Nesting Ospreys Near Creston

by Michell De Leon Tyler

Oh, how I love Spring! Not only because warmer weather and sunshine are coming, but also because Spring brings migratory birds back to the Flathead Valley.

Every year, I wait in anticipation for the Ospreys to return. Ospreys migrate from South America to North America to breed. On April 7, 2023, our migrating Ospreys returned to the Valley. I live in the Creston area not far from the Creston Fish Hatchery. It seemed a bit soon, I thought to myself, because in previous years they would arrive more toward mid- to the third week in April. Nonetheless, I was happy that they were back.

The second day after their arrival, I decided to take a drive back to where I noticed them. I was curious to see if the two had selected a nest building site. Indeed, they had. The couple chose a platform on top of a power pole. This concerned me. The first thing that came to mind was, is a perch on top of a power pole a good choice? I continued to watch as the nest was being built. The male would fly into a wooded area and collect branches. One by one, he flew to the power pole delivering them. The female carefully stacked them, layering and weaving each branch together. As I watched, the male Osprey continued to collect sizeable branches and fly with them tight in his talons back to the nesting site. It was incredible to watch. The Osprey are magnificent nest builders.

On day three, I checked on the couple again and could not believe how large the nest had become. It was three times larger than the previous day. To my disappointment, I saw orange twine woven throughout the branches of their nest. It had been collected from a nearby rancher’s field. It was somewhat heartbreaking as I knew how detrimental twine can be for Osprey when it becomes a component of their nest. Many have lost their lives from strangulation in twine. Power poles can also be dangerous. With each day of nest building the twine was getting closer to the ground. I made the decision to call Flathead Electric to see if the nest could be examined and the twine removed.

On the fifth day, a lineman from Flathead Electric visited the nest site and decided that for the Osprey’s safety it had to come down. I was sad for the couple but understood why it was necessary. The lineman replaced the nest on top of the platform with a fake Canada Goose to discourage the Osprey from rebuilding.

The following day I returned to the old nesting sight. The Osprey were nowhere to be found. I never saw the pair again. It was truly disheartening. My hope is that we can offer awareness and educate our community and our ranchers on how dangerous twine is for Osprey and other birds and animals. I am grateful to Flathead Electric. I have been noticing more fake geese on power poles lately. But it is only the beginning of the Osprey’s success in fulfilling the reason they venture so far to breed in our area. It would be helpful if our Osprey were given more nesting sites. If you live close to a good water source for fishing, offer a nesting site by designating a tree and putting a platform on it.