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Maurice River Recollections Project
Osprey Nest Anecdotes
Buckshutem
In 1998, a natural nest that was perched on an old snag, along the Buckshutem Creek, collapsed of its own weight. This was a great example of the birds leading us to exactly where they wished to be housed. The nest failed in 2007 and '08; at times, it appears the female may not have a mate. I must say her disposition is admirable in her tenacity to sit the nest. In fact, she refuses to flush until you are very close, and she has no problem defending the nest with the same bravado. It does beg one to anthropomorphize that it might be her disposition that wards off even a date with a likely male candidate. Sadly, in 2007, we found an adult that had fledged from this nest in 2001, wrapped in fishing line and hung from a stump. The careless disposal of monofilament has been a real issue for osprey. Sometimes line simply gets snagged and is impossible to retrieve. But a certain number of species mortalities are attributed to disregard for the planet we all share. From banding and observation we can deduce that the bird was born in 2001 and returned at three years old in 2004 to play house. In 2005 and '06 it raised a family. In 2007, it ended up with a hook in its breast and hung upside down from a stump. It was a cold and frosty March day when I kayaked out to retrieve the carcass. Ice actually formed in small droplets on the bow of my craft. It is hard to describe the feeling of recovering one of the birds you banded before it was old enough to fly. You go back to look at your banding records to determine if the bird appears there. Then you discover the fragility of life and the brief time one winged denizen blessed the sky. Six years old, two broods and then simply gone. In 2007 the nest had one lone occupant. It was a sad vigil as it called to each osprey that passed. But nature has a way of healing lonely hearts, and in 2008 the nest raised three chicks.
Fishing hook embedded in chest
Monofilament entangled in talons
Author holds up chick for photo op
Closest River Reach: Somes Buckshutem Creek http://www.cumauriceriver.org/reaches/pg/narratives.cfm?sku=18
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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.