The ospreys have returned to Cyr-de-Lasalle Park in 51勛圖厙TV.
According to Vankleek Hill and District Nature Society Vice President Christine Trudeau, the birds of prey have started rebuilding their nests atop the baseball field light poles at the park by the Ottawa River. The previous nest was removed after the ospreys left the nest last year so the ballpark lights could be replaced.
On April 15, courtship feeding was observed on another light pole, where the male seen on the left gave his mate a fish. Females (all raptors) are larger than males and have a necklace of short dark streaking on the upper breast.
Trudeau said that as of Saturday, April 19, nest building was underway and both ospreys had added more branches. They started to insert smaller branches and twigs and the female was picking clumps of grass. These clumps prevent the eggs from falling through the branches. Bonding was evident as they cuddled in the nest and on the light. Allopreening (preening each other) was observed and is a form of courtship behaviour and greeting ritual.
What was a total surprise was the arrival of another male!! Trudeau said.
The encounter was a calm one but our resident male copulated quickly with his mate, left her and pursued his rival. The chase was a quiet one with no aerial displays. He was gone for 42 minutes and during this time the female called, she added.
Trudeau said the remainder of the afternoon on April 19 for the ospreys was devoted to nest building, copulation and cuddling.
