And now there are two!

[Pauli Driver-Smith]

There is another problem, though. They brought in some tangled bungee cords. It is hanging from the side of the platform. I think the hook on one end is attached to the top of the platform.

I had a lot of trees limbs come down in the storm, so I asked the tree trimmer if while he has his bucket crane here could he unhook it. He said that his license won't allow it because they are predatory birds. I thought that only mattered once they start nesting, not before they lay any eggs? I don't know if they are even going to nest this year. They haven't made a lot of progress on their nest yet, and it is getting rather late.

What do you all think? Do you know anyone in the Mead area with a cherry picker that can grab the bungee cord?

Pauli Smith

Highlandlake/Mead, Weld County, CO.

[Pauli Driver-Smith]

I shouldn't have worried. A strong wind came up last night and detached and blew the cords away. One Osprey was on the perch and the other was circling around above and over the lake. I heard my first Osprey call this morning.

Pauli Smith

Highlandlake/Mead, Weld County

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From: cob...@googlegroups.com <cob...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyho...@msn.com>
Sent: Friday, May 8, 2026 4:55 PM
To: cobirds <cob...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] And now there are two!

 

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[Pauli Driver-Smith]

I'm not getting anything done these days except watch the nest. I can't see it from my house, so I have to walk out across from my tree line to my field to see any action. The female was busy today.

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From: Kirstin C. <kirst...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 10:22 AM
To: Driver-Smith Pauli <hollyho...@msn.com>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: And now there are two!

That's so interesting! It sure seems like a hopeful, positive sign that they are placing sticks and "treasured trash" on your platform.  If they do nest there this year, you may not get anything done, because you'll have your binoculars trained on that nest all day long.  I know this from experience--I installed a kestrel nest box, equipped with a 24/7 nest camera, and I have a hard time doing anything besides watching tiny kestrel chicks being fed. 

Glad the bungees are gone!

Best,

Kirstin Chapman

Arvada

Sent from my iPad

On May 11, 2026, at 9:48 AM, Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyho...@msn.com> wrote:



They seem to be very particular about their architecture of their new home. Only the best sticks and junk will do. Slow but steady progress. Maybe they are just playing at housekeeping this year in prep for next. 🙂

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From: Kirstin C. <kirst...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 9:30 AM
To: Driver-Smith Pauli <hollyho...@msn.com>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Re: And now there are two!

 

Whew!  Great news. 

Sent from my iPad

On May 10, 2026, at 12:47 PM, Pauli Driver-Smith <hollyho...@msn.com> wrote:



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[M T]

Hello,

Raptors are federally protected and once the birds are present at a nest, cleaning activities will have to wait until the birds disperse in late summer/early fall. Osprey are notorious collectors of various types of debris and are exceptionally fond of discarded bailing twine. Many of these materials are entanglement hazards and will accumulate over the season, so now would be a great time to come up with a maintenance plan for fall/winter in order to remove accumulated debris.

Michael C. Tincher

Loveland, CO.

[Pauli Driver-Smith]

Great advice! I’m learning so much about ospreys. 

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: cob...@googlegroups.com <cob...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of M T <raptord...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 7:48:29 AM
To: Colorado Birds <cob...@googlegroups.com>

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[Pauli Driver-Smith]

The nest building is progressing, and today, both were circling the lake looking for lunch. The female caught a fish. I didn't see the male catch anything. I hope she shared. Sorry if I am boring everyone, but I haven't been this excited in ages.

In case not everyone knows, the surface rights to the lake are now owned by Mead. It is open to the public, but no motorized vehicles past the park parking lot. Right now, because of the drought, the lake is at its natural level. Even though it is #7 in seniority, it doesn't look like we are going to get any more water this year, or if we do, the lake will not be filled. The lake itself is spring fed. It was enlarged in the late 1870s to accommodate more water for irrigation, but it always had some natural water in it. What is there can't be taken out for irrigation so the farmers are hurting, but the wildlife is happy. Right now, people can walk all the way around the lake including have access to the wooded, virgin land on the west shore, where the springs come up out of the ground.

Pauli Smith

Highlandlake/Mead, Weld County.

[John Rawinski]

Similar to your situation was the osprey nest here in the San Luis Valley where baling twine invariably ends up in the nest, creating a potential hazard. A trim is almost needed periodically. Our local utility companies have been very responsive. I would contact them and USFW service as well and see what they can come up with if it happens again. 

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO