Ospreys on the Nest

Ospreys On The Nest

I could sense my friend’s excitement even in her text.  “We think we’ve got a bald eagle nesting in the cell tower near our house!”  Knowing the nests that are present on several cell towers in our area, I suggested to her, “Are you sure you’re not looking at an osprey?”  Soon she sent another text:  “You’re right, we used our telescope and can see it’s an osprey.”  She may have been a little disappointed, but she needn’t have been.  An osprey may not be a bald eagle, but it’s still an unusual nature observation.  And they are large and beautiful raptors.

These birds, which used to be known as fish hawks, are about six to eight inches smaller than eagles and have white underparts, as compared to mature bald eagles which are all brown except for their heads and tails.  

Ospreys are known to mate for life and often return to the same nest, adding to it each year.  After hatching, the 2-4 nestlings are cared for by their parents until flight occurs at about seven weeks.  Young birds can be observed strengthening their wings by flapping until they rise above the nest and then sink back down.

A really fortunate observer at the lake can see an osprey swoop down and catch lunch or dinner.  We’ve seen that happening while enjoying the Galley Restaurant for our own dinner,.  When an osprey spots a fish, it hovers over the water, then plunges feet first to catch its meal in its talons.  The male usually does the fishing to bring food back to the nest when young are present.

I know of at least four cell towers or high platforms in Anderson where ospreys nest, and more are no doubt around.  This is a relatively recent phenomenon for which we can thank the presence of Lake Hartwell (and the DDT ban).  Ospreys used to nest only near the coast; however, they have followed water routes and are now nesting inland.  If you can safely pull over when you pass a cell tower, look to see if you see messy sticks poking out around the top.  If so, you are probably looking at an osprey nest.  And if you’re lucky, you’ll see birds, either adults or maybe little ones as well.  The nests are so high that you’ll need binoculars to get a good look.  The cell tower nest at the corner of Highway 24 and Alice Drive is a good one to study, because a pull-off provides a safe spot where watchers can park and observe the activity.

Looking up and seeing an osprey nest, and following the progression of the little ones as they mature, is a wonderful experience  for my friend, who is now watching the nest near her home.  She’s getting a great education in nature study.  And now that ospreys nest in our area--you can, too.