The Osprey Flyer, XXX, October Edition 2025

Our Osprey Garden

Greetings

 Dr. Jane Goodall

The Virginia Osprey Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. While we grieve this loss, her words continue to guide us: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” We believe in our hearts that each of us wants what is best for our environment, for the ospreys we cherish, and for all wildlife. When we come together, our small actions grow into something powerful — a positive impact that truly makes a difference.

I want to apologize for the lapse in newsletters.  Sometimes life gets in the way but we must continue to move forward. 

I am excited to feature our guest author for this month, Dorothy Auld.  For those that follow our nest cam, you may know that Dorothy is our moderator extraordinaire!  Dorothy lives in the UK and calls the shots on the nest cam.  She is really an amazing and dedicated citizen scientist, recording everything she sees.  She is a friend of the Osprey and our friend as well!  Thank you, Dorothy!

"When Joanie first asked me to be a moderator on the live cam I felt so honoured and apprehensive at the same time as I didn't think I would be good enough.  I have never been a moderator before, any knowledge learned is from watching other live cams over the years so had an understanding of how things ran. 

Majority of people that watch these cams also watch others and pop in frequently just asking if fish has been brought, how many eggs and when they were laid, when is hatch date or have the lil ones been fed so those are notes that I keep. 

Any other generalised information on Osprey is found easily enough and you can direct someone to this or give them a link if you have it handy.  There is always someone in chat that knows the answer to most questions whether it be myself, another chatter or Joanie herself. This year I found myself keeping notes on the number of sticks that had been brought in and, the different types of trash which were quite amusing at times.  I even noted how many times they had copulated on cam before all eggs were laid which was far less than experts say!!  Most importantly I kept a note of the number of fish being brought in which sadly declined very early in the season this year making it the second year of nest failure. 

I think it is quite important to be able to identify your couple as well which can be challenging at times at the beginning of season .  Lots of photos have been taken from different angles to make my life easier in readiness for next year when hopefully both David and Lily will return.  Just love them especially David and his antics.

It is an honour and privilege to be a moderator on this site, not as daunting as I thought.  I have so enjoyed getting to know Joanie who is an absolute star and fellow chatters alike."

By Dorothy Auld

Until next month!

Dates to Remember

Free Event

Monarch Mania

– October 4, 2025 11 am to 2 pm  Cobb Island Fire Dept., MD

This is a free Event

Dr Bryan Watts, Presents - The Impact of Food Stress on the Chesapeake Bay Ospreys

November 14, 2025, 2:30 pm

 Ice House Brewery and Kitchen, 119 Monroe Bay Ave. Colonial Beach VA

This is a free event! 

 

“SAVE THE DATE”

8^th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach

April 11, 2026