Date: 5/8/26 8:17 am From: Candace E. Cornell <cec222...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Osprey nest in trees
There are two unusual Osprey nests in the area. Ospreys normally nest in trees but switched to using human-made structures in many areas of the US in the 1980s. There are many tree nests in the Adirondacks but few in the Finger Lakes. That is until last year when pairs tried building a nest on top of a tree stump on Fire Lane 20 (restricted access?) and in a Cass Park cottonwood tree. This year both nests have taken shape although I can't predict their futures. The tree stump nest on Fire Lane 20 is well protected from the winds. However, the nest is surrounded by taller trees that could shelter great horned owls ready to attack and is open to raiding eagles. It is also susceptible to ground predators like egg-stealing snakes, racoons, and Corvids. Cottonwoods are used by Ospreys elsewhere but they are a weak tree and can't support large Osprey nests. The tops of white pines are preferable. Although the cottonwood nest grows I have not seen a female in this Cass Park nest, but she is probably there. Females stay low to their nests when incubating and are often impossible to see. The nest is susceptible to the wind in this location and climbing predators.
