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Maurice River Recollections Project
Osprey Nest Anecdotes
Zirbser
This platform was erected in 2002. To get this nest in place we bribed my nephew and his friends with a free waterskiing lesson in trade for some muscle. I recall that when we first put up this nest a male bird took to it immediately. Most nesting platforms had already begun the process of raising young. This lonely male made quite a spectacle of himself for about three days. Each time another osprey passed over, it lowered its head, raised its hackles, and put out its wings in a menacing fashion to announce that he was claiming this nest. The comedy was that the other pairs had no interest, having already established their territory. The following season a mate gave this bird something to squawk about. The nest does not bring to mind any truly unusual stories but it recalls some rather usual stories. We have been erecting osprey nests since 1985 and we have put up about 80 platforms and made a couple of dozen for other organizations to erect. It is very difficult not to have a few items end up in the drink. Apparently, I am the queen of the butterfingers. At this nest, I lost a garden claw used for cleaning off the nest for the coming season. The water was waist high. Months later, we returned at a lower tide and naturally, I found the tool by stepping on it. Somewhere out there is a catfish with a closet filled with wrenches, sunglasses, prescription glasses, a cordless drill, a camera and it's even making calls on my cell phone. Hey, look, who was I to deny that poor whiskered beast?
Author shows osprey egg; this egg was unsuccessful
Closest River Reach: Mud Haul http://www.cumauriceriver.org/reaches/pg/narratives.cfm?sku=15
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Osprey Colony Project
Introduction Welcome to Citizens United's River Recollections Project. These stories are but a few of my memories associated to osprey nesting structures along the Maurice River and its tributaries. It is part of a larger project including an interactive map of the of river reach lore, live campfire recollection events, documentaries, presentations and archives held by the organization. I believe the greatest connection that people have to a river is the sharing of their bond to it through the telling of stories. These stories are accurate accounts from my perspective the truth, as I know it. The stories are designed to give you insight into some life history of the osprey but are primarily designed to give you a flavor for being an osprey volunteer. Over 150 volunteers have been involved in the construction of the osprey platforms. Sincerely,
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If you enjoy these stories or have a love of history, you may find visiting our interactive River Reach Map, which allows you to explore cultural aspects of the Maurice River's tidal reaches, simply click on buoys to begin your voyage.