The first confirmed sighting of an osprey from the Museum webcam was on March 20, 2024.
A female osprey lands on the nest at Middle Farms during the early afternoon of March 20, 2024.
The Museum received reports of osprey sightings at the Middle Farms nest from March 20th and 23rd. We have since confirmed the first landing on the nest this season was by a female osprey around 1:14 pm on March 20, 2024. The initial visit, lasted about 5 minutes, with a return visit shortly thereafter that lasted approximately 20 minutes. We observed quiet chirping and minor nest tending during these brief visits the first day.
March 23rd included more nest activity, beginning with a brief early morning visit to the nest around 6:40 am, followed soon after by a female landing on the nest at around 7:10 am – squawking loudly and defending the nest. This extended stay lasted more than 2 hours.
A special thanks to Richard Marshall and another anonymous bird watcher for sharing their sightings with us! We look forward to another season of osprey watching on Fishers Island.
The video clips below capture some of the nest activities from March 20th and 23rd.
MARCH 20, 2024: A female osprey visits the nest at Middle Farms.
MARCH 20, 2024: A second visit to the nest by the female osprey, soon after the first.
MARCH 23, 2024: An early morning visit to the nest.
MARCH 23, 2024: A female osprey defends the nest at Middle Farms.
MARCH 23, 2024: Video documentation of one of the reported sightings.
MARCH 23, 2024: Video documentation of a reported sighting by Richard Marshall.