A live chat feature of the Golden Gate Audubon Society's first live Osprey nest camera in Richmond is being turned off until March since a chick hatched there is likely on its own, the society's officials said Friday.
A chick named Rivet fledged in early July and hasn't been seen at the nest on a crane on the Richmond shoreline since about Aug. 20 so parents Rosie and Richmond are officially empty nesters.
For the spring and summer Rosie and Richmond have not only been new parents but celebrities at the center of the San Francisco Bay Area's first live Osprey nest cam.
"This has been an awe-inspiring experience," Golden Gate Audubon Society executive director Cindy Margulis said in a statement.
"Tens of thousands of people enjoyed an unprecedented intimate view of this magnificent Osprey family in all its marvels and drama."
Rosie and Richmond fledged two chicks, but unfortunately the second and older one named Whirley died from injuries suffered during a foray into San Francisco Bay.
For many people, the live nest camera was an educational experience as teachers were able to download free science plans related to the birds and use them to teach their students.
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Other people spent time together sharing stories, jokes, art and even music and poetry related to the Ospreys at Riggers Loft Wine Co.
Audubon officials said this year's nesting season was full of drama with a contest to name the two chicks and the hatching of Rivet on Mother's Day.
Rivet is not wearing geo-tracking equipment, but Audubon officials said she's probably exploring and fishing for herself.
However, Rivet has been banded so Audubon officials may learn of Rivet's movements if people report an Osprey with a blue-colored leg band marked with a "Z" over an "R" to the United States Geological Survey Bird Banding Laboratory.
Meanwhile, Rosie and Richmond have been stopping by the nest to spend time together and maintain the nest before migrating for the winter.
The two cameras at the nest will operate throughout the fall and winter so residents and visitors can get gorgeous views of the bay, see other birds that visit the nest and Rosie and Richmond or other Ospreys on their way south.
