Date: 3/28/25 2:58 pm From: Roy Adolphson <roydjoy47...> Subject: [ia-bird] Osprey at Purple Martin Lake
I stopped by Purple Martin Lake this afternoon to check for Osprey reported by a few eBirders. At about 3:20 p.m. there was an Osprey at the top of the single cell tower just west of SE35th and Army Post Road (WDM). It was bracing itself against the stiff s.w. wind and appeared to have a fair-sized fish in its talons (also nesting material on the tower). When I parked by the Purple Martin enclosure, an Osprey flew in from the south and made some passes over the lake. I saw it make two dives into the water without success, after which it flew to the south and landed on a tall light pole at the junction of Hwy 5 and the I-35 southbound ramp. There appeared to be nesting material on that tower as well.
There were a number of Tree Swallows foraging over the water, but I did not see any martins. There were a number of waterfowl far in the distance on the lake.
