Though there are still a few other Ospreys around Jug Bay (I hear one now), 
the Ospreys that nested on the platform behind our house have left.  They 
arrived at it this year on March 2, which they have always done every year 
that we live here, sometime within about 5 days of March first.  This is the 
first year I am certain of the day they left, which seems to be a harder day to 
know than the day when they arrive, but they were here every day up to and 
including Wednesday eve, and gone on Thursday eve.  It seems quite lonely 
without them here now.

We finally got some rain here this week.  It was the first time here since late 
June, and I almost posted this exciting news but had nothing bird-worthy to 
say at the time!  It was the driest summer I have ever seen, and the insects 
have been noticeably fewer.  I wonder if the birds had a hard time feeding 
young as a result?

Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD