Osprey Summer Season Draws To A Close - Alum Creek Res.

E-mail & photo from Jim Martin:

Fellow Naturalists and Observers:

The Osprey's Summering Season is drawing to a close, right on schedule. Mr(s) Tuttle and Phillips predicted that September 15th would be the approximate date that the Osprey would begin their journey to the Amazon River in Brazil. Turns out that was a very accurate prediction. The last two Osprey, the Transmitting Male (TM) and one of it's two youngsters were the last to be observed at Platform #1 on Hogback Rd, Alum Creek Reservoir. The five Osprey from Platform #4 have been gone from the site for about two week, as were the Female and other Youngster from Platform #1. The breeding season was a real success as the two breeding pair produced five babies, all of which fledged. The was one unhatched egg on platform #1 - Dick Phillips says that this is not an unusual occurrence.

The attached Alum Creek sunrise photo shows the water level surrounding platform #1 - below Winter Draw-down levels. This left the TM Osprey with limited nearby fishing territory. We often observed him returning from afar with a meal for the "begging" youngster. Perhaps of a minor concern, we never observed this last youngster fish on it's own.

Once Dave Sherman from ODNR begins sending the satellite telemetry data, I'll send out a quick status report of the Male's location/dates. The trip to Brazil will be about 3,500 miles from Central Ohio.

Best Wishes, Jim Martin.