Hellgate Osprey Webcam

[Rita]

Just stumbled over this nest and thread. They are breeding above a parking lot. Blimey.

Thank you, Chimega, for the awesome pics and documentation.

[Chimega]

Hi Rita!

Yes they are near a parking lot but they were there first, before the parking lot was that close. They don't seem to mind it too much but people walking under the nest, they don't like too much. I don't blame them, either.

Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind words.

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

Earlier today...

[Rita]

I managed to read through all of the 39 pages - the lives of Iris and her two partners and their offspring. What a drama. *sigh*
And happy L'el'e now.

Awesome place to breed and awesome nest owner Iris. I will be watching this nest and this thread next year. Hopefully there will be more luck for their chicks.

PS: I like your signature, Chimega.

[Chimega]

I managed to read through all of the 39 pages - the lives of Iris and her two partners and their offspring. What a drama. *sigh*
And happy L'el'e now.

Awesome place to breed and awesome nest owner Iris. I will be watching this nest and this thread next year. Hopefully there will be more luck for their chicks.

PS: I like your signature, Chimega.

Hi Rita

Yes there is always drama at Hellgate!

Hopefully this next year will be extra good for Iris and Louis.

Iris has had 3 known mates so far and is approximately 20 years old! This is verified by Dr Erick Greene from the Montana Osprey Project. I have a feeling it's possible she's had more than 3 mates.

The first I know of was from 2011 and probably before. He was killed by a Bald Eagle. The 2nd known was Stan or Stanley, depending on who wants to call him which name and Stan is short for Stanley. He did not return from migration. That was very sad for all of us who knew him.

And now for the past 3 years her mate has been Louis. Dr Greene calls him Louie.

Anyway, I am sure hoping for better years with chicks now.

[Chimega]

[Chimega]

[Rita]

Chimega: thank you for this additional information. So Iris is even older than Irma from the Estonian nest.

Do you know why the chicks are not ringed? And is there sort of a migration map for the US?

[Chimega]

Chimega: thank you for this additional information. So Iris is even older than Irma from the Estonian nest.

Do you know why the chicks are not ringed? And is there sort of a migration map for the US?

This particular nest is no longer ringed because they ringed these osprey in the past for years and years. There are many other nests that are being ringed, just not this one. Dr Greene says they are done taking blood samples for this nest and have moved on to others as they use the birds as indications of heavy metal studies and this one has been getting better and better as far as metal content in the blood stream so they are checking other areas in the state. I know they ringed Dunrovin the past few years so they are probably still part of the study.There are several different tracking sites. This one is east coast and run by Dr Rob Bierregaard. And he's a fantastic guy. I have his book, too! :)

http://www.ospreytrax.com/OspreyMainPage.html

Montana Osprey Project also has mapping and tracking pages. I'll see if I can find it

You may be able to find some of the maps on here. I have to go out for a bit but i will check further when I return.

http://hs.umt.edu/osprey/

[Rita]

Dear Chimega: Awesome - thank you ever so much for these links -

[Chimega]

[Chimega]