Sponsors

With Special thanks to

And the Generous Contributions of

It's not too early to jump on board for the 2010 Osprey Project. Click here to learn how.

View the Indianola Record Herald's pictures from the hack tower placement.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Some activity on the Osprey Tower while we wait for this year's brood.

Monday, September 21, 2009

This will be the last blog of the season. I have not seen birds on the tower for the past couple of days. I would imagine they will begin their journey south this week. It will take them about 3-4 weeks to get to South America. We hope to see them back here in the late spring of 2011. A big thanks to everyone who donated time and money as well as those who have taken an interest in these amazing creatures. We will start all over again next July, but you don't have to wait that long to get involved! E-mail me to find out how!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Yesterday afternoon Bob E. (volunteer) and I went on an adventure to find osprey fishing. We started out on the south pond at Hooper. We had just arrived and spotted an osprey soaring with the vultures. He slowly headed down to the water and we lost him in the tree line. We headed over to the west pond to get a better look, but he was nowhere to be found. We stayed at the ponds for about an hour and had no luck seeing an osprey. On our way back to the nature center, we stopped at the causeway at Lake Ahquabi, not figuring on seeing anything because this is an area I check often and have never been lucky. Yesterday was different. We were in luck. One of the birds was perched in a tree taking in the sights. It was facing the wrong way and we could not get to another location to get a better angle. At 4:30 p.m. yesterday, we did see green. He came to the tower to get a fish and proceeded to come back until all the fish were gone. Only 15 minutes had lapsed. He was either setting them free or didn’t have a good hold.

With no fish on the tower this morning, I decided to feed. Green came to the tower at 9:30 a.m. and took a hunk of fish and was back again between 12:30 and 12:45 to claim the last two. I have yet to see what he is doing with the fish he takes, because he is back to soon to be eating them. More details to follow.

Saturday, September 12 to Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Things are really starting to slow down here on the tower. I cut back their fish again on Thursday. They are now only getting three fish per day. On Saturday I noticed that two out of the three fish were still on the tower and had not been touched. The same thing happened on Sunday. Monday we decided not to feed and see what happened. Orange and Green have been around and were around on Monday early in the am. They didn’t eat off the tower and were not seen the rest of the day. Today there were three vultures sitting on the tower cleaning up after the birds. I fed three pieces today and depending on the action on the tower, may not feed tomorrow. Our carp supply is almost gone and we will soon be feeding herring that the Blank Park Zoo has donated! There have been reports of birds fishing at Hooper and I am going to go check that out this afternoon.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Green and Ornage were on the tower at 7:30 a.m. and another bird, possibly Black, was seen striking the water at Hooper late this morning.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

I was in a classroom at Indianola Middle School today until 1:40 p.m., so I am not sure what the birds have been up to. I went to feed at 2:00 p.m. and there was no action at the tower or the wetland. We will see what tomorrow holds!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Today the tower was pretty quiet. Orange and another bird were on the tower at 8:15 am. I got the fish ready and headed down to the tower so I could identify the other bird. When I got there Orange had already pulled a day old fish from the tower and was over by the wetland bridge eating. The other bird was in the tree outside the tower but flew before I could see any color. I stayed at the wetland for about an hour keeping Orange company, but no one else visited. That was it for action at the tower today.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Today, the first we saw of the birds was at 11:16 a.m. Orange and Green both came to the tower at the same time and were quite vocal. They left shortly and I could hear them calling in the area. There have been vultures visiting all day. I fed today at 1:30 p.m. Orange and another bird were at the wetland. I am assuming the other bird was yellow because I could not pick up a belly color, but that is just a guess. Orange came to the tower at 2:20 p.m. and grabbed a fish.

Osprey Blog has a few days off to do some fishing on their own and will return September 8th.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Today I fed at 9:00 a.m. One of the birds was in the tree in front of the tower, but it flew away before I could ID it. No sign of anyone again until about noon. Orange, Green and Blue have been around all afternoon. Green is the only one I have seen take a fish but they are all chatting up a storm.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

This morning the 2nd and 3rd graders from the Downtown School in Des Moines helped me feed. Orange was waiting for us on the tower and flew away as we got closer. After feeding, we watched for Orange to come back. She did and sat in the tree in front of the tower. Two vultures circled and a juvenile landed on the tower and began to feed. Orange called to him but never attacked. Another osprey chased the second vulture away but we couldn’t identify which bird it was. Green came in for some fish at 1:00 and flew off with it to a tree.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

This morning Orange kept busy dive bombing a vulture on top of the tower. It was quite impressive and fun to watch. Yellow and Orange were both on the tower at 1:00 this afternoon. I fed at 2:00 and Orange was soaring around the nature center and wetland. At 3:00 she finally came in for a bite to eat. I got report yesterday that Black is fishing the South pond at Hooper!

Orange makes a strafing run at a juvenile turkey vulture on the hack tower. Video may take a moment to load and does not auto play. Roll mouse over video area to activate controls.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Yesterday the birds were fed at 3:00 pm. They had hardly touched the food that was on the tower, so we only put out 2 new pieces. This morning, Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue were around and one of them was eating on the tower. They were very vocal and tensions seemed to be high. The problem was vultures. Once the ospreys left, 2 vultures came in and took care of all of the fish on the tower. I fed today at 1:00. Orange and Blue were out and about but neither came to the tower to feed. All good signs that they are making it on their own!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Today I fed at 1:00 p.m. There were four pieces of fish left on the tower from Friday. Good sign! One bird did a fly by but I am not sure who. Two others were chasing each other up by the Ike's property. About twenty minutes after I fed, Blue buzzed over me and called, almost as if to say, “Thanks for the fish!”  He flew around for another twenty minutes before going to the tower and grabbing a hunk of fish.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Today the birds were fed at 8. Orange Green and Blue were out and about around the tower. All took fish from the tower and were content to eat in their favorite tree.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

I decided to throw a curve ball at the birds today. I switched up when they get fed. Today, everyone except for black was at the tower at 8:00 a.m. I didn’t feed until 1:00 p.m. I am hoping this will get them fishing. They are opportunistic feeders so a guaranteed meal is much better than one they have to catch. Tomorrow I will feed at 8:00 again. This weekend will be a bit different. Let me know if you are seeing them fish!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Orange and Blue were hanging out at the tower when I went to feed this morning. They did the same disappearing act as yesterday as soon as food showed up. Orange came back to the tower at 9:40 a.m. soaking wet. As it hasn’t rained here, I assume she was fishing. She grabbed a fish and headed for her favorite tree. She has been back twice since her first visit… each time taking a fish off of the tower. I think she eats on it for a while and then leaves it in a tree to fall into the water. Waster of fish! Green decided to stop by the tower at 10:30 and grab a fish. I have yet to see Yellow or Black today.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Everyone was at the tower today when I went to feed. They had been hanging out since about 7 a.m. I fed them at 8:30 and when I got down off the tower they all disappeared. At 9:30 three were back to grab fish and fly to their favorite tree. The other two are still off exploring.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The birds decided to give a show today to all who were watching. Orange was the first to take a fish. Green, Yellow and Black also came and went. Green dropped a fish in the water and came back for more. Black went to perch in the back of the wetland. Yellow was out in front on a log floating in the water, and Orange and Green in their favorite tree. They were very talkative and showy. This was a welcome display after having a hard time finding the birds yesterday. Blue has yet to show himself… maybe this afternoon.

Orange and Blue in a scrap over hacktower fish. This video file is large, will take a moment to load, and does not auto play. Roll mouse over video area to activate controls.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Today, Yellow was on perched in the dead tree next to the tower. Green was over in the bird’s favorite tree. Everyone else was nowhere to be found. After a couple of hours of searching, a bird was found perched in a tree at Ahquabi, but I could not get  color identification. Orange was back at the wetland eating a fish. All are well and their straying is normal for this stage in their life. When they are fishing successfully they will start to stray more and go explore.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

This morning four of the birds were chattering with each other and waiting for food. Blue and Orange were maneuvering over the water. They seemed to be enjoying the cool weather. The only one not accounted for was Black, who was most likely fishing.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Everyone was waiting for food at the tower this morning. Yellow and Green moved back to Lester Pond when we climbed the tower. Black, Orange and Blue stuck close. All were pouncing on food as soon as we made our exit. Green took a swim yesterday in the wetland. He seemed to be curious about what the water was about. He may attempt fishing soon.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Vultures were harassing the birds today. They held their own, but didn’t chase them away. Yellow, Orange, Green and Blue were all there holding down the tower. Black must be fishing successfully. He rarely makes an appearance and when he does, it isn’t to get food. I found Orange over at Ahquabi yesterday afternoon, perched on a tree watching the water. I thought I might be in for a treat, but she flew back to the wetland. Blue would still rather eat on top of the tower. He took a piece of fish off this morning, but dropped it over the wetland.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Blue, Green and Yellow were all near the tower this morning for feeding time. Yellow disappeared. We found him perched on a goose nest structure at Lester Pond. He was perched in fishing position. About a half hour later, right before the rain came in, Orange and Black came in from way up high. It looked like they came from the Hooper Wildlife Area just south of Lake Ahquabi. When the weather clears up, I am going to head up there and see if I can catch a peak at them fishing.

Feeding time on top of the hack tower. Video may take a moment to load and does not auto play. Roll mouse over video area to activate controls.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

We moved the camera yesterday afternoon. It is now up on top of the hack tower. This is where we feed the birds once they are out and flying. I will improve fish placement so feeding osprey are more visible. If you have not been out to see the birds, their favorite perching spot is also in range of the camera. If you look at the top left corner of the screen down where the water line is on the trees are two dead trees. They can usually be found perching there. However, Orange and Black are out gallivanting around quite often now. I have yet to find their new hang out. Blue carried a fish off of the tower today and went to eat it in a perch. That is the first time I have seen that.

Monday, August 17, 2009

I had the wonderful duty of cleaning out the inside of the tower today. It was quite messy and I am thinking about entering it with Dirty Jobs. Maybe then Mike Rowe will do it for me. All the birds are well. As soon as I was done cleaning they all made an appearance for fish. Black and Orange are around less and less. I have a feeling both are attempting fishing. If you are out and about and happen to see one of them, please drop me a line and let me know where you see them. My email address is missysmith@warrenccb.org.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Black is the only one I didn’t have my eyes on this morning. When they start fishing on their own, they tend to stray a bit farther from home. Everyone else looked good. All are hanging out at the wetland bridge.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Today they were all waiting for me. Must have been a long night. Everyone was ready for breakfast. They were either on top of the tower or in the tree next to the tower. All look to have weathered the rain well.

Friday, August 14, 2009

All of the birds are doing fine. It is so nice to walk out to the wetland bridge and see all of them perched in the trees and hear them carrying on a conversation with each other. This is by far the noisiest group I have encountered.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Blue perched on the branch in the tower at 10:00 am yesterday. We decided to lower the gate for him today so he could join the rest of the group. When we went up to drop the gate, you could see in his eyes he was going to go. Sure enough, as soon as the gate was down he took off. He is in a tree by the north side of the wetland bridge and chatting it up with his fellow tower mates. Everyone is doing well. Green and Yellow have both mastered taking fish from the tower to the perch. Orange was wet today, so I believe she is also fishing… just don’t know if she is catching.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Yellow and Green were both on the tower today when we went to feed. Yellow tried twice to take fish off of the tower to a perch, but dropped the fish in the water both times. Black was in the back of the wetland perched on a tree. He was wet! Hopefully he has been fishing. Orange also made an appearance this morning. She was up soaring with the vultures last night. A beautiful sight!  Baby Blue is still in the tower. He is flapping but not perching on the branch yet. Hopefully he will be ready by next week.

Blue getting restless. Video may take a moment to load and does not auto play. Roll mouse over video area to activate controls.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Yellow flew out of the tower when we went to put the gate back up at about 1:20 yesterday afternoon. He had a good flight and perched in a tree with Green.

This morning all the birds were in the same tree in the wetland. They stayed there for the better part of the morning. Orange and Black both went to get fish off the tower and bring back to the tree. Green was quite vocal about wanting Black to share. Yellow was more concerned about checking out the area. He would fly around for a few minutes and come back, each time heading a new direction.

Blue looks lonely in the tower all by himself. He has been flapping, and calls to the others when they fly by.

Monday, August 10, 2009

When we went to feed this morning Orange was in her favorite perch on the wetland. Black was not to be seen. We found him at Lester Pond. We dropped the gate on the tower at 10:00 am. Green flew as soon as we the gate was open. He had a good flight and settled in a dead tree between the wetland and Lake Ahquabi. Yellow seems to be content perched on the branch in the tower. Blue is still on the floor of the tower but exercising his wings a lot. We will put the gate up at 1:00 this afternoon and try again later this week if yellow hasn’t flown.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Orange and Black were both at the tower this morning when we arrived to feed. Black flew off to the wetland bridge. He seems to be more flighty. Orange flew off a bit later, fish in talon. Yellow and Green were perched inside and Blue was on the bowls. I will be dropping the gate tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. Hopefully Green and Yellow will join Black and Orange. Baby Blue is still about a week behind.

Green testing its wings. Video may take a moment to load and does not auto play. Roll mouse over video area to activate controls.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Orange and Black are at home at the wetland. They don’t stray too far from the wetland bridge. Everyone inside the tower looks good. Yellow finally decided to hit the perch today. I saw yellow perched at 2:30 p.m., but am not sure when Yellow actually hit the perch.

Friday, August 7, 2009

A rainy day for me usually means staying inside and watching TV. I believe the birds feel the same way. There has not been a lot of action. Black and Orange are perched on a tree in the wetland, making trips to the tower for food. Blue is perching on the water bowls, Green on the branch and Yellow is just hanging out. There has been a lot of flapping in the tower but Yellow has not attempted the perch. Hopefully as it clears up this afternoon they will get more active.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Now that Green has figured out how to get to the branch, the only time we see him off of it is to eat. He should be ready to join Orange and Black next week. Last night Yellow was testing her skills. She would fly from the perch on the water bowls to the ground. I thought she would attempt the branch but she had other plans.

Orange and Black enjoy perching in a dead tree on the south side of the wetland bridge. Orange brought a blue gill (one from the tower) to their tree. Black positioned next to Orange but never tried to take any fish. It is fun to watch them. They are always together.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Orange made it back to the tower at 4:00 pm yesterday afternoon. She came from the Lake Ahquabi area. Black and Orange have been together and close or on the tower ever since. Yellow, Green, and Blue call to the constantly. Everyone seemed to be content to hang out this morning. Excitement started again this afternoon. Orange carried a fish off of the tower and around the wetland. She tried to perch in a tree with no luck and ended back up on the tower twice. Then about two hours later, she did it. She was in a tree on the east end of the wetland eating her bluegill. At about 12:30 pm Green decided to attempt the stick perch in the tower and has been there ever since. He should be ready to join Black and Orange next week. Yellow will probably follow Green to the perch in the next couple of days. All in all, a day of excitement and relief.

Green mounted the branch today for the first time.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

We closed the gate on the tower at 3:00 pm yesterday. Green, Yellow, and Blue are still inside and are doing well. Black was perched back at the pond this morning when we fed. I decided to wait up and away from the tower in hopes of catching Orange coming back to feed. She is a stubborn bird and is still MIA. My guess is that she is in a tree with a lot of cover and cannot be seen easily. While waiting her out, I got to watch Black exploring his new environment. He flew all around the wetland this morning. He has a couple favorite perches in dead trees at the south end of the bridge over the wetland. At 10:00 am he found a large log floating in the water that he perched on. He would hop into the water and flap his way back up to the perch. He repeated this a couple of times. At about noon he headed to the tower for some fish. He has been up there ever since. Yellow, Green, and Blue call to him when they can see him flying around the wetland or when he is perched on top. If anyone is around the nature center or the Lake Ahquabi area and sees Orange, please call me at 515/961-6169, ext. 25 and let me know where you spotted her.

Monday, August 3, 2009

We dropped the gate today at 10:00 am. Black was out of the tower just as soon as there was enough room to fly. He had a good flight. Very strong. He ended up perching at the wetland. About 2:00 this afternoon he moved to another perch but has not been back to the tower. Orange also took flight; just a few minutes after Black left the tower. Orange headed toward Lake Ahquabi and circled around a bit. I have been trying to get my eyes on her all afternoon with no luck. She will come back to the tower when she gets hungry. We are putting the gate back up on the tower this afternoon so Yellow, Green, and Blue won’t have a chance encounter with an owl. Until tomorrow.

Black is out the gate almost before it is down (click this picture for a larger version).

Black circling back to the hack tower.

Orange came out a few minutes after black (click this picture for a larger version).

Both Orange (shown above and below) and Black flew with enthusiasm.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Green and Yellow are still comfortable on the ground. Their flapping looks good though. Blue doesn’t seem to have any interest in what the rest of the birds do. He is on his own schedule. They really enjoy the live fish that we have begun feeding them. They get about 6 live bluegill each feeding. They get excited and pounce on the live fish. I am hoping Green takes the leap and perches today.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

All of the birds are doing well today. Green and Yellow are flapping away but not trying to get to any perches yet. Green has a flying pattern the way Black did when he was flapping (before perching). He was reckless. Yellow is a bit smoother. Maybe today they will surprise me.

Friday, July 30, 2009

Today was a bit calmer for feeding. All of the birds are showing strong flapping, however Green and Yellow are still not flying. Until Saturday.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The birds are really getting anxious when we go feed. Black and Green are especially sensitive. They charge the gate. Ready to fly!  It was a pretty calm day. Yellow and Green are really showing some strong flapping and should hit the perch by the weekend.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Orange flew to the branch today! It was a smooth flight and landing. She is keeping her balance quite well and seems to be enjoying her new accomplishment. Black has been perched at the high end of the branch most of the morning and everyone else is around the water bowls on the track. Yellow made it to perch on the water bowls yesterday. It should either yellow or green to make the next attempt at the branch. You never know, though, maybe baby blue will surprise us.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Orange flew to the branch today! It was a smooth flight and landing. She is keeping her balance quite well and seems to be enjoying her new accomplishment. Black has been perched at the high end of the branch most of the morning and everyone else is around the water bowls on the track. Yellow made it to perch on the water bowls yesterday. It should either yellow or green to make the next attempt at the branch. You never know, though, maybe baby blue will surprise us.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Black learned another new trick today. Perching with a piece of food. Brave enough to get a piece of food and drag it up to the track by the water bowl. He sat there and ate for about a half hour before flying to the branch. Orange has been studying the branch perch all morning and has looked like she was going to attempt it a couple of times. Green is really exercising his wings but doesn’t seem to be interested in flying yet. Maybe this afternoon Orange will get brave.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Today everyone seemed anxious to eat. They all ate from about 9:00 to 9:30 with Green taking the cake eating until 10:00. Black was the first one done and immediately went back to the water bowl and found his favorite perch on the rim of the bowl. About a half hour later he took to wing and flew to the branch. It was fun to watch. It was a very graceful flight and he stuck the landing. Everyone else looked to Black and almost looked like they were pondering how he did that. Hopefully Orange or Green will make an attempt at the perch later this afternoon.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

This morning was pretty slow. Everyone was eating well. A lot of flapping this afternoon… then it got exciting. Black flew up to the branch! About an hour later Orange perched on top of the water bowls. I would make bets that Orange will find the branch tomorrow.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

When we went to feed today, Black and Orange were perched at the water track. Black on top of the dishes and Orange on the track. Instead of walking off of his perch, black flew down to the front of the tower. First flight! This afternoon when I logged on I noticed that Yellow and Blue have both figured out how to perch at the track too. All are perched on the track now. A day of firsts!

Friday, July 24, 2009 (Osprey cam finally operational… we hope!)

Black is the official king of the water dishes. He has figured out how to perch on the rubber edge, making him just a little bit higher than everyone else. He has been there most of the day. Orange and Green seem to be content to perch on the track.  Blue and Yellow are not at all interested in perching on the track. I spritzed them with the water system in the tower this afternoon to help them cool down. They really didn’t react to the water at all. Until Saturday!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

When I opened the door to feed today I had two surprises within hands reach. Green and Black were perched on the water pan track. Green ended up moving to the front of the tower but Black didn’t move. He was there to supervise. All of the birds look healthy and happy. Not a lot of wing flapping this morning, but they are preening away and the down is flying all around.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Cleaned the extra fish out of the tower today. Not a whole lot of fish, mainly bones. It seemed to be a lazy morning. They all ate right away after feeding, but then quit and decided to be lazy. They are all hanging out by the water dishes. Orange, Black and Green are perched on the track. Everyone else is laying down behind them trying to figure out what they are doing and how they are doing it.