Blog #372 Cayuga’s Osprey Nests: An Album
Ospreys nesting on a dedicated Osprey platform, built just for them.
There is no shortage of Ospreys and their coveted nests in the Greater Cayuga Lake Basin. This area includes the Cayuga Lake watershed and the wetland complex of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR). The birds nest here primarily because of the ample fish, clear water, and nesting substrates close to their hunting grounds. Once a colony is established, nesting sites are retained for the life of the owner and passed down to the next generation. Each year the birds add to the nest, resulting in large messy nests, that are trimmed by the winter winds. Ospreys are monogamous, pairing for life, but their true allegiance is to the nest, which must be protected at all costs. If it is knocked down, the birds will immediately rebuild. To an Osprey, the nest represents the future, for, without it, their lineage would not continue.
Osprey nests are large, jumbled stick affairs built on elevated substrates, out of reach from climbing predators and within full view of the surroundings. Tall trees that could harbor Great horned owls are avoided. Although shorelines are best, Ospreys will nest as far as 12 miles from their fishing areas and regularly travel large distances carrying their fish.
Osprey nests are true representations of their environment and are lined with materials from their surroundings, be it corn stalks or human refuse, or other artifacts. Osprey nests speak volumes about the people with whom they share the watershed and the responsibility of protecting it. For the most part, nests found around Cayuga Lake are fairly clean of human debris and free of dangerous plastics and other refuse typically found in urban Osprey nests, although monofilament fishing lines and plastic bags are occasionally seen. Urban Osprey nests are often receptacles for every imaginable debris from hula hoops, dolls, pails, sailboats, balloons, sneakers, wires, garden netting, inner tubes, used diapers, doggie waste bags, rubber boots, construction materials, and fast food containers.
Osprey nest filled with human debris and potentially harmful materials.
The Osprey’s choice of substates is a fascinating subject, one that is evolving with the times. Originally, Ospreys nested on top of strong tall trees near water and on the ground on islands with no predators. In the US, as forests were conquered, cities were built along shorelines, and suburbs spread across the
Osprey nest in the Adirondacks, CE Cornell.
landscape, the ancient large trees became scarce. Ospreys quickly adapted to the changing environment and started nesting on man-made structures. Within the span of a quarter-century, Ospreys began
nesting on telephone poles, high tension pylons, cell towers, channel markers, grain elevators, idle chimneys, water towers, athletic lights, and dedicated nest platforms—anything construction near water that is higher than the surroundings with a 360º view—to ward off aerial predators.
Double-armed—so-called double-buck—utility poles are a favorite nesting site for Ospreys. It is the abundance of these poles that has encouraged a large number of Ospreys to nest around Cayuga Lake. Interestingly, there are very few double-buck utility poles around the other Finger Lakes. Cell towers are used in their place rendering the populations substantially smaller and the nests difficult to observe.
Nest Album
The following photographs of Osprey nests found in the Cayuga Lake Basin show various substrates the birds build on—a testament to the Osprey’s tenacity, adaptability, and ingenuity. These nests and about 140 more can be found using the Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail.
A double-armed or double-buck utility pole, a favorite nesting site of Ospreys around Cayuga Lake. These nests can be fire hazards if not elevated above the electrical lines on risers.
Osprey often nest on pylons along waterways, such as the line of pylons on Routes 5/20 near the MNWR.
One of the oldest Osprey nests on Cayuga Lake is mounted on a riser along Route 90.
Ithaca’s first nest was built at Allan Treman Marine State Park in 2009 on a dedicated Osprey platform.
Ospreys nesting amidst the busy Cargill Salt Mine operation in Lansing.
One of the many nests on risers along Route 90.
Nests at Stewart Park near the Youth Bureau and along the cliffs in Lansing.
A nest atop athletic lights at Cornell University.
Nesting on the Lansing water tower.
Nesting on an idle grain elevator in Seneca County.
Nest on Braddock Bay channel marker and on Lock #1 (Mud Lock) at the north end of the lake.
Cell tower with nests in around Seneca Falls.
This is a representative sample of the roughly 150 Osprey nests in the Greater Cayuga Lake Basin. This spring and summer, drive around our scenic area to visit some of these nests. Keep your eyes open as Ospreys can be very creative in their choice of nest sites.
Observing the family life of Ospreys is one of the most rewarding birding experiences you can have. There is nothing quite like watching their babies grow into young fledglings ready to fly. And nothing is more endearing than watching the awkward young learning to fly and land back on their nests.
Eyes to the sky!
Candace
Candace E. Cornell
Friends of Salt Point
Lansing, NY
Cayuga Lake Osprey Network
EYES TO THE SKY!
WATCH!
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On Osprey Time: Ospreys of Salt Point
VISIT!
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