Date: 3/24/26 7:53 am From: Dave Nutter (via CAYUGABIRDS-L list) <CAYUGABIRDS-L...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] 3 Ospreys, S end of Cayuga L, afternoon 23 March
Yesterday, 23 March, after seeing several reports of an Osprey on the nest along Fall Creek opposite Stewart Park and of an Osprey on the nest in the SW field of AH Treman State Marine Park (the one north of the maintenance building, the solar panel array, and also the Hangar Theatre), but never more than 1 Osprey seen at a time, I went to figure out whether this was a single bird checking the choices among nests while no other birds were around, or whether there seemed to be a greater level of attachment, indicating 2 separate birds.
When I arrived at AH Treman and came past the maintenance building, I saw (and quickly photographed) an Osprey on the perch on the nest platform. It soon took off and flew around in a large circle, calling. Then I saw what I assumed was the same Osprey fly to a big Cottonwood nearby along the E side of NYS-89, perching about halfway up, which is about the same height as the nest platform. A few times as I walked around the park I was able to check these perches from a distance, and usually either the platform or the Cottonwood (sometimes the top) was occupied by an Osprey, but never both. As I was about to finally lose sight of this area before exiting the park, I glanced back. There were 2 Ospreys sitting side-by side on that nest! I managed to quickly set up my scope and get 1 photo before one of them took flight. Although I didn't see mating, I also didn't see altercation. It looked like a pair who had claimed their nest. At any rate it proved more than 1 Osprey is around. But I didn't see any Osprey near any of the other 3 nests (Union Field in Cass Park, the north field at AH Treman, or the NW corner of Newman Golf Course.
I then biked from AH Treman to Stewart Park via the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. As I approached I watched the nest on the W bank of Fall Creek opposite the SW corner of Stewart Park, and I didn't see any Osprey there, nearby, or anywhere. I wondered if an Osprey was in the nest but hunkered down against the stiff NW wind, so I set up my scope on the boardwalk between the suspension bridges and examined the top of the nest for evidence of feathers. No Osprey appeared to be hiding in the nest, but then into my view descended a pair of feet carrying a large stick as an Osprey returned. It took a moment to set up my phone on the scope, by which time the Osprey, now sitting on the nest, was using its bill to adjust the placement of the stick (shown in a quick & dirty photo I took). I then got another more respectable photo of it standing on the nest with its crown ruffled by the wind. That Osprey wasn't always on the nest, but its commitment to that nest is clear as it adds sticks.
Again I saw no Ospreys around the other 2 nests at Stewart Park, nor flying around, nor perched generally. But as of yesterday afternoon it appears there were at least 3 Ospreys at the south end of Cayuga Lake.
