Nesting season begins

In April, many pairs have already chosen nest sites and are currently gathering nesting material to either "spruce up" or built nests atop the 700 + artificial nest structures that dot our coastline. Ospreys usually gather nesting material from with one mile from their nest sites. Most nesting material is composed of sticks, eel grass, reeds, and all most always some human refuse (or litter). Pairs are also copulating or mating. In the next 2-3 weeks many pairs will begin incubating between 2-4 eggs. Incubation lasts around 5 weeks.

At this point in the nesting season disturbance is critical. If a pair is continually disturbed then it will abandon the nest site. Once they are incubating or have young, then they are more likely to guard their nest nests to protect their chances of reproducing.

In the next few weeks I'll be posting more information and life history of the osprey and the history of how the osprey has recovered to almost historic numbers. Stay tuned osprey fans....