In the wee hours of this morning at 5:30 a.m., I heard the cries of Zorro and Esperanza. I was thrilled to hear them, even though it was still dark outside.
Last night, I was dismayed as they weren’t at their destroyed nest site on the neighbor’s boat lift. Was I too late to help them with a new home?
See, I have been able to find someone to help me install a new Osprey platform quickly and they were scheduled to come today. Two gentlemen arrived in a truck from Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, one Phil, who has been installing Osprey platforms going on twelve years now. And Dean, a quiet and reliable fellow.
In quick order, Phil got his waders on and walked into the water to begin installation.
It didn’t take long for the platform to be installed, with Zorro flying overhead wondering what we were up to. Esperanza, however was watching from across the river.
It stands high and open, and although the platform is much smaller than their previous footprint, we’re hoping that they’ll adopt this new ‘nest’ quickly.
Esperanza returned to the boat lift and began her crying again. I called her several times, and she looked at me. I told her that there is a new home for her and it was time to move in.
Alas, tonight both went off to parts unknown. I’ll sleep a restless night, wondering where they will be in the morn.
Emily Carter Mitchell ~ Nature as Art 
Esperanza has good reason to be cautious though, so sad what happened still 😦
Oh me too Andy. I’m so hoping this plan works. Thank you so much for your support.
Always 🙂 Let’s hope for good news soon!
How fabulous – fingers-crossed it all goes to plan with Zorro and Esperanza moving in VERY soon! 🙂
How I wish they would Joanne. Esperanza is one stubborn girl.
That is so awesome that you arranged to have this built for them! I am hoping the Ospreys utilize it.
I’ve been hoping all day long, but so far no luck. It’s only been there a day, and the neighbors haven’t evicted them fully yet.
You are too much – how cool is this?! Hope that those two turned around and head back, they’ll find a nice and better protected spot.
They did return today Mary, and I was so happy to hear and see them. But they still like their original home. Who knows what will happen next.
This platform was my anniversary gift from hubby. Now how kind was that?
Now that’s some guy!!! It might take the birds a while to see if anyone is going to bother the new build ~ never know, you might entice a whole new bird couple!!
It’s a bit late in the season and all the osprey are already sitting on their eggs. At least it’ll be there for next year. And I plan on building a better one next spring, so I’ll have TWO !! 🙂
Oh my goodness your neighbors are really going to love you!!!
Hehe..you should see their nest today. Filled with stuff that I put out for them on my lawn – all on the neighbor’s boat lift.
OMG, so funny!
Fingers crossed. You won’t be the only one sleeping light tonight.
Well, the cat didn’t either. She decided to bring me a mouse in the middle of the night as a gift to distract me. Silly cat. Thank you!
Good for you! Well done and I hope they come back and build their nest there. Imagine that! Birds of prey nesting in your own grounds! 🙂
You know that would make my day. Although I really like the boat lift so much more also. It was so much easier to photograph them there. And it really is such a perfect spot for them.
SQUEAL!!! How WONDERFUL of you all to do this for these amazing birds. While I still wish a wildlife agency would get involved somehow, and punish the (%#&$#&$!!) who could do this in the first place… On the hopeful side of things, this proves to show that there are so many GREAT people out there!
Here’s a ton of good vibes to those lovelies, to make this their new home! XO!
Actually a friend of mine is in the Maryland Dept of Natural Resources enforcement and he did go to the house last Sunday. Spoke with the perpetrators. But bottom line Christina? The law is on their side. So long as there is no egg or babies, they can do it. I just hated that they did it the way they did.
So far, they’re being way too stubborn and won’t move.
I still, just can’t believe it… Honestly. These people are downright nasty. But you’re SO WONDERFUL for being so proactive — and here’s to praying those two lovebirds will find their way to a NEW home, your new tower.
Thank you my kind dear. Let’s hope !!
What an amazing effort, Emily! Those two guys, Phil and Dean are the BEST. I hope your precious ospreys get the message and come back to set up home. 🙂
My dear Sylvia, I really hope so too. So far, they’re being far to stubborn and won’t listen. Phil and Dean really are pretty awesome. Wish you could have met them.
Me too. They’re obviously so dedicated. 🙂