An osprey (Pandion haliaetus) carefully picks up a stick before dropping it on the nest below the frame.
Southeast DC is in the background.
Tags: city of alexandria virginia old town windmill hill park potomac river osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey birds nature raptor SLB-nest-building dcist urban nature ford's landing nest
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An aggressive herring gull (Larus argentatus) chases the male osprey (Pandion haliaetus) as he searches for sticks for the nest. Every time one of the ospreys took off, this overheated gull would motor after it.
Tags: city of alexandria virginia old town windmill hill park potomac river osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey birds nature raptor herring gull Larus argentatus seagull dcist ford's landing nest
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The Windmill Hill ospreys are busy rebuilding the nest for their upcoming brood. Hopefully they'll have some chicks to watch later this spring!
Tags: city of alexandria virginia old town windmill hill park potomac river osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey birds nature raptor SLB-nest-building dcist urban nature ford's landing nest
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Ospreys have returned to the tidal Potomac, a sure sign of spring! My first sightings this year were today at Belle Haven and at Windmill Hill Park, where this one was carrying sticks to the nest. I believe this pair has been back for a few days already.
Tags: city of alexandria virginia old town windmill hill park potomac river osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey birds nature raptor SLB-nest-building dcist ford's landing nest
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Between nest-building trips, the ospreys find time to satisfy their other primal urges.
I guess this makes it easier to try to identify the male and female.
(replaced old shot with this zoomed-in version)
Tags: city of alexandria virginia old town windmill hill park potomac river osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey birds nature raptor SLB-mating dcist urban nature osprey sex ford's landing nest
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