Blog #381 Never a Dull Moment at Salt Point


Ospreys at home, courtesy of Karel and Cindy Sedlacek. 

Ospreys race home in the spring in waves. The first Ospreys to arrive on the breeding grounds are the  experienced breeders with nests they’ve tended for years. After they settle, younger breeders return to  their nests. The third wave is made up of the youngest birds hatched 2–3 seasons ago and non-breeding  floaters (intruders) looking to start a nest. 

Pair on their nest, courtesy of Karel and Cindy Sedlacek.

Ospreys are philopatric meaning they try to nest near their natal sites if food and nesting locations are  available. When returning to breed for the first time, young males are more loyal to their natal sites than  females, who tend to wander farther away. Studies in southern New England, where there are ample  nesting sites and food show males almost always nest within 6 miles of their natal site and 80% of  females stayed within 30 miles of their natal sites. By contrast, in boreal forests of Finland where nest  sites are much more limited, the mean distance between the natal site and nesting site was 30 miles for  males, and 84 miles for females. 

Double-buck (double-armed) utility poles are a favorite nest site on Cayuga, courtesy of Cindy Sedlacek. 

Most of Cayuga’s Ospreys are now back on their nests, long-term mates have reunited, and positions for  missing mates are in the process of being filled. New breeders are taking over any empty nests they find  and are building new ones. On Cayuga Lake, Ospreys seem to prefer nesting on the double-buck  (double-armed) telephone poles, which offer good support.  

Earlier this month, Ophelia returned to the Salt Point nest, albeit a week late, to find her nest usurped by  a healthy-looking female nicknamed Ursula. Just like last year, Orpheus convinced the two females to  nest together—a rarely observed form of polygyny with 2 females on the same nest.  

After a few days, Ophelia had had enough and began nesting in the Salmon Creek nest. Orpheus was  feeding both females, but Ophelia was not getting enough food and had to hunt for herself, in turn, leaving the nest unguarded. In an inexplicable switch, a Canada Goose took advantage of Ophelia’s  frequent absences by settling into the Salmon Creek nest and rarely leaving it.

Ophelia at the Salmon Creek nest before the goose takeover, courtesy of Karel and Cindy Sedlacek. 

Where will Ophelia go? Ophelia is an estimated 13–15 years old, the age when Ospreys are most fertile and has many more productive years ahead. Perhaps she will take the place of a missing mate  somewhere nearby. She could also drift about as a floater until she finds a nest. Unfortunately, we will  never know as Ophelia is not banded and there is no way to track her. After ten years of watching her, I  will miss her greatly. 

Eyes to the sky! 

Candace 

Candace E. Cornell 

Friends of Salt Point, Lansing NY 

Cayuga Osprey Network 

cec222@gmail.com 

HELP PROTECT OSPREYS:  

• Keep a distance (100-300 feet) from active nests in the breeding season. If an 

animal vocalizes when you are near, you are too close! BACK OFF IMMEDIATELY. • Carry binoculars to view wildlife from a distance. 

• Help keep local waters clean and healthy. Preserve and clean shorelines.

• Recycle or dispose of used fishing line and other materials that can entangle Ospreys and other aquatic animals. 

• Volunteer to monitor Osprey nests with the Cayuga Osprey Network.  Write to: cec222@gmail.com. Thank you. 

EYES ON OSPREYS  

WATCH! 

Salt Point Osprey Nest Cam 

READ! 

OnOspreyTime: Ospreys of Salt Point 

VISIT! 

Cayuga Lake Osprey Trail


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