I logged on this am and set the video going. Checked back while I was feeding the dogs and WOW activity on the nest. No O's but at least some activity

Mother Goose flew in to check out the nest box 7:55am


She stood on the far corner and looked all around the inside and outside of the box. Then flew across to the near side and stepped down on the support post.

She continued looking all about as if inspecting it's potential to hold eggs. She turned this way and that. The other pair of geese floated by heading down river and Father Goose flew at them - then up at and past the nest box.


Returned to land - screaming . (no sound of course but that open mouth tells the story)


They both stayed for another minute or two and then dropped down out of sight on the near side.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19TH

9:47ish a.m.
A bit of an altercation below the nest.
One Canada goose has been walking the shoreline and each time another pair of Canada's swim near, or approach land, the goose has been chasing them off. Marking it's territory for nesting ??:dunno:

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013

7:30 a.m.
Still no sign of osprey.
The sandbar in the river is still covered in snow and ice.

10:15am Sunday April 21

Morning Judy.

The geese paid another visit to the nest box around 10:00 am this morning. Stayed for a little over 5 minutes before taking off.


I contacted our "lives in Calgary" contributor Christine. She said that she has not seen a single Osprey at any of the nests that are near where she lives. She has not been down to the zoo, but we know they aren't there either. She also said that a few have been seen an hour and a half south of Calgary - so I will guess that's about 150 miles.

I would say that is good news - well at least hopeful.

MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013

7:32 a.m.
Bird activity at the end of the sandbar this morning...... unfortunately it's not the birds we're waiting for.

I have a question for you... Do the osprey usually fill the nest in? (Thanks BET for answering below)
I am curious.....
carolyn

It seems as if they are still in migration then.....takes a while! Can you imagine?

Monday, April 22

Morning Judy and Carolyn. Good sign seeing the gulls have arrived! Maybe Super Mom will arrive today. Depending on her progress, the snow storm that blasted through Montana yesterday is gone so there is an open weather pattern for today, storms tomorrow and then open again for several days.

Carolyn, to answer your question about the empty nest box. Starting about 3/4 years ago, the Canadas started trying to use it for their nest. So the people involved with managing the nest and camera, stripped it down to prevent the geese from using it. The geese can't carry nesting material in their beaks to build a nest. Which ever of the Osprey pair that arrives first starts adding sticks to build a new nest. Takes them a couple of weeks to make it habitable and then another couple to get it ready for eggs.

Last year Mom returned on April 15. First egg delivered May 2

Thank you BET....that makes perfect sense. I can see where the geese would use it if they could as they have been on it checking it out.
Hopefully very soon for Super Mom. And a nice mate.
I'll be watching with you.
carolyn