Blog #258 Salt Point Osprey Cam: Nest Sights & Sounds

I was apprehensive when I saw Ophelia sitting on her nest. In an hour, Ithaca’s  Computer Room and the Ithaca Sign Co. would be arriving with their equipment and  bucket truck to fix the Salt Point Osprey Cam. The camera, mounted atop a 60’ Osprey  nest platform at the Salt Point Natural Area, was knocked out of alignment in October,  most probably a red squirrel. Should I proceed with the repair and risk scaring Ophelia  and Orpheus from their nest? 

Orpheus and Ophelia siting on their nest prior to the camera repair, CE Cornell. 

Originally scheduled for early March when the bucket truck could negotiate the mud and  before the Ospreys returned, the Osprey cam realignment suffered numerous delays due to COVID-19. Today proved to be the first opportunity to access the nest platform,  but it would be risky. Orpheus and Ophelia began repairing their nest yesterday,  meaning it was still legal to work near the nest, but they should not be overly stressed  as that can lead to nest abandonment. I decided to go ahead with the procedure. 

Ophelia sitting on branch (L) while the bucket approaches the nest, CE Cornell. 

Ophelia flew off the nest as the bucket truck backed up to the nest platform and sat  nearby keeping an eye on the operation. Orpheus circled the bucket, attempting to  

Getting buzzed by an annoyed Orpheus (lower R), CE Cornell.

unnerve the techie as he worked quickly to realign and secure the camera and install a new microphone. Eventually, Orpheus flew annoyed and cackling, as did Ophelia. The  repairs were completed in less than 20 minutes and the trucks left. All that remained  was hope that the Osprey would return to their nest. Minutes seemed like hours when  waiting, but the Osprey pair returned within 15 minutes. The nest was theirs again. 

Ophelia (L) and Orpheus (R) in their nest, CE Cornell. 

Ophelia quickly got back to repositioning the sticks that Orpheus had collected for her.  She wandered the inside of the nest, repeatedly poking a stick in openings until the  perfect place was determined. Orpheus brought another stick and the process was repeated. 

The improved view of the nest and the addition of sound are great improvements to this  year’s Osprey viewing for the community. Enjoy footage of Orpheus and Ophelia on the  Salt Point Osprey Cam YouTube Channel. 

Eyes to the sky! 

Candace 

Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point 

Lansing, NY 

cec22@cornell.edu

Read!  

On Osprey Time 

Ospreys of Salt Point 

Explore! 

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail   

Watch!  

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam 

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