HOG ISLAND, ME~2019 - 2025

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Steve brought the 1st fish for the new lady just a few minutes ago. He mated with her last night. Rachel still has not returned from migration. :15heartbeat:

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

I think the latest date of a return from migration here was April 13th. Still time for Rachel to return, however it is quickly turning into a concern, especially for one who left with the end results of a fracture possibly similar to that of Ma Berry's. :15heartbeat:

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Hog Island Audubon Camp

Hog Island supporters, we have made a difficult decision concerning Hog
Island Audubon Camp. To keep our campers, volunteers and staff safe
during the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve decided to cancel our summer camp
programming for 2020. Thank you for your care and commitment as we work
together to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
If you would like to donate and help support Hog Island Audubon Camp operations
and staff during this time you can make a tax-deductible donation

:teehee:

Meanwhile, Steve is mating with the new gal as the sleet fell from the sky ...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Rachel has not returned from migration and she is well overdue from her latest return of April 13th. Steve has 2 gals vying for his nest now. The 1st was Lady and 2nd one is New Lady. The boat house has 3 males and 1 female that I am aware of that seem interested in that nest. No takers yet. One of those males is the same that stopped by last year and has the light spot on the back of his head.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

You can hear, but not see Steve sky dancing at about 2 hours ago on the nest cam for his Lady!

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Rachel!

Image by Poppy

kittenface · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2020 11:29 am

Has it been confirmed she has passed away?

Beth · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2020 1:34 pm

I am so sorry to hear about Rachel...

Kitten-she never returned this year to Hog Island … correct me
if I am wrong Swinwk...

kittenface · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2020 8:59 pm

Beth wrote:

I am so sorry to hear about Rachel...

Kitten-she never returned this year to Hog Island … correct me
if I am wrong Swinwk...

Oh ok I just saw the RIP candle and thought they had found her deceased.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Yes that is correct, Beth. The fracture she endured last season was a very significant injury. I suspect it was in the same area or near to where Ma Berry received her fracture, but more damage seemed to immediately be done at the time of injury than Ma's. I really doubt that Rachel was able to make it to her southern destination in migration. Yesterday was the day one of the mods at the site chose as a point if she had not returned, she probably would not return to Hog Island. I wanted to honor Rachel and not let it slip by, but trigger thoughts of the "Significance of What Her Life Made to Hog Island" and the love and respect that those of us who knew and followed her had. Will remember her always!! :15heartbeat:

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

For Steve and Lady at 1:38 pm!! Steve flew in just minutes later partially landing on top of her, causing her to rise up some. Steve had his head just right and was able to see the egg under her. He pushed his way in and has been incubating since. She tried to move him off the egg at least once to no avail. Steve continues to incubate with her standing next to him!! I think they are expecting a "Bomb Cyclone" here later today!! As I was typing this, she was able to push her way over the egg, but he pushed back and was on the egg again. So the battle for incubation duties continues ...

Would Rachel have put up with this ... NO!! :teehee:

gigi · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2020 2:00 pm

skygirlblue · **Joined:** Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:18 pm **Posts:** 64478

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Miserable weather conditions here today, but not to worry as Steve has already brought in 2 fish for Lady earlier this morning. It is very windy and wet right now. She is hanging in there. Excerpt from weather report for today:

"To add insult to injury, an intense storm will develop near New York City Friday night, moving up through New England on Saturday. The storm may develop into a bomb cyclone as it moves up through the Gulf of Maine, bringing 40-60 mph wind gusts over the Northeast."

gigi · **Posted:** Sat May 09, 2020 1:28 pm

I don't think the storm materialized - thank heavens. :biggrin:

My sister got a small amount of snow, but nothing like they originally predicted. Of course she is more inland than Hog Island.

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Lady was attacked by a GHO while she was on the nest incubating at about 3:30 am. The GHO then had it's way about the nest, but unknown if the egg is harmed. Lady did not return to the nest till about 5:00 am.Vid by Poppy:

gigi · **Posted:** Mon May 11, 2020 11:52 am

I know this is the way of the wild, but I still hate to see it happen,

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

For Steve and Lady! I assume it is still unknown if egg #1 was damaged in the attack by the GHO on Lady during the night. From Poppy's videos:

"Egg # 2 for Lady and Steve at 12:58 pm EDT - Hog Island Osprey Nest 2020 05 11"

Poppy Mod • 42 minutes ago
"How sweet! Steve was incubating egg # 1 while Lady was laying # 2! What a couple! Steve couldn't surprise us more with his dedication!"

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Well, darn it!! Lady was incubating when about 3 hours ago you could see her look from side to side and occasionally around, an osprey call in the distance, a few seconds later she stood up and flew from the nest toward the left abruptly. So far, she has not returned ...

SWINWK · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 9:41 am **Posts:** 12734

Lady did not return to the nest till 4:30 this morning and she was accompanied by Steve ... Here's the mod's report on ALL of yesterday's events:

"What a roller coaster day it was, yesterday: A GHO attacked Lady in the early morning - luckily she returned apparently unharmed to the nest about 2.5 hours later. At 12:58 pm, she laid egg # 2, as beautifully colored as the 1st one. Steve was incubating # 1 while she was in labor. That guy is beyond words! At 8:11 pm, Lady left her clutch and hasn’t returned until 4:30 am, together with Steve."

Bird Cams Around the World

HOG ISLAND, ME~2019 - 2025

Who is online