And Now There Are Three - Bay The Osprey Lays Third Egg In Island Beach State Park Nest

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK - Will Bay the osprey lay one more egg on her nest at Island Beach State Park, which would tie the banner year of 2014, when four osprey chicks hatched?

Only time will tell. But she recently upped the number of eggs to three.

Bay and her mate Bandit, returned to their nest back in late March, after a long journey from central or South America. Bay laid her second egg a few days ago.

You can watch it all unfold at the Pete McClain osprey cam. Although Bay is on the nest the majority of the time, Bandit takes his turns too, in addition to bringing fish to Bay.

Bay has spend some time trying to remove a forest-green garbage bag from the nest. At times the eggs are covered by the bag.

How many eggs Bay will lay this year is anyone's guess. But she is rapidly approaching the banner year of 2013. Four fledglings emerged from four eggs and all four survived.

The story was different in 2014, when the male bird disappeared. But Bandit appeared shortly after and Bay accepted him. They've been together ever since.

Osprey have typically returned to Island Beach in late March, after spending the winter in South America.And you can watch the whole process unfold on the Pete McClain Osprey Cam.

It costs roughly $5,000 a year to maintain the camera and its infrastructure, an expensive venture.
Unfortunately, the infrared that allows night viewing is out. Donations for the camera system allows the Friends of Island Beach State Park to keep the camera running. If you enjoy watching Bay and Bandit and eventually their chicks, please consider making a donation.

You can view the osprey cam here: https://www.friendsofibsp.org/live-cams/osprey-cam/

Please consider making a donation to keep the cam operating here: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofIslandBeach/…/18015191938/
Image: Friends of Island Beach State Park