Ospreys everywhere.
A couple of weeks ago, I took some time to scout around Nickajack Lake for osprey nests, finding a half-dozen or so. The osprey pictured above sat on a high voltage tower just below the north end of Nickajack Dam, watching over a nest higher up on the tower that's been in use for several years now.
These rock piles with markers, set on top of an old railroad bed that traverses the lake, are a favorite place for ospreys to nest. This one was just off the peninsula in the Rarity development. From the spot I took this photo, I could see two more nests on other rock piles. I think they're also nesting on one between the I-24 and Hwy. 41 bridges. And I found one visible from the boat ramp near the old Hales Bar powerhouse.
Someone (I've been unable to determine who) placed this osprey nesting platform on a pole by the west end of the new Hwy. 41 bridge, I'm guessing to persuade them not to use the old bridge again, which is in the process of being dismantled. It appears ospreys started building a nest there, but I haven't seen them on it lately.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch.
Since last month's post, where I expressed frustration at the lack of nesting birds in the yard, there has been some improvement in the situation. A robin built a nest in a shrub in the front yard, laying four blue eggs (above). For two or more weeks she sat on the nest, three of the eggs hatching yesterday.
One egg still hasn't hatched, so I'm not sure if it's a bag egg or just running late.
At the other side of the front yard, this mourning dove has been sitting on a nest in a poison ivy vine on the fence for some time now.
You may recall that in last month's report, I was unsure of just what was going on with brown-headed nuthatches in a hole in a tall tree stump. Since then, I've confirmed that they did have babies in the hole. One day, I found an adult nuthatch dead in the street. I was concerned as to what this meant for the babies, but afterward saw an adult tending to them. But currently, there seems to be no occupants in the stump, so I'm unsure if the young birds have simply left the nest or if something else happened.
Other animals.
Meanwhile, gray squirrels and chipmunks are overrunning the place.
There are a number of squirrel nests high in trees around the yard. I'm unsure just how many are currently in use.
One night, I spotted this tree frog clinging to the back door.
See last month's Birding with Bob post here.
Check back next month for more birding adventures.
Bob Butters (All photos: Bob Butters)