Maps & Data

Description

Port Royal Plaza Parking Lot on 278 . Nest is on light fixture in middle of parking lot, diagonally across from Planet Fitness. The monitors have named the pair Sammie and Sam.



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2025 Season Data


Nest Status

active

Clutch Status

hatched

Young Status

brooding


Clutch history milestones

March 3, 2025
unknown
April 6, 2025

Brood history milestones

May 18, 2025
unknown
unknown
3


Activity log

Date Watcher Adults Eggs Young Observations Photo Edit
January 31 HHI Osprey Watch 0 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: First nest check – No osprey activity. Nest is completely gone from last year and will need to be completely rebuilt.
February 4 HHI Osprey Watch 0 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: No visual or sound evidence of osprey in the area. The nest light fixture mains empty with no evidence of nest building activity
February 14 HHI Osprey Watch 0 N N
Note: Sheila B reprots: The nest light fixture still has no evidence of nest building. However, when I arrived there was an osprey standing on a neighboring light fixture eating a fish. The osprey was observed from 3:40 – 4:08 PM. I was able to see chest markings and there were only had a few dark feathers in the center of its chest so I concluded it was a male. He appeared to be healthy (good appetite, fluid movements and tidy plumage). He actively looked around the area while he was eating. Since he was not seen in the nesting light fixture, I am not sure if it is from this nest or one of the other osprey nests in this area.
February 24 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: I have two new observations for nest #2515. It would appear our male has returned but still not conclusive since no female or nest building...yet!
March 3 HHI Osprey Watch 2 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: When I arrived at the nesting site an osprey was already standing on the fixture. With closer inspection using binoculars, there was a definite necklace indicating it was female. She stood quietly on the nesting platform looking around the area. About 3:40 she made a few soft chirps and another osprey (I believe a male – no visible chest markings) flew down to the platform, briefly touched down then took off. While the second osprey flew in and exited, the female was flapping her wings while remaining in a standing position. When the 2nd osprey flew off, it flew in a spiral pattering gaining height. There was 3rd osprey in the sky as well but there was no interaction between it and the other two osprey. When I left at 4:30, the female was still standing on the nest platform. No visible nesting material was seen.
March 4 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: Nest # 2515: Drove by nest at 12:40 PM and there was an osprey on the next platform again. Took a quick look with binoculars and could easily see a necklace indicating it was a female. Came for another look at 3:15 and the female osprey had moved from the nesting platform to a snag located a short distance away. She continued looking around the area. There were at least 30 grackles in the snag and many neighboring trees. The female did not seem to be distracted by them. Nesting platform still does not have any obvious new nesting material.
March 4 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Joanne V reports: Today is the first time I’ve seen an osprey in the nest , although the monitor officially assigned to this nest saw an adult last week. (I am at the location 3x a week for unrelated activities, but always look at the nest when there). I presume it is the mother, but I only had my cellphone with me, so couldn’t get a closeup look. It does look like a “necklace marking on the chest.). She sat pretty quietly for the full hour I was nearby and remained in the nest even when a light rain began. The nest itself took a beating in the off season. It’s too high in the light structure to see how much nesting material is down below, but there is no visible material as it typically the case for this nest. I’m hopeful some rebuilding will take place.
March 6 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: 2:50 PM female flew to nesting light to perch. Another osprey circled over nest light once then flew off toward tower behind old Sam’s building. It was flying in circles over the pond area behind Sam’s. Female on nest light took off a few minutes later but didn’t see the direction she went. 2:56 two ospreys were circling over pond area. At 3:00 a third osprey joined in the circling behavior but it was a short distance away from the pair that seemed to be flying together. The views of this behavior were intermittent due to trees. 3:04 all ospreys were gone from view. Returned at 4:10 to find female perched in the snag tree near the nesting light. No visible nesting material was seen.
March 8 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: Female osprey was perched on light when I arrived. She was looking around the area. She gave a few soft chirps, waited about five minutes, made a few more soft chirps then flew off toward SW. 4:45 Female returned from SW, circled the parking lot area once then perched on a pine tree near Goodwill. The female was still there when I left. No signs of male yet and there is no visible nesting material in the light fixture yet.
March 13 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: I checked the nest daily from Mar. 9-12 and no osprey were anywhere in the parking lot area. Today at 1:30 I saw female osprey sitting on nest light fixture looking around the area. No male seen and no nesting material was evident in the light. Jo V. reported seeing the female in the nest for over an hour this morning.
March 17 HHI Osprey Watch 1 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: –2: 30 PM osprey was seen perched in snag at the edge of the parking lot. Osprey was quiet and just looking around the area. Could not tell if male or female. No other osprey was evident in the vicinity. No visible nesting material was seen on the nesting platform.
March 18 HHI Osprey Watch 2 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: 12:40 PM an osprey was standing on the nest light and there was also a large stick with Spanish moss on the light. This was not there yesterday. Bird showed only a few dark feathers in the center of the chest which would indicate a male. Osprey flew off to a pine by Goodwill shortly after I arrived. It made no vocal sounds. 4:10-4:25 PM Two osprey were observed in a pine tree by Goodwill. Male at the top of the picture and female at the bottom. Male flew off shortly after I arrived and female was still in the tree when I left at 4:25. There was no new nesting material on the nest light fixture.
March 25 HHI Osprey Watch 2 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: 11:45 AM female was standing on nest. A good amount of nesting had been added. Female was actively looking around the area. She began chirping then changed her body direction and started chirping more loudly. Male flew in with a fish which female took and mantled. She continued chirping and then the male joined in and the chirping became louder and more urgent. Both birds were looking in the air and then another male flew low over the nest. It flew away and did not return. Female left the nest and went to a neighboring snag and started to eat her fish while the male remained in the nest. The male flew to a nearby pine tree where he had a direct view of the female. 12:08 PM female on snag eating her fish and there were many fish crows and grackles in the area, some in the same tree with the female. Male osprey came to the snag, touched down on the female’s back to initiate mating but the female’s footing did not seem to be good as she slipped slightly to the side, so male stopped the mating attempt. About 12:25 PM female returned to the nest with the remainder of her fish and continued eating. Male returned and first mating was completed then male flew off. Withing two minutes the male returned to the nest. Twice the male flew a short, very low lap around the nesting area then returned to the nest. When I left at 12:34, only the female was standing in the nest. Returned at 3:55-4:05 PM. Female was standing on neighboring snag and male was in the nest. The male made multiple low-level laps around the parking lot which has quite a few single trees with dead branches. He would fly in and snap off branches or pick up Spanish moss off the ground and take it back to the nest. The female did not participate in the stick collection but did call out periodically from her observation post. Male was still working on nesting when I left.
March 31 HHI Osprey Watch 2 N N
Note: Sheila B reports: 11:35 AM – Female (Sammie) was standing in the nest preening, occasionally vocalizing and looking around the area. It appears more nesting has been added since it is now rising above the platform lights. The male (Sam) is perched in one of the pine trees near Goodwill which is an easy spot for him to watch the nest. 11:44 Sammie flew to pine next to the one Sam is in. Sammie was repeatedly chirped while looking in the direction of Sam. 11:50 Sammie returned to the nest followed by Sam and mating encounter happened. Both osprey remained standing in the nest until Sam flew back to the pine at 11:56. When I left at 12:10, Sammie was still standing in the nest rearranging some of the nest materials and Sam was in the pine tree.
April 6 HHI Osprey Watch 1 U N
Note: Joanne V reports: watched Sammie for an hour while at the nearby gym. She is clearly in incubation position. She repositioned a couple of times, but never left the nest. Sam was no where in sight. Calling today’s date of 4/6/25 for incubation initiation.
April 8 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: April 8, 2025 11:20-11:58 AM Sheila Broadbent 2 N N Observations/ Picture: Nest #2515 – 11:20 AM: Sammie was on nest and Sam in nearby snag when I arrived. Sam and Sammie would occasionally give single chirps. Sammie seemed to be in flat back position and as she was observed, her feathers started to stand up and a short time later feathers laid back down. I suspect she may have been laying an egg. She sat quietly for a while then started to gently chirp while facing Sam. Her chirps became more frequent and louder while she looked at Sam. 11:58 Sam came to nest and there was mating.
April 8 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: April 8, 2025 12:00-12:30 PM Sheila Broadbent 2 N N Observations/ Picture: Nest #2515 – 12:00 PM: Sam made two short forays for more nesting material. He remained at the nest working on nesting arrangement and trying to snap off some twigs sticking out while Sammie observed. Sam and Sammie both vocalized loudly when another pair of osprey flew overhead and then flew away. Sam left the nest about 12:25 and flew from the area. Sammie spent some time preening and was still standing in nest when I left at 12:30 PM.
April 11 HHI Osprey Watch 1 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: Nest #2515 – 3:35 PM: Osprey sitting low in nest and did some preening. It shifted a bit in the nest then it put its head down and body rocked side to side (like when a bird settles onto eggs). The head popped up. At this point only the head and wing tips were visible. There was no sign of second osprey.
April 13 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: Nest #2515 – 11:10 PM: One osprey hunkered way down in nest – only head and wing tips visible. 12 PM Sammie still on nest and Sam flew in. He seemed to drop something off but it was not clear what it was. He flew off immediately to a neighboring pine. Sammie made loud vocalizations for at least ten minutes while Sam stayed in the tree. I left at this point. Based on Sammie’s behavior and nest positioning over last three days, I suspect there is at least one egg in the nest.
April 14 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Joanne V reports: Initially thought Sammie was in nest incubating, but now think it might have been Sam. The mate flew in and then they traded places. It looks like in the final pics it’s Sam that flew out as I don’t see markings on the chest.
April 23 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: 3:30 PM: Sammie low in nest incubating and Sam flies in with small fish for her. Sammie takes fish to nearby pine tree and Sam settles in to incubate. Sammie eats her fish, chirping periodically. She mantles and chirps more loudly as several crows start to move closer to her. Crows fly off after the fish is gone. Sammie returns to nest 3:55 to incubate and Sam flies to nearby pine.
April 28 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: – 3:35 PM: Sam in nest incubating and Sammie in nearby oak eating a fish. Sammie mantling and chirping due to crow flying in very close nearly touching her back. After about 5 minutes the crow left Sammie alone. Sam started to chirp. Following his head position there were two ospreys flying in different locations nearby. Sam’s warning calls got louder and faster if one of the birds started to come close. They eventually flew farther away and Sam stopped calling. 4:15 PM Sammie came back to the nest for incubating and Sam flew to nearby pine roosting so he could see the nest.
May 1 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: – 3:35 PM: Sammie in nest incubating and Sam in pine preening. Some light chirping from both birds. Sam briefly flew to nest then flew to neighboring oak. When I returned at 5:00 PM, Sammie flew from pine to edge of nest quietly chirping until Sam got up and went to nearby pine. Sammie settled in to incubate.
May 3 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U N
Note: Sheila B reports: 11:10 PM: Sammie in nest and Sam in tree preening. Sam flies to nest and Sammie goes to nearby pine.
May 18 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 1
Note: Sheila B reports: Sammie standing and repositioning in nest. She seems to be sitting very high (more of body visible). Her mouth is open panting due to heat. 11:03 AM Sam arrives with small fish which Sammie immediately takes to nearby pine. Sam settles onto nest. Sammie ate quickly and feaked her beak. Sam giving loud warning calls due to a third osprey flying right over the nest. He continues calling until osprey leaves the area. During this time, Sammie stays in pine but watching the nest. 11:13 AM Sammie returns to the nest. Both parents look into the nest then Sam flies to nearby pine. As Sammie settled into nest, I believe one small head briefly popped up!
May 18 HHI Osprey Watch 1 U 1
Note: Joanne V reports: Lots of soft chirping coming from the nest. Sammie was in the nest and appeared she might be feeding a chick. At times, it looked as though a little head was visible, but it was tough to tell. At this point, I am reporting 1 chick hatched, but Sheila (the assigned nest monitor) will continue to closely observe for further confirmation.
May 20 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 1
Note: Sheila B reports: 12:00 PM Sammie comes back to nest. Sam flies out and returns a few minutes later with a large new stick. Sammie is definitely engaging in feeding behavior – she is pulling up on something in the nest then putting her head carefully back down where a chick would be. Sammy takes a quick lap around the parking lot while Sam works on arranging the new stick. Sam settles onto nest and Sammie goes to neighboring pine. 6:00 PM - Both Sam and Sammie standing in the nest. Sammie is feeding chick(s) but no chick head is visible. Sam alternates between looking into the nest and watching outward. Sam starts to chirp due to another osprey flying in the area. After several warning calls, the third osprey flew away. Sammie continues feeding and Sam goes to neighboring pine tree. 6:13 PM Sammie settles down into the nest and Sam watches from the pine.
May 26 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 1
Note: Sheila B reports: Both adults in nest. Sam very carefully feeding but no chick head visible yet. Sammie left nest and Sam continued feeding. I changed location to get another view and when I looked at the nest, Sammie had returned and was eating a fish. Sam was working on nesting arrangement then came over to take a couple bites of Sammie’s fish! Sam took the rest of the fish to a nearby pine to eat. Sammie worked on the nesting, preened then settled into the nest about 11:45 AM. Sam was still in the pine.
May 28 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 1 young standing
Note: Sheila B reports: Nest #2515 – 3:15 PM Sammie in nest aerating and also making some quiet chirping . Sam arrived with a fish. Sammie took the fish and Sam went to nearby oak tree. Sammie starts feeding small bites and one chick’s head is easily visible! I think there is a second chick but the view was obstructed. The chick I could see clearly seemed to have pretty good head control. NOTE: there is a possibility of 2 chicks; will continue to closely monitor
June 4 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 1 feeding, young laying down
Note: Sheila B reports: 9:30 AM Weather is overcast and it has been raining. One adult in sitting fairly low in the nest. Second osprey arrived with a stick for the nest. Both adults work on the nest aerating and arranging sticks. Sam flies to neighboring oak and Sammie appears to be feeding. Nest edge is getting quite high so the chick(s) not visible at this time. 3:30 PM it is raining and Sammie is low in the nest and Sam is perched in nearby oak looking around the nest area. Adults nest building and feeding behaviors would indicate chick(s) are progressing.
June 6 HHI Osprey Watch 2 3 3 young standing
Note: Three chicks are now confirmed in this nest (see photo).
June 12 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 3 feeding
Note: Sheila B reports: 11:50 AM I arrived and Sammie was feeding. One chick was standing tall at one side looking out of the nest while the other two were eating. Before long I got a great view of all 3 chicks - could clearly see heads, necks and the top of their bodies! One chick definitely seems stronger. It stood the entire time I was watching and even did a good wing stretch. Sam flew in with a fish, took a few bites then took the fish to a nearby oak to eat. Sammie went back to feeding the chicks. All three chicks and Sammie are in the photo.
June 20 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 3
Note: Sheila B reports: – 3:55 PM Sammie on nest chirping frequently and all three chicks are visible. Three adult ospreys were flying overhead in the surrounding area and Sammie’s chirps got louder, sharper and faster. The chicks popped down out of sight. Sam arrived with a small fish. Sam and Sammie both chirp loudly while looking at other osprey in the air. As other osprey fly away, Sam went to nearby oak to perch. Sammie fed the two larger chicks most of the fish but the smallest one only got two small bites. About 4:20 Sammie left the nest and Sam stayed in the oak tree. When I left at 4:35, Sammie was still not back and all three chicks were active.
June 22 HHI Osprey Watch 2 U 2
Note: Sheila B: :30 PM Two good sized chicks standing in nest panting. Chicks show good feather development including tail feathers and their balance is much improved. Sam perched in neighboring oak. Sammie arrives and spreads her wings to provide shade for her babies. No sign of the third chick today. (Saw third chick briefly yesterday. It looked to be less than half the size of the larger chicks and its feather development seemed far behind the other two.)
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