By: Charlie Eileen, Board Member, Back Bay NWR Society
Monday January 15th, 2024 was the perfect day for this season’s first osprey nesting platform survey; winds were calm, water very high and temperatures in the mid 40’s. The purpose of this survey was to assess the need for and accomplish any structural repairs necessary and to add a few sticks where needed to make the platforms more inviting to returning osprey couples.
Our team this year, responding on very short notice as such perfect days are difficult at best to forecast this time of year, consisted of John Spallone, Cheryl Caloras, Gabe Olszak, and myself. We left my house at about noon and returned around 3:00 pm.
Owing to perfect weather conditions, especially the high water, we were able to survey all our platforms including those deep into Bush Island Cove and Wash Flats. Results of the survey are included in the attached updated data sheet. Two of the platforms required minor structural repair, a couple platforms may need replacing within the next few years, and 4 of the platforms had evidence of activity during the 2023 season.
According to our ‘osprey whisperer’ the osprey should start arriving mid-February. Our next survey would be in the late May/early April timeframe to check for the presence of activity including counting eggs and hatchlings. Following that, when the hatchlings are roughly 30-40 days old, the survey team would return to band the chicks; both surveys are subject to many variables, we will keep you posted.
A special thanks to John, Cheryl, and Gabe for helping make this season’s first survey successful.
Osprey Nesting Platform Survey
Posted: February 11, 2024 by Back Bay NWR Society
By: Charlie Eileen, Board Member, Back Bay NWR Society
Monday January 15th, 2024 was the perfect day for this season’s first osprey nesting platform survey; winds were calm, water very high and temperatures in the mid 40’s. The purpose of this survey was to assess the need for and accomplish any structural repairs necessary and to add a few sticks where needed to make the platforms more inviting to returning osprey couples.
Our team this year, responding on very short notice as such perfect days are difficult at best to forecast this time of year, consisted of John Spallone, Cheryl Caloras, Gabe Olszak, and myself. We left my house at about noon and returned around 3:00 pm.
Owing to perfect weather conditions, especially the high water, we were able to survey all our platforms including those deep into Bush Island Cove and Wash Flats. Results of the survey are included in the attached updated data sheet. Two of the platforms required minor structural repair, a couple platforms may need replacing within the next few years, and 4 of the platforms had evidence of activity during the 2023 season.
According to our ‘osprey whisperer’ the osprey should start arriving mid-February. Our next survey would be in the late May/early April timeframe to check for the presence of activity including counting eggs and hatchlings. Following that, when the hatchlings are roughly 30-40 days old, the survey team would return to band the chicks; both surveys are subject to many variables, we will keep you posted.
A special thanks to John, Cheryl, and Gabe for helping make this season’s first survey successful.
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