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Maurice River Recollections Project
Osprey Nest Anecdotes
Willow Grove
This platform was put up in 1997 and was not used until nine years later, in 2006. To some degree, I think we left this nest in place because of the enthusiasm of the folks that encouraged us to put it there in the first place. The female in this nest is especially aggressive. In fact, she is the most aggressive bird that I have ever run across in 24 years. Most birds that want to scare you off repeatedly dive-bomb you from above. This bird actually flies toward you at about the level of your knees, and by the time she begins her ascent she is only six feet away from your face. Very impressive. One story is particularly ironic. In 2008, we discovered a nest at Dorchester Shipyard on top of an oyster or clam dredge, on the stern of a ship. The shipwrights warned us that this bird was especially aggressive and that they had avoided the decks of this vessel throughout the breeding season. We embarked to band the chicks. Having been impressed by the worker?s stories I donned a hard hat, something I had never bothered to do before. The workers had a lift alongside the boat to ascend the heights. When we had reached a level with the nest the mother showed up for what I assumed was a match of nerves. But she never once came any closer than 30? from me. I tried not to diminish the workers? experience and was grateful for their prowess with the lift. It was a great deal of fun to share the banding experience with others up there. Normally the bander is solo on a ladder, so maybe it was the number of intruders that gave the mother pause… or maybe she just did not seem as aggressive to a person who has dealt with numerous osprey. We left the Dorchester Shipyard site and headed to Willow Grove Lake. We took a nice lazy paddle in a canoe to the nesting site, totally secure in what we were about, only to find that I had worn the hard hat for the wrong osprey. But isn't that often the way life seems to unfold? We know about being prepared - we simply are a little off base on various occasions.
Bird builds on clam dredge at Dorchester shipyard
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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.