Why is our nesting platform empty?

[Linda]

We've had an osprey platform in our cranberry bog for 2 years now and
have yet to have an osprey move in. We are less than one mile from the
ocean. What are we doing wrong and how can we attract them to the
platform?

[Arthur Liles]

I went for three years before a mating pair made a nest on my then new platform. Some people will put a dozen sticks on the platform and others try putting sticks on a nearby pier. Hopefully as the osprey population continues to increase you will get a new mating pair interested in your platform in the Spring. Is your platform over a body of the water where surface fish are available and are there other ospreys in the area, but no closer than 100 or so yards? Are there other predators in the area ie: raccoons, owls, bald eagles? If all else fails go to West Marine and buy yourself an expensive boat windvane, install it on your platform and it is a sure bet that an osprey will roost on it. Arthur

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[Linda Gorham]

There are other osprey pairs in the area but the closest is at least a 1/2 mile away. We are near a harbor and the ocean so I think we're okay for the fish population. We saw an owl in the area once about a year ago but haven't seen it since. I'm concerned that it's the owl who's scaring away our potential nesters. Fond as I am of boat wind vanes, they aren't quite as charming as an osprey pair!

 

Thanks for writing back. It's only been two years so I won't give up on them yet!

[David Erskine]

Here in Scotland we have now a healthy and growing population,  we have numberous colonies in various areas, however the recognised start date for Ospreys in Scotland  was 1954.  with a very slow increase in the population for around 12 years before numbers started to show areal increase.    They are tolerant of people and a certain amount of disturbance  though it has to be regular and non alarmist and a good distance away from the clatter. It depends alot on the individual bird. If they are used to that  then tolerance seems to be good if not then not so good    There are a number of nests on  platforms mainly to increase the colony population and also encourage new colonies elsewhere.They really need something to see.     Most are occupied though not and some reasonably  quickly,some totally articiall and a number on a suitble tree,Scots Pine being seeming favoured here. If you have a fledgling population then there may not be enough male and female birds to make a pair though possible there my be single birds in the area.     These platforms need to be high enough to withstand high water and storm conditions and in open areas away from obsticals  also with a conveniant separate perch for him to eat his fish before giving it to her  reasonably close to the nest . If the area is big and depending on  the number of birds around then they maybe spoilt for choice. also the female might look for different perch for her  dinner as well. easy to make the pole vermin proof   with something around the underside of the nest  They know about owls and bald eagles, and intruding ospreys.  etc etc thats why the female stays with the nest through the season. . A full nest on the platform might be an enticement for a bird to stop, possibly a second  platform  in the area would be something to consider as an alternative residence,bit higher lower, and a good distance from the original, though all that said they can build in some extraordinary sites and structures.     N.B. I am by no means an Osprey expert, only seriously interested. well read and observant watcher    Patience and best of luck          --- On Mon, 5/7/10, Linda Gorham <lbgo...@comcast.net> wrote:

[Linda Gorham]

Our platform is in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There are a few others nearby (with a few mile radius) and the ocean is about 1/2 mile from the platform. It's on the top of an old telephone pole in the middle of an oold cranberry bog. We did build a perch and there's a big platform for it. I am thinking I will need to throw some sticks up there to entice them (or maybe some dead fish)!

 

Thanks for writing back to me! I am hopeful for next year!

[Arthur Liles]

I do not believe putting dead fish on the platform will work. They like to catch their own. It may now be  too late to attract a mating pair as that generally occurs in March and April.  Is there a tall tree nearby 300-500 feet as ospreys will spend time there to protect the nest and eat fish? Arthur

[Linda Gorham]

There are tall trees nearby though I don't know if they are that tall. I realize we're too late to have ospreys this year but am hoping to do something to attract them for next spring. It's probably a good thing that dead fish won't work as I have no idea how I would get them up there! I'll focus on getting a few sticks up there instead. Thank you!

[Arthur Liles]

I don't think the height is too important. Ospreys in particular like to have a perch where they can watch and protect the nest. While the female is incubating the eggs, the male will want some place to take the fish where he can consume the head first before taking the remainder to the nest. When not fishing the male will be perched ready to defend the nest when needed. Two years ago my nesting pair were unsuccessful in having the eggs hatch. The female gave up the nest, but both pair hung around usually in a nearby pine tree or an abandoned pier in order to protect their nest and consume their catch. Unfortunately in August prior to beginning the migration South, during a thunder storm the female was perched in the nest and a lightening strike hit the nest. I guess it was the male that returned in March of this year and it appears that he found a new mate, but they were not able lay any eggs. At least twice a day I see one or both ospreys on the platform for a short period and have noticed what seems to be additional sticks on the platform. They continue to perch in the nearby tree or pier to consume fish or I guess to defend their ownership of the nest.

 

Instead of trying to put sticks up on the platform next Spring, trying leaving a pile of 10-15 sticks 18"-24" long within 25-50 feet from the platform. Good luck, Arthur

[Linda Gorham]

These are excellent tips! Thanks so much for the information. We have plenty of sticks that we can leave nearby. I may also see what I can do to enhance the surroundings to add a perch nearby.

 

Sorry to hear about the lightening strike. What a horrible freak accident and so sad.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

Linda

[osprey83 Freshwater Bay]

 Someone has logged into my account and this is spam can u notify the ospreyworld google group.

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Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 17:17:55 -0400

Subject: Re: Why is our nesting platform empty?

From: alil...@gmail.com
To: ospre...@googlegroups.com

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[osprey83 Freshwater Bay]

Someone has gotten my account by mistake,this is a false message,please delete this and never reply to this user name until i fix the problem
 

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Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:32:31 +0000
From: lbgo...@comcast.net