I am so excited to report to all my friends and neighbors that the osprey nesting platform project that I have been coordinating for over TWO years is finally a reality. Our new osprey nesting platform has finally been erected on Burr Creek in Black Rock! The platform was put into place on November 21, 2009.
Osprey platform with Captain's Cove in background.
It all started when I had been in my new neighborhood for awhile and noticed that osprey often fished in Burr Creek. I thought this would be a perfect location for a nest especially since an abandoned 30 Foot utility pole was already securely standing right at the edge of the water. And with one successful pair of opreys nesting at Ash Creek on the other side of Black Rock , how cool would it be to have a second pair raising their chicks on the other side of Black Rock.
A couple of years ago, I secured permission from the City for our Arthur Street Neighbors Committee to build and install a wooden nesting platform for ospreys on an unused utility pole on a small city green space directly on Burr Creek at the end of our street.
Then I found a sympathetic teacher Charles Johnson at the Bridgeport School of Aquaculture who found a student to construct the 40 inch wooden square with mesh bottom and support beams. Material for the platform was donated by Wood, Steel and Glas Inc. of Madison. I searched a LONG time to find someone who would help with the job and provide the necessary bucket truck to raise the structure, I was happy to finally find an enthusiastic landscaper, Nate Burns, from a great local tree company, Bartlett Tree Experts, to install the platform on top of the 35 foot pole using their bucket truck.
Jose Garcia from Bartlett Tree Experts secures platform to pole.
On behalf of the Arthur Street Neighbors Committee, I would like to thank the School of Aquaculture, the City of Bridgeport, United Illuminating, City Councilwomen Susan Brannelly, Wood, Steel and Glas Inc., neighbor Steve Patalano and Nate Burns and Jose Garcia from Bartlett Tree Experts. I particularly would also like to thank the Ash Creek Conservancy Association, the Black Rock Community Council and neighbors Doug Fay, Betsy Ross, and Michael Raleigh for installation funding.
The project got some good press including this article from the CT Post and mention in many local Black Rock blogs.
It is not easy to get even a small project like this accomplished in Bridgeport, but with perseverance and with a strong belief in a “If I build it, they will come” philosophy, the nest platform is up and now we wait until early spring. It is very likely that two of the many osprey we see here will discover the platform and check it out. Oftentimes, a young osprey couple will practice building a nest the first year, but not seriously breed or nest. Then they will often return the next spring to that same location and seriously settle down and raise their family.
Osprey dive feet first to grasp fish and adjust fish in talons with head facing forward to make itaerodynamic while flying.
Here’s hoping !
And I will keep everyone informed.
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