CHESAPEAKE BAY, MD~2018-2024

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Awaiting to see if there will be a 2nd clutch here. They both are certainly acting as if they are inclined to do so.

Beth · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2022 9:35 pm

Swinwk-do we know why they abandoned the first clutch?

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Beth, it was Audrey. She left about the time it got cold and windy here which she does not like and soon the female intruder showed up and I am unsure if this female was in the area and seen by Audrey prior to her leaving. I think Audrey not only disappears in nasty weather, but she doesn't seem to hang out if intruders are around. It was Audrey who left not Tom.

He hung out trying to hang onto the nest, but did not incubate around the clock. The intruder incidents have happened twice this season. I know a male intruder was involved the 1st time it happened in addition to this same female intruder. To me it seemed this female wanted the nest, but not Tom necessarily. Eventually Tom got rid of her and Audrey returned. But both Tom and Audrey are acting just as if they have recently arrived for the season and are headed for eggs. I hope if it does happen that Audrey will remain to incubate. There shouldn't be anymore of the cold and windy weather at least.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Second clutch started for Calico Tom and Audrey a little over 3 hours ago!!

Beth · **Posted:** Tue May 31, 2022 9:59 pm

Thanks Swinwk...

Do we think the 2nd clutch is a good idea?
I remember in Columbus, Ohio Osprey nest they had late eggs and
the chicks didn't make because of the heat.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Beth, you are right about them not making it in the heat, but that is because inexperienced parents went after an intruder/s and left them alone in the sun without one staying behind to shield them from it. I saw that live. It was horrible! The chicks were not very old.

It will be hot there especially by the time of hatch. I hope it will work out for them. Here's the highs in July for the state:

How hot is Maryland in July?
Daily high temperatures are around 88°F, rarely falling below 80°F or exceeding 97°F. The highest daily average high temperature is 89°F on July 21.

And AccuWeather daily temp predictions for Kent island in July 2022 are upper 80's to low 90's this summer.

Beth · **Posted:** Wed Jun 01, 2022 7:15 am

I also watched the Columbus nest when that happened, I was so sad for the little ones.

Fingers crossed for this nest :attention:

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Egg 2 for clutch 2 for Tom and Audrey about 2:30 pm.!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

New Mrs. COM Blog:

"HOLD MY BEER-A REQUEST FROM MOTHER NATURE" Posted on July 6, 2022 by ospreycam

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

For Audrey and Calico Tom's 2nd clutch!

Beth · **Posted:** Fri Jul 08, 2022 2:34 pm

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Audrey and Calico Tom have lost their chick that hatched from their 2nd clutch. The cam has been unplugged per info from one of the cam ops and Mr. COM is going to retrieve the chick's body. The info coming out is sketchy at this time. The remaining egg has just passed the usual time for hatch.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

The cam has been back about half an hour and am assuming Mr. COM has already retrieved the chick's body, but don't know for sure as Audrey is standing on the rail and blocking the view where the chick laid previous to the cam going to highlights. Tom has been rearranging the rails and brought in a stick and placed. Audrey chirps occasionally.

This posted awhile ago:

Chesapeake_Conservancy_Member Mod • 20 minutes ago
Sad news to share from the Osprey nest with Tom & Audrey. Earlier today, the lone Osprey chick expired unexpectedly. COM is retrieving the chick and will try to have someone determine what happened.

Nature can be tough especially in an already tough bird season. Thank you for your viewership and support.

Capture posted by Chesapeake Conservancy of Audrey on the nest.

Edit to add: Have since seen Audrey and Tom's chick's body has been removed from the nest. The egg remains.

Beth · **Posted:** Sun Jul 17, 2022 8:46 pm

Oh gosh, so sad about this news...wonder what happened?
Thanks Swinwk.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:41 am **Posts:** 12708

Still no word on a possible cause of Audrey and Tom's chick's passing. Audrey and Tom are still present and right now Audrey is on the nest. She may still fly off into the darkness yet or she may spend the night tonight.