Messages from osprey experts

Rob Bierregaard July 1, 2015 at 7:24 am
I haven’t seen the little guy yet this morning, but I would be very surprised if he survived the night. That sure was tough to watch yesterday, but that whole process is as much a part of the essence of being an Osprey as is eating a fish. It’s part of the life of Ospreys that was rarely seen before we started putting cameras in nests. As hard as it is, we should not label the behavior as mean or cruel. Being mean or cruel implies that there is intent to do harm just for harm’s sake. Those young were responding to a set of stimuli (very little food being delivered to the nest and the presence of a very small young) in a way that evolution has hard-wired into them. It helps ensure their survival. Nature is not cruel. It is harsh, unforgiving, and often random (had the little guy been born 1st, he would have been just as aggressive as was his sibling), but not cruel or mean.

4818eecc88292926c58414a82c884c71Paul Henry ospreyzone July 1, 2015 at 8:17 am
Thanks Rob for bringing your knowledge and experience to help us all gain perspective here. We are all saddened by the events that unfolded before our eyes and it’s only natural for all of us to feel and express our emotions appropriately. There have been many issues pertaining to intervention which have been discussed amongst us all. There is no doubt in my mind that the right decision was made, to let nature take it’s course. By the way, that doesn’t equate to heartless, on the contrary, nobody feels worse about this then the apparent decision makers. I say apparent, because when all was said and done, and all the issues were properly weighed, there really weren’t any other options. It was clearly pointed out, by experts, that intervening at this stage could have spooked the whole nest to the point of losing all the young. If the little one was saved, and nursed back to health, what kind of a life would it have had, perhaps caged up in a zoo. I remember when I was younger I saw a golden eagle in captivity, caged behind a wire mesh. I could practically see it’s tears. As far as placing the little one in another nest, such a low probability of success would never have justified the possibility of spooking the nest. There’s a piece of me, however heavy hearted, that believes that perhaps it is better to be born free and die free. We mourn for the little one as we marvel at the wonders of nature.

Reprinted with the permission of John W. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Hello Paul,

Thanks for your query, and you have my admiration for persevering. We know very well how tough your job is, including dealing with an anxious public.

Our policy with our Bird Cams project is essentially “just say no” to pleas for interference. The behavior you are witnessing – while seemingly cruel and heartless to us – is natural for many kinds of birds, especially those that feed on variable, unpredictable food supplies. The little nestling does have a chance to survive, but if it does not then that result was “meant to be” by the nature of Osprey breeding strategy. The wonderful things about these nest cameras also sometimes yield the difficult things for us to watch. As you might know, we actually post a “siblicide alert” on some of our cams where we suspect the possibility exists.

I’m copying your note to Charles Eldermire, project leader for our Bird Cams. He may have some additional comments, and he would be the one to ask if we might be able to use your stored files for biological analysis.

Best wishes, and good luck,

John W. Fitzpatrick

Director, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

In addition, Charles Eldermire, Bird Cams Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Writes:

It’s also important to acknowledge that intervening can also cause problems of its own—depending on the ages of the birds in the nest, disturbing them can trigger an early fledge. We have restricted the scenarios in which we would even consider intervening to injuries or dangers that are explicitly human-derived. For example, 3 or 4 years ago we were alerted by viewers that one of the osprey chicks at the Hellgate Osprey nest was entangled in monofilament line. We consulted with our partners there (wildlife biologists, raptor researchers, raptor rehabbers) to determine if the monofilament was an issue, and if intervening was both likely to solve the issue AND not have bad effects on the other nestlings. In the end, a quick trip to the nest was scheduled via a bucket truck, the monofilament was removed, and the nestlings all eventually fledged. In that case, all of the permits were already in hand to be studying the ospreys, and we had already discussed how to approach issues in the nest.

Good luck to the young one—hope it all turns out well.

charles.

*******************
Charles Eldermire
Bird Cams Project Leader
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Paul,

I’ve been to your site—great cam! And I noticed the runt in the nest. This is just normal Osprey reproduction. It happens all the time and you should not intervene. It’s tough to watch, but it’s how nature works. Ospreys almost always lay 3 eggs and on average fledge between 1 and 1.5 young each year. They stagger the hatch so there is a spread of ages in the young. That way, if food is short, the first-hatched (and therefore largest) will get enough food to survive while the smaller nest mates do not. If all three young were the same size and there was only enough food for 1 young, none of the young would get enough food and they would all die. If there’s lots of food, the smallest will eventually get fed and can survive. These nest cams can show some gut-wrenching scenes. The most infamous perhaps was one of the very first Osprey cams (on Long Island somewhere), where the smallest young died. One of the adults carried it out of the nest and after several minutes flew back into the nest and fed it to the other young. Waste-not-want-not at its goriest. At Hog Island up in Maine just last week a Bald Eagle came in and took the young out of the nest. Last year at another nest, cameras documented a Great-horned Owl taking young Ospreys out of a nest in NJ or MD. All of these things have been going on for millions of years and Ospreys are doing fine.

Rob Bierregaard
Academy of Natural Sciences
Drexel University
http://www.ospreytrax.com

“Interesting. They don’t often take over osprey poles—probably too small for them. They will coopt tree nests, which they can expand. We had a pair of eagles do this on the Vineyard. They built up the Osprey nest a lot and then the Ospreys came home and drove the eagles away, in a David v. Goliath story. The Ospreys successfully bred. They looked tiny in the nest, which sadly blew down this winter.”

    Leave A Comment

    52,585 Comments

    1. gracey March 25, 2016 at 5:46 pm - Reply

      He’s back… it’s so exciting…..he’s waiting for Gracie….the love of his short life….

    2. JP(K) March 25, 2016 at 5:35 pm - Reply

      Osprey on the nest box!

      • JP(K) March 25, 2016 at 5:38 pm - Reply

        It looks like a newbie.. not George or Gracie….

    3. helen March 25, 2016 at 5:31 pm - Reply

      One is finally back – cannot see the face clearly so am not sure which one but this one definitely looks like one of ours. That is good – one more and then we are a family again.

    4. Leanne March 25, 2016 at 5:29 pm - Reply

      Same bird from this morning just landed on nest. Has the black spot under the wing like Gracie did but I think this spot is larger and down closer to the leg.

    5. Jack C. March 25, 2016 at 4:41 pm - Reply

      The osprey nest at the corner of West Neck Road & Westmoreland Drive on Shelter Island is now occupied. Saw only one bird circling the area earlier this morning ans sitting atop the nest at noon. More will be following. A good sign.

    6. Leanne March 25, 2016 at 3:20 pm - Reply

      I checked in on the nest this morning around 8:30 and scrolled back a few hours. Osprey was sitting on side of platform for a few minutes and then flew off. I dont think it was one of the G’s but still a welcome sight.

    7. Rjoneal March 25, 2016 at 3:07 pm - Reply

      Osprey at the nest stayed a short time it was sometime in the morning

    8. GinaM March 25, 2016 at 8:57 am - Reply

      Osprey at 7:20 ish…. looks like a juvie male. While he is sitting on the perch, you can see another osprey in the distance fly by and dive for a fish.
      Great way to start the day!

    9. GinaM March 24, 2016 at 8:57 pm - Reply

      For those of us who follow OspreyTrax, the Martha’s Vineyard ospreys seem to take a break at our nest on their way home. So far, all of the transmitter birds are having safe travels home. This includes new birds who have never made the trip before. This bodes well for George and Gracie. We would certainly recognize an OspreyTrax bird since they are tagged and wear high-tech transmitters if they landed on the nest. Maybe that was George yesterday- or maybe it was a New England Osprey.

      Last year, on the north shore of the eastern portion of Nassau County, all of our Ospreys came home on March 25th. That is tomorrow. Hopefully, I will be able to post a positive update! One nesting pair has been returning to the same spot for the past 5 years.

      Talons crossed!!

    10. gracey March 24, 2016 at 1:54 pm - Reply

      it’s very windy today…..remember that George liked to sit atop the camera perch….he might be up there waiting for his wife….

      • jon Powers March 24, 2016 at 6:00 pm - Reply

        That’s not likely, he would of been bring stick to the nest by now and getting it ready.

        • jon Powers March 24, 2016 at 6:00 pm - Reply

          sticks

      • Tucker March 25, 2016 at 10:33 am - Reply

        Saw someone on the platform this morning. I think he was waiting for the 7:45 to Ronkonkoma.

      • Pudgy March 25, 2016 at 11:07 am - Reply

        I seen the Osprey in the nest this morning ,I got so excited I can not wait to watch them again this year!!!!

      • Susan March 26, 2016 at 6:26 pm - Reply

        Ospreys definitely back in Orient this evening. Saw five and at least one in a nest. Nest are leftover from prior years.

    11. helen March 24, 2016 at 8:13 am - Reply

      Second Osprey back at Chesapeake Conservancy nest,

    12. helen March 24, 2016 at 6:51 am - Reply

      Both Ospreys are back in the nest next door to me.

      • GinaM March 24, 2016 at 8:57 pm - Reply

        WOW! Lucky you!! 🙂

      • Kathleen March 25, 2016 at 6:31 pm - Reply

        Hi Helen, a few of the osprey here on North Shore of Nassau have been around since last Sunday…looking now, I think that the O in this nest IS Gracie. I hear chirps, but no sign of G. I viewed this site daily last year, but wrote only once…and once again this year…now I see there is another Kathleen…oops! Shall I dub myself Kathleen of Nassau? So excited to see them back. Isn’t there a way to write to this site without a Reply? It’s not showing…perhaps I missed it in the excitement!

    13. CarolV March 23, 2016 at 8:32 pm - Reply

      Darn! Missing all the fun of ospreywatch2016!!!! Working getting in the way!!!!
      For Lucie P..It was a necessity to take nest down to shorten that 80′ tower. I don’t think they plan on doing that every year. On the other hand, Cheasapeake Conservancy nest IS removed every year and the birds rebuild just fine. I just logged on to their cam and a bird is perched on a platform peg next to the start of this year’s home. So we hope for success
      either way.
      Watching ospreytrax, too,GinaM…amazes me how fast and purposefully they fly when the urge clicks on…

      • CarolV March 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm - Reply

        PS.Chesapeake Conservancy just installed “night vision” this year….but they had sponsorship and backing to provide the equipment….And something interesting they also do is provide nesting sticks which are marked with colored strings or ribbons…They leave them strewn nearby to be taken as needed. It’s interesting to see these marked sticks being used in the nest.

        • CarolV March 23, 2016 at 8:48 pm - Reply

          Took a quick peek at the DC eaglecam…parent and fluffballs looking all comfy…and a lovely fish carcass centered in front…midnight snack…

    14. Rjoneal March 23, 2016 at 6:14 pm - Reply

      Gina I don’t think it’s Gracie I went and took some still shot photos and there is no black circle under her right wing. I can’t remember it was either Gracie or George but they had a distinct circle under their wing and that’s how we could tell them apart last year do you remember ? Plus this one doesn’t look big enough to be Gracie Gracie was a lot bigger then the male George so I think it’s possible it could be George but I haven’t had a chance to look at my old pictures of George yet. Either way we got an osprey and it definitely looks like he or she is looking for he or she’s mate. Yeah 2016 season here we go!!!!

      • GinaM March 24, 2016 at 8:53 pm - Reply

        Yes, I agree. Maybe George!

    15. Carolyn March 23, 2016 at 4:59 pm - Reply

      1:57 pm PDT I would say the resident male Osprey George was on the nest about 2 :30 hours ago. Comparing this Osprey with pics from last year they look about the sam with the same markings under right wing. What do others think ??

    16. cheryl March 23, 2016 at 4:50 pm - Reply

      No matter who this is, it’s wonderful!!!!!!

      • Michael G. Martin March 23, 2016 at 8:52 pm - Reply

        The Ospreys in Rutland, Manton Bay in Great Britain have started to return to their nests. It won’t be long for ours to be coming Home
        Maybe we can start a friendly pool on the date when ours will start setting up House this Season

      • Trinity March 24, 2016 at 8:05 am - Reply

        Perfect timing! Spring has arrived, we osprey fans made it through the winter and now look forward to the joy our osprey nest brings 🙂

    17. GinaM March 23, 2016 at 4:44 pm - Reply

      Welcome Home Gracie!!! That sure looks like her!!!

      • GinaM March 23, 2016 at 4:48 pm - Reply

        Maybe that wasn’t Gracie- I just looked at her old pictures and her necklace is much more pronounced. I think you guys are right- it is a juvenile.
        Sandy and Ronnie are not supposed to be back this year- but if it was Sandy- she sure was QUIET! 🙂

        • Kathy B March 23, 2016 at 6:23 pm - Reply

          Might be George but you are right Gina…not Gracie. Her necklace way more pronounced. look back at some of the old pics.

        • Kathleen March 23, 2016 at 7:59 pm - Reply

          Hi GinaM. First – love the Summer of 2015! I hardly wrote to this site last year, but certainly enjoyed it daily and got a lot of cell shots. The O on the platform this afternoon has a very distinctive black marking on its head that I don’t see in any of last year’s pics (and I agree, Gracie’s necklace was darker). I too hoped it was Gracie and got all excited. Hmmmm…

    18. Kathryn k March 23, 2016 at 3:14 pm - Reply

      March 23 there is a young osprey on the nest. Could it be Sandy or Ronnie? Does this nest belong to Gracie or is it first come first get.

      • Kathryn k March 23, 2016 at 3:24 pm - Reply

        3:23pm the young osprey flew up to the camera?

      • Lucie Pecor March 23, 2016 at 3:36 pm - Reply

        sure wishes they wouldn’t always tear down the nest. Osprey like to extend on same nests season after season. Makes me sad for them to start over every year. It never gets bigger or stronger

    19. helen March 23, 2016 at 3:01 pm - Reply

      Maybe it is Gracie – does not look like George.

      • maria March 23, 2016 at 4:14 pm - Reply

        It could just be wishful thinking but that osprey had a black dot under wing like Gracie.. I heard males come back first/

    20. helen March 23, 2016 at 2:57 pm - Reply

      Looks almost like one of last year’s young which I know is not possible????????

    21. helen March 23, 2016 at 2:56 pm - Reply

      OMG – someone is back!!!!!

    22. Kathryn k March 23, 2016 at 2:54 pm - Reply

      Is that a young osprey?

    23. Kathryn k March 23, 2016 at 2:51 pm - Reply

      What kind of bird is on the nest at 2:49pm on March 23 is it first come first to make it their nest.

    24. Eva March 23, 2016 at 2:50 pm - Reply

      Osprey sitting on platform, looks a bit bedraggled and like trying to sleep. Also looking around as if for mate, must be thinking of the huge job ahead!

    25. Kathleen March 23, 2016 at 2:50 pm - Reply

      OSPREYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    26. isobel March 23, 2016 at 2:48 pm - Reply

      Hi everyone, Just been watching an osprey on the nest. George?? What a joy.

    27. Dawn March 23, 2016 at 2:44 pm - Reply

      Osprey on the nest!

    28. gracey March 23, 2016 at 2:38 pm - Reply

      2:30 EDT on Wednesday…Is that our George ?

    29. KPBUQUOI March 23, 2016 at 2:34 pm - Reply

      They are back or at least one of them is. I’ve been watching Grace or George circle all day and now he or she is perched on the nest looking at it like what the heck happened here. This makes my heart happy!

    30. Marlene March 23, 2016 at 10:51 am - Reply

      Good morning! I rewound the tape and saw a lonely crow checking out the nest earlier in the morning. Then, a house wren stopped by, investigated the platform, and flew off. It must look like a mansion to him! Awaiting our favorite feathered friends!

    31. Helen March 23, 2016 at 9:57 am - Reply

      Posted this before but don’t see it yet. One Osprey from the nest next door is perched on my dock in Shelter Island. YAY!!!

      • Eva March 23, 2016 at 3:43 pm - Reply

        Whoo hoo!

    32. Helen March 23, 2016 at 9:32 am - Reply

      One Osprey whose nest is next door to me on Shelter Island has arrived and is currently sitting in his usual perch on my dock. Am happy to see him or her.

    33. GinaM March 22, 2016 at 8:03 pm - Reply

      “Edwin” an Osprey from Fisher’s Island, who is wearing an OspreyTrax transmitter has made it all the way up to Princeton, NJ. He will be flying over Long Island to get to Fisher’s Island and then he will be home. I am going to keep an eye out for him! Lots of progress with the other Ospreytrax birds. They are all on their way. It bodes well for our birds. Talons Crossed!!

      • Keith March 23, 2016 at 3:22 pm - Reply

        3:20 an Osprey was on the nest just standing and checking things out.

        • Keith March 23, 2016 at 3:24 pm - Reply

          3:23 gone!

    34. Sandy -Massapequa March 22, 2016 at 8:55 am - Reply

      Watching for arrival from St. Lucia….don’t want to miss it,

      • Tucker March 22, 2016 at 10:21 am - Reply

        The spring run of fish is predicted to be earlier this year, water warming sooner due to milder temps. Some bait fish have been spotted at various locations on Long Island. Hopefully there will be lots of food for our pals. On a side note we don’t want an early bud break on our North Fork grapevines. If that should happen and we get a late frost it could do some damage to this year’s crop. Happy Spring!

    35. Jim Popel March 21, 2016 at 6:27 pm - Reply

      Yes Can you fix the camera? And if not why? come on Upgrade lets go!!

      • CarolV March 23, 2016 at 7:05 am - Reply

        Just 3 points…This tower is still about 60 ft. tall..no easy reach
        The nest is not on the platform, so perspective will be different
        This is a private site, not funded by donations or grants, so all upgrades must be carefully considered. Of the sites I’ve checked, this set up already has a lot going for it.

        • helen March 23, 2016 at 10:30 am - Reply

          Bravo Carol – we are absolutely blessed to have our site. Not only do we have our Osprey to observe, we have made some good friends all over the country (and if I remember, there was someone overseas who was watching as well).

    36. CarolV March 20, 2016 at 8:14 am - Reply

      Morning…On snow watch…supposed to start tonight…mixed forecasts, of course!!!! Our end of the island looks like we are likely to get it with a few inches. Depends on which way the wind blows….LI in the spring…always a surprise…
      Checked on the DC eagles..they are awaiting the appearance of #2 chick. It is working on it’s shell. Parent looks like it is doing a good job keeping the kids covered..The tree was really swaying in camera 2 view, so must be windy..Looks like a rain/snow mix tonight, followed by winds tomorrow.

    37. Leesa March 19, 2016 at 1:22 pm - Reply

      So excited that the Ospreys are back! I checked the site a few times throughout the winter when I knew it was snowing up there just to enjoy the view. But logged on yesterday for the first time in awhile and was thrilled to read that some osprey have been seen. Will y’all be able to positively identify if it is George and Gracie once they spend more time on the nest? I know I tried last year to look for markings to identify them, but can’t say for sure I accomplished this.
      Looking forward to a second season of following our family!!

    38. GinaM March 19, 2016 at 10:06 am - Reply

      Snowy, one of OspreyTrax’s birds, a 5 year old female, just arrived home in Martha’s Vineyard!

      • Tom March 21, 2016 at 10:01 pm - Reply

        One Sayville Osprey has arrived back at the nest on the third base side of the Broadway Ave field. At about 2:45 pm this afternoon, I watched, from my car, as he approached from the west. I can’t be sure if this was his moment of arrival back in town, or if he had been hanging around for hours, unseen. I think he is a “he” because I have read that the males usually arrive at their nests first. I have been waiting and watching every day, and this was my first sighting of the year. His approach and landing were very interesting to witness. When I first spotted him, I thought it was a seagull. I could only tell that this was our osprey when he flew high above the nest, From my spot in the parking lot, I could then easily observe the thickness of his body and wings. I was surprised when he passed his spring/summer home at high altitude, and even more fascinated when he made a sharp turn, an almost-360 degree about-face, in mid-air. Now facing the west, and a very strong wind, he hovered while flapping his wings and moving his head from left to right. He seemed to be checking out his surroundings, before deciding to make himself at home again. Still flapping, he rapidly descended.. Again, he hovered in mid-air, now about 50 yards east of the pole, below the level of the nest, at about 3/4 the height. Then he spread his wings, really wide, not flapping, and the force of the unusually strong air current lifted him up to his nest. He was not carrying a fish or a stick. He perched on the bar that sits above the multi-year nest of branches and twigs.

        • ChrisH March 22, 2016 at 10:38 am - Reply

          That must have been really cool to watch. I’ll have to go check out that field. It’s not too far from me but I never knew there were osprey nests there.

          • Tom March 23, 2016 at 6:40 pm - Reply

            That osprey was no bird-brain when it came to his flying skills. It was amazing how he was able to judge the wind, and then demonstrate such agility as he landed on the perch.

            There are two nests. Only the third base nest has an osprey right now. The other nest is just beyond right field. I checked on it a few times today, and did not see an osprey on or near the right field nest. Not sure if they would ordinarily sit IN the nest without eggs or babies in it. It would be nice to have an osprey cam up there!.

            If you go check them out, you should know that they sometimes sit atop the other “no nest” light poles that surround the baseball diamond.

            • ChrisH March 24, 2016 at 10:31 am

              Thanks for the info, Tom. I definitely have to get over there to see them. I’m surprised they wouldn’t be bothered by any ballgames going on?

    39. CarolV March 18, 2016 at 5:35 pm - Reply

      Just caught a glimpse of the new chick at the DC Arboretum cam. Second egg expected to hatch this weekend. Parent was keeping both well covered.

    40. GinaM March 18, 2016 at 10:35 am - Reply

      WELCOME HOME GEORGE!! That was a male who landed on the nest- I am hoping it was George! I hope we can turn the camera a little bit because it cuts off on the right and we can’t see some of the nest. Now we need Gracie and All will be well with the world!

      • jon March 18, 2016 at 12:30 pm - Reply

        It might not be him, could of been a first timer returning to it’s birth area.

        • Leanne March 18, 2016 at 6:16 pm - Reply

          I wonder if it could have been the same male who popped in on occasion last year?

          • GinaM March 21, 2016 at 12:20 pm - Reply

            Leanne, that was the one we named “Random Fledgling” I think! 🙂

        • GinaM March 18, 2016 at 9:18 pm - Reply

          I know. I saw two ospreys yesterday circling a field near the area of the nest and I could not help but wish they were “our” birds. There was something about this sighting, though, that really looked like George…

          We can hope that Gracie is not far behind.

      • Helen March 19, 2016 at 11:44 am - Reply

        Wow! I didn’t see. Wonderful!! Nothing on nests on Shelter Island near me yet.

      • Jeanne March 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm - Reply

        Whoo hoo

      • Carolyn March 20, 2016 at 3:43 pm - Reply

        I would say this was not George as he would have stayed around a bit longer or been seen since . I don’t think he has so It may have just been an other Osprey taking a break.

    41. June B March 18, 2016 at 9:26 am - Reply

      I’m just viewing the site for the first time this year and all I see is an empty platform. Did something happen to the nest or am I doing something wrong?

      • Eva March 18, 2016 at 10:17 am - Reply

        Hi June, height of tower reduced to make it easier should rescue ops be needed again. Nesting material had to be removed.

    42. KarenH March 18, 2016 at 7:35 am - Reply

      My co-worker, Suzanne, spotted one of our Ospreys at 6:45 and 6:50!!!! They are back. Anyone else see her or him?? Sitting on the nest rim for a short time.

      • Leanne March 18, 2016 at 9:55 am - Reply

        I just scrolled back and what a beautiful sight. I am so thrilled right now that I can’t even stand it. 🙂

      • Eva March 18, 2016 at 10:18 am - Reply

        I reviewed the feed for that time and caught an osprey; got a screen shot too!

      • DawnF March 18, 2016 at 10:51 am - Reply

        I scrolled back JUST in time. I am SO excited. I can hardly contain myself. Looks like It’s time to keep OspreyZone up 24/7 again! Yay!

    43. Leanne March 17, 2016 at 9:07 pm - Reply

      Did I just read that you’re expecting some snow on the first day of spring? Seriously? Makes me hope the G’s stay a way until that’s over and done with even though I cant wait to see them again.

    44. Marlene Jannotta March 17, 2016 at 1:28 pm - Reply

      Maria, thanks for the laugh about Monty loses his dignity in the nest. That was so cute!! If it was me, I would hope that no one saw, ha-ha!!

      • maria March 17, 2016 at 1:59 pm - Reply

        Your very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. I got such a kick out of it.

    45. CarolV March 16, 2016 at 9:04 pm - Reply

      Thought I saw an osprey soaring on thermals in vicinity of rts105/24 nest. May have been wishful thinking. Couldn’t really watch for long as other drivers expected me to pay attention and turn as light changed….some nerve!!!!!

      • CarolV March 16, 2016 at 9:06 pm - Reply

        Sorry..that’s Flanders, Riverhead..maybe 10-15 miles west of the G’s home.(as the proverbial crow flies)

    46. maria March 16, 2016 at 8:36 pm - Reply

      Hi all! I keep looking for our osprey. If you all want to have a good laugh go to utube and check out monty loses his dignity in the nest.

      • Leanne March 17, 2016 at 10:10 am - Reply

        That is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. It’ll keep me chuckling for a while. 🙂

      • ChrisH March 17, 2016 at 5:20 pm - Reply

        OMG – that is too funny!! Had to watch it at least four times in a row! Thanks for letting us know about it.

    47. Carol C March 16, 2016 at 2:04 pm - Reply

      While we wait for the north fork ospreys to return, you can get a look at the Sarasota, Florida pair here: http://www.mysuncoast.com/osprey/ .
      They are a few weeks ahead and already have two eggs in the nest, which sits on the local TV stations tower.

      • helen March 16, 2016 at 5:30 pm - Reply

        Thanks for the info. They have a very luxurious nest. Thanks again.

    48. Karen March 16, 2016 at 1:05 pm - Reply

      It is 1:03 pm. There are mockingbirds having a ball and singing like crazy up there. I heard it imitate a Carolina Wren over and over.

    49. gracey March 15, 2016 at 5:33 pm - Reply

      Around 5:00 EDT there is a small brown speckled bird perched on the side railing. This seems to me to be a good OMEN – they’re coming soon….

    50. Monica March 15, 2016 at 4:51 pm - Reply

      Question – I thought that the family won’t return. That most likely it will be a new pair of parents. Also, the “kids” are not ready to come back up north until next year. Is that correct?

      • Lori March 16, 2016 at 10:56 am - Reply

        The parents should return. The fledglings have one full year in their winter home, so will not go north again until next year at this time. They won’t likely return to this nest, but possibly to the general area, within 20 to 40 miles.

    51. Monica March 15, 2016 at 4:42 pm - Reply

      Hello everyone!! I hope you’re all doing well!! First time logging on this year. So, was the nest cleaned out? Was the tower lowered? I guess I’ll have to read the past comments to see what’s been going on. 🙂

    52. Leanne March 15, 2016 at 2:22 pm - Reply

      This is probably a stupid question but is there any chance of another osprey claiming this nest?

      • Elizabeth March 16, 2016 at 10:26 am - Reply

        Not a stupid question Leanne. There is a possibility another osprey could claim the nest and fighting to gain control.

        • Leanne March 16, 2016 at 11:03 pm - Reply

          Thanks so much for that information.

    53. GinaM March 15, 2016 at 8:17 am - Reply

      Lots of movement north on OspreyTrax. Every time I log on here I am hoping to see an Osprey on the nest. Not long now!!

      • Tom March 15, 2016 at 5:52 pm - Reply

        I have not seen the ospreys that live on two Broadway Ave baseball field poles in Sayville. They usually return around March 20th

    54. Rjoneal March 15, 2016 at 8:12 am - Reply

      Hi everyone and especially thanks to Paul and Tommy and his whole family with all the technical people that help behind the scenes as well. Thanks for keeping the live feed on pretty much throughout the whole summer. it’s nice to get our family viewers that started with us and new comers back together again for a new season. I am so excited ! I’ve been reading all the comments all summer long but have not commented glad you kept it going through the summer. As you know I live in Florida so I have ospreys all year long but this is my true family and can’t wait I know any day George and Gracie will be back.. Over the summer I looked at all my pictures and reviewed all the video clips I sure did miss them. I have been watching all the eagle live cams and once in a while the Osprey at pink shell but do not like it since it’s not as good as our Osprey family. Got the TV computer iPad and iPhone all ready to go just waiting to see our family. Should we all take bets on what date we think we’ll see the first one and if it’s George or Gracie to return to the nest ?

    55. bleue March 14, 2016 at 10:04 pm - Reply

      in nissequogue, have been hearing ospreys for >2 days…

    56. Kathy B March 14, 2016 at 6:42 pm - Reply

      Chesapeake Conservatory site is up and there is a nest being made. Think Audrey may be back. Have seen one but not both. Not sure Tom is back. Yipee……getting closer.

    57. Mitchell March 14, 2016 at 5:06 pm - Reply

      Is it possible to center the camera on the platform? Looks like there will be an even worse blind spot this year.

    58. Marlene March 14, 2016 at 3:27 pm - Reply

      Hi, I haven’t written a comment since George and the babes headed south, but I’ve been checking in periodically — more often, now that it’s getting close to their arrival. Yes, I’m very excited too! Can’t wait to see our famous parents again!!

    59. Leanne March 14, 2016 at 1:52 pm - Reply

      Checking in multiple times daily for the return of our George and Gracie. Today, March 14, is very windy and waves crashing onto beach. Hope it clears and stays clear for our birds.

      • Helen March 14, 2016 at 5:30 pm - Reply

        Nothing on Shelter Island yet.

    60. Bob March 14, 2016 at 7:24 am - Reply

      Does anyone have a date for the return for this family?

      • GinaM March 14, 2016 at 11:02 am - Reply

        Could be within the next couple of weeks… if not sooner.

    61. CarolV March 13, 2016 at 9:05 pm - Reply

      Anyone else checking OSPREYTRAX.COM? Just checked in for lastest update and Wow! Some of these guys are really bookin’! once the urge hits….

      • CarolV March 13, 2016 at 9:06 pm - Reply

        that’s latest…got excited……..

      • GinaM March 14, 2016 at 11:03 am - Reply

        Yes! It is amazing how far they travel. I just hope they stay far away from the Dominican Republic because they shoot ospreys there.

    62. rodeehansen March 13, 2016 at 8:06 am - Reply

      Sunday morning coming down ….
      Lots of commotion on top of a telephone pole caught my attention yesterday while driving in Calverton, NY. Two ravens and an osprey were having an altercation.
      My first sighting was not as expected, but, YES, our beloved Long Island Ospreys are back. LONG LIVE THE OSPREY. RH

      • GinaM March 14, 2016 at 9:59 am - Reply

        Awesome, Rodee. I keep looking around here and haven’t seen one yet… I will probably drive off the road when I do!

    63. Diane S March 13, 2016 at 8:00 am - Reply

      Unbelievable beauty this morning, March 13th, 8am! You can see the reflection of the clouds on the Bay! Spring is in the air!?

    64. GinaM March 12, 2016 at 7:11 pm - Reply

      One thing I noticed is that the camera is now not showing as much of the nest as it was before it was lowered. Is it my imagination? Or does anyone else notice it?

      • Jenn March 14, 2016 at 11:26 am - Reply

        Looking at the live feed compared to the still pictures just to the right of it in the Highlights section, it looks to be pretty much the same angle to me.

    65. Sandy - Massapequa March 12, 2016 at 1:32 am - Reply

      Hi everyone, this is my first post this year. I have been keeping am eye on cam and reading comments from the Gracey & George,Sandy & Ronnie fans.
      I will be away in a secluded island soon and hope to have good WiFi connection to keep an eye on the Homecoming. Expected dates of arrival, in my calendar, is March 16 to 26. Let’s watch and see.
      Happy osprey watching and posting. Looking forward to this season. Thank you to owners and all the technical people associated with this wonderful, fulfilling experience.

      • RonS March 14, 2016 at 11:21 am - Reply

        Remember, if they return on Match 17th, their names are George and Gracie O’Sprey.

        • ChrisH March 14, 2016 at 1:22 pm - Reply

          Lol… excellent!!! Can’t stop chuckling at that one!! 🙂

        • Leanne March 14, 2016 at 1:50 pm - Reply

          I like it!!

        • redkayak March 16, 2016 at 11:06 am - Reply

          Nice one! lol

    66. LT March 11, 2016 at 12:37 pm - Reply

      Thank you everyone for keeping the comments going during the “off season”. Looking forward to another action packed Osprey spring/summer which it sounds like should be starting soon.

      • tuckertomm March 11, 2016 at 4:01 pm - Reply

        I live on the North Fork saw an Osprey yesterday, March Madness!!!

    67. Junec March 11, 2016 at 11:51 am - Reply

      How many feet was the pole lowered?

      • Junec March 11, 2016 at 11:53 am - Reply

        Ignore ? Read on and saw it was lowered 20 feet….

    68. gracey March 10, 2016 at 5:17 pm - Reply

      Please don’t change anything about messages…it is perfect the way it is….

      Do you have a count of how many commenters you have? I am curious…thanks.

      We’re anxious…

      • jon Powers March 11, 2016 at 11:13 am - Reply

        No it isn’t perfect, the one i suggested is instant and you can make an account and see everything in real time, i’m pretty sure it’s gets overwhelming for him to keep approving comments and i’m sure he gets alot of them, check it out for yourself spot.im

        • Leanne March 11, 2016 at 3:05 pm - Reply

          I’d love to see everything in real time too.

      • CarolV March 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm - Reply

        I agree with you, Gracey. I have been on the “real time” chats and find it confusing. Maybe because I don’t do Facebook or chat rooms, I found it confusing with people popping in to say hi as others signed in..then others asking questions that were answered 6.8.10 replies later,…and the moderators weren’t open all the time anyway.. So, for my purposes, this works just fine. I can check in when I get home and comment on my own time. Maybe I have to scroll back to get caught up, but I’m fine with that.I can reread anything I find pertinent and skip through what is not relevant to me. When I first signed on, I was weeks behind the action. With this system, I was able to scroll back to see what had been happening. So far, this is the only site I’ve been on that had this feature, as well as the 4 hr scroll back in video and the library of videos featuring momentous occasions. My vote is for keep it this way.

    69. barbara March 10, 2016 at 12:33 pm - Reply

      I haven’t been on the site since the birds left. I was surprised how many people are still commenting. Those ospreys have certainly drawn a large following . Seeing the nest has me excited for their arrival. Cmon George and Gracie!!!!!

    70. Leanne March 10, 2016 at 9:49 am - Reply

      Nest looks peaceful this morning. Birds chirping in the background which is making me even more excited about George and Gracie’s return. I can’t wait to see them again.

      • Eleanor March 10, 2016 at 10:49 am - Reply

        I tried to post yesterday but it never showed up. I live in Greenport and an osprey landed in on a post in our yard late yesterday afternoon.

        • GinaM March 10, 2016 at 7:12 pm - Reply

          Eleanor, I am very excited to read of your osprey in Greenport. After reading your post earlier, I checked 8 nests on the North Shore of Eastern Nassau and did not find any. If there is an osprey in Greenport, there is no reason to not expect to log on here one day soon and see one of our G’s rebuilding the nest. I can’t wait.

        • helen March 11, 2016 at 9:39 am - Reply

          That’s cool. None in my neighborhood in Shelter Island yet.

        • CarolV March 11, 2016 at 11:28 am - Reply

          Hi…our comments don’t show up directly…routed thru a “moderating” site…but I’m not the one to explain this..I hope someone tech savvy answers that one! But I believe this weeds out malicious and insulting comments…There is no online moderator

    71. Jmd March 9, 2016 at 7:29 pm - Reply

      If you watch the Chesapeake Conservancy One Osprey sitting on its nesting edge, but it has no nesting material waiting for mate I guess to start rebuilding.

      • Karen March 10, 2016 at 10:44 am - Reply

        Thanks for that update!

    72. GinaM March 9, 2016 at 7:19 pm - Reply

      This warm spell should help a lot. If it keeps up, the water will warm up and the fish will start to come north… and if tasty fish is moving north, so are our Ospreys. I highly recommend OspreyTrax!! But I must say, it does cause ospreyanxiety when a bird drops off the radar for a bit.

      I imagine our Sandy is squawking up a storm somewhere in Cuba. She and Ronnie will stay there of further south this year. Next Spring they will come back to the nest they were born in.

      Meanwhile, our G’s will be on their way and this year they will be experienced parents – we hope! I really want to put a few windshield wipers under the nest as a welcome home present for George. 🙂

      • Leanne March 10, 2016 at 12:38 pm - Reply

        Sandy and Ronnie will return next year? I didn’t know that and am already excited to see them.

        • GinaM March 10, 2016 at 7:13 pm - Reply

          Yes, they usually spend two winters in their southern home and then fly back to the nest of their birth. I have a feeling we will know Sandy when we HEAR her arrive 🙂

    73. Eleanor March 9, 2016 at 6:52 pm - Reply

      An osprey just landed in a tree in my yard in Greenport! ?

      • GinaM March 10, 2016 at 12:41 pm - Reply

        Really??!! That is wonderful news!!!! I wonder who it is!

    74. June c March 9, 2016 at 5:39 pm - Reply

      So happy to see web cam on…they should be here soon..sooo looking forward to seeing them!!! Did some reading this winter Gressner and Poole…

    75. KarenH March 9, 2016 at 2:37 pm - Reply

      Doesn’t a day like today just make you think “Osprey”!!

    Looking for the comment form? It has been moved to the top of the comments section! Click here to go to the comment form