2024 Osprey Nest Live Stream - Maryland Western Shore for Old Town Home

The osprey in residence are Arthur & Marilyn.
EGG UPDATE: Marilyn and Arthur have 3 eggs in the nest. They were laid on 3/31, 4/3, and 4/5. If last year's timeline holds true and they were fertilized, they should hatch around 5/8-5/16.
Marilyn has been nesting in or near this location for more than 8 years, and in this specific nest since 2022. Marilyn's mate in 2023 and prior was Ben, but Ben failed to return in 2024 and a new courtship period began. We noticed at least 4 males competing for Marilyn's attention. A few had Federal leg bands as well, but we couldn't determine the number.
Ultimately, Marilyn chose a mate in Arthur. Arthur was the male that would bring fish to the new most frequently, and would most easily allow Marilyn to take them from him. Most of the other males brought fish but Marilyn would need to really pry them from their talons.
If you're looking to tell Arthur & Marilyn apart, look for:
Arthur - smaller, fewer speckles and more white on his chest, and darker feet.
Marilyn - Light feet, larger than Ben, more dense speckles on her chest, dark spot in her right eye.
This nest platform was constructed in March 2022 after the broken-down dock, where Marilyn's nest was previously, began to fail due to high tides and storms. The old nest was much closer to the water. You can see the old nest location in the upper left of the cam.
We constructed this platform on a piling roughly 50' from the end of our dock and about 15' above the water. Ben and Marilyn took to the nest immediately in 2022 and abandoned their old failing nest.
We had a solar wifi cam in 2022 but couldn't do a live stream. It was fun getting to know Ben & Marilyn during that time, and I began planning the cam for 2023.
During 2022 Marilyn laid 3 eggs, but their nest base may have been insufficient for proper incubation and none of the eggs hatched. However, they continued to build up their nest base until leaving in the fall.
During winter 2022-2023 a pair of bald eagles, Barbra and Captain Featherpants, took up part time residence in the nest. During this time they mostly hunted catfish and ruddy ducks, but they also continued building the nest base.
When the Osprey began returning in March 2023, the bald eagles vacated to their permanent nest about 2 miles north, and Ben & Marilyn returned.
In 2023 Marilyn's clutch was 3 eggs with the 1st around 4/1, 2nd on 4/4, and 3rd on 4/7 . All 3 eggs hatched on 5/10, 5/12, and 5/14 respectively. Unfortunately, chick #3 took the brunt of food insecurity and was very slow to gain size as the first 2 chicks began getting more aggressive. Chick #3 passed away the early morning of 5/30. The remaining 2 ospreylets are Pax & River, who fledged the middle of July.
Hope you enjoy the cam and egg watch!