May 15, 2005
Building Osprey Platforms
In the previous log post we mentioned that there are two common types of osprey platforms -- water platforms and land platforms.
Some people are surprised to learn that ospreys will raise a family in an artificial nest. Unlike eagles, ospreys are a little more flexible when it comes to choosing a nesting location. Also, as coastal development has greatly reduced the number of natural nesting sites available to ospreys, the raptors have been forced to be more creative when looking for a place to raise their families.
For some purists, the idea of artificial nests seems wrong, but the fact is that platforms have played a vital role in the comeback of the osprey since the banning of the pesticide DDT. Reviving osprey numbers would not have been accomplished so successfully had artificial nesting sites not been available on the crowded coasts. Osprey expert Alan Poole states that, "The great majority of coastal osprey nests today are on artificial sites. On the New England coast between New York and Boston, it's close to 100 percent." Since humans aren't going away anytime soon, it's ultimately good for the osprey as a species that they are so willing to accommodate our intrusion into their traditional home areas and are willing to nest on structures that we've designed.
Below are two sets of photos -- sent in by two of our talented cam watchers -- that illustrate the different styles of platforms that you can see at Blackwater Refuge. The first two photos show a water platform, which is relatively low, since land predators are not a factor out in the river. Click on the thumbnail photos for a larger version:
 |
 |
In the next two photos you can see views of our Osprey Cam land platform. As you can tell from the photos, this platform is very high in the air, as ospreys on land like being in the highest structure in the general area, so they can watch for predators from all directions. Note that the arm sticking off the platform in these photos is to hold our camera and wouldn't be needed on an average platform.
 |
 |
The only problem with ospreys nesting on human-made structures is that the raptors sometimes choose a nest site that was not meant for birds, such as on a chimney, on a utility pole, or on a channel marker. Sometimes these choices are so dangerous that they lead to the death of the parents or the chicks. To prevent this from happening, many individuals who live near osprey-friendly waters build their own osprey platforms to provide additional housing for the birds.
Ospreys are normally loyal to their nesting sites, so once an osprey pair adopts a platform, there's a good chance the ospreys will return each nesting season. Platform designs usually consist of a platform atop a pole or tripod. Sometimes platforms are also placed on topless trees. Any new platform should be in place by late January or early February -- before the nesting season begins (note that the start of the season can vary depending on where you live).
Below are several websites that provide tips and plans for building your own osprey platform. The staff and volunteers at Blackwater Refuge don't provide written plans nor do we build platforms off the Refuge property, but if you have a specific question about platforms and it's not answered on these websites, feel free to write us using our contact page.
Osprey Platform Links:
- Citizens United to Protect Maurice River
- Ospreys.com
- Roanoke Wildlife Rescue
- University of Minnesota Raptor Center
- Building Nesting Platforms for Ospreys -- Ontario Landowner Resource Centre PDF file (215KB)
Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster