In March 2016 the Hernando Audubon Society with help from Withlacoochee Electric erected a 40 foot osprey perch at Linda Pederson Park. The perch is intended for ospreys to use as a nesting site. Linda Vanderveen and Dennis Capaz from the Hernando Audubon were huge supporters of this project. In this article they detail how the osprey perch came to be and some interesting facts about this graceful bird of prey.
OSPREY FACTS
Ospreys are found by water, including ponds, lakes, rivers, or coastal areas. They are impressive with their 5-6 foot wingspan.
They may be confused with eagles, but they are smaller, and have white underparts and a black eyestripe. Their diet consists of 99% fish.
They snatch fish from the water’s surface. The undersides of their claws have spines for holding on to fish. If you watch, you will see them orient the fish headfirst to make them streamlined when flying. Ospreys use tall trees for nesting, but they will often build a nest on telephone poles, channel markers, towers, and other structures.
Osprey’s numbers declined back when DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a colorless, crystalline, tasteless, and almost odorless organochlorine known for its insecticidal properties and environmental impacts) was used. Chemical insecticides thinned the eggshells for many birds. Ospreys have rebounded in most areas. Providing nesting platforms that are sturdy help make nesting successful. Heavy winds and storms can destroy a nest.
Most ospreys in northern states migrate in the winter. Some of those migrants pass through Florida on the way to Central and South America. But also a large population stays and breeds in Florida.
Our Florida ospreys start nesting in late December through late February. Usually a pair will have 3 eggs. It takes the young birds several weeks to mature. They begin to leave the nest by late spring or early summer. A nesting pair often uses a nest several times. We also see Great horned owls using osprey nests for their own.
OUR PROJECT- THE PLATFORM
Dennis Capaz approached Hernando Audubon with this idea of providing a nesting platform. He noticed there were no artificial nesting platforms in Hernando County. Hernando Audubon liked the idea. We didn’t see telephone poles being used either, so we decided to try out an artificial nesting platform to promote Osprey nesting. In other Florida counties we had seen these platforms getting heavy use.
At first we thought we would add the platform to a pole being used. Withlacoochee River Electric does not allow this at all. They don’t want any interference with their lines. This was a problem because we now needed property for a pole. We went to the County and we were put in touch the parks and recreation department and they were eager to work with us.
Hernando Audubon society agreed to pay for the materials and construction. We researched the internet for a good platform, and found good ideas from the The International Osprey Foundation.
Our platform was all metal. This platform could withstand Florida sun and rain. We contacted a local metalworker, Kerry Dignan, who was pleased to help us build a platform.
But now, how do we get the platform high enough? We talked to David Gonzalez with the Withlacoochee Electric Company. His company promised us a “retired” pole, and the men and truck to erect it. This was a bit tricky, as the platform had to be connected right before the pole went up. The pole was brought in, and the platform was attached in 20 minutes. Then, up it went, close to the viewing platform where visitors could watch the birds.
HOW WE CHOSE THE PLATFORM LOCATION
We chose the Linda Pederson Park because it was near a river and coastal waters. The Hernando Parks and Recreation people were very helpful, and met with us to choose a site.
Bayport and Pine Island didn’t have much empty space. They also get heavy traffic. Additionally, WREC needed room for a large truck.
Linda Pederson Park had several options. We chose the area by the platform and river. WREC approved of this site. We thought our site would allow people to see and perhaps photograph the ospreys. This would help public awareness. However, the tower was damaged by fire in October and is not currently usable. We are confident the site is good, with lots of fish in the river and bay. Now we wait for the birds to discover it.
ERECTING THE PLATFORM
The platform went up in March 2016. That was too late for nesting in 2016, but Ospreys have been seen ‘checking it out’ for this season. It may take 2 years for the birds to accept it, but once they nest, it can be used over and over again.
Linda Vanderveen is past president of Hernando Audubon Society. An avid birder, she is very interested in birdwatching and other nature related activities. She has been active in Audubon for 20 years.
Dennis Capaz, who suggested the project, is interested in wildlife, and maintains a large purple martin colony on his property. He is also a member of Hernando Audubon for many years.
Helping to promote osprey nesting was another way of helping wildlife. Volunteers, concerned citizens, can do a lot to help wildlife, even if it is just in your yard. Feed birds, plant native plants, use fewer chemicals that end up in our water. It will take all of us working together to make this world a better place.
Hernando Audubon has monthly meetings Sept.-April and offers several field trips for beginning birders and experts alike. All are welcome.
For more information visit their website at hernandoaudubon.org
To visit the Osprey Perch visit Linda Pedersen Park located at 6300 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607