My Osprey nest assignment is here. I got two, but I am claiming a third (A platform/perch that I discovered on my morning birding sojourns). I went to look for them – at first couldn’t find the nest in Avondale, which is odd because I bird there every day. Turns out it is tucked away in a cove I can’t see well from my regular Avondale Territory, so I stake it out from the Watch Hill Boat Yard (at least until they tell me I can’t). I am armed with my Osprey Monitor badge and car placard, so hopefully they will be supportive. It is a mature nest, although there were no chicks successfully fledged there last year. My second nest is on the Pee Wee Football field, a bit of a drive, but not bad. Problem is the nest is identified as being on a light pole – but there is nary a nest there. Chances are someone, repairing the lights or changing a bulb, knocked it down. This was a successful nest (chicks actually fledged) last year – but if this couple comes back it is a complete rebuild. My fellow monitors tell me that happens often, but we’re still waiting. The third potential nest is a pristine platform with two perches on the side, clearly constructed to attract nesting Ospreys. It is new this year and the program didn’t assign it because it is new. Birds are creatures of habit, like me, and as perfect as it seems it might not strike their fancy. I will watch and report on it anyway. Because it is there.
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