This
is the cell tower nest South of Hilton road on old US 23 near Brighton,
MI. The USF&WL banded male from this nest started building it last
summer. He is back and has added much more nest material. The nest is
approximately centered on the monopole.
There are reports that a 2nd osprey (female?) was also seen on the tower. It was not seen during this visit.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission
After
waiting around for about an hour, the male osprey appreared with a
bright orange Koi. He was bringing them to the female at this nest last
summer.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission
Fortuitously,
the osprey's right leg with the silver colored US Fish and Wildlife
band could be seen in several of the photos. This photo clearly shows
it in the highlighted area. He is carrying the partially eaten Koi in
his left talon.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission
After
landing in the nest with the Koi, the male spent perhaps 10 minutes
looking around. He didn't seem to be interested in eating any more of
it.
In
this photo, one can clearly see how well the nest is centered over the
monopole and supported by the large black coaxial cables exiting from
it.
Jim Kortge photo; used with permission
When the male left the nest, he took his Koi with him.
Within the two hour span spent at this nest observing, no other ospreys were seen.
Fortuitously,
the osprey's right leg with the silver colored US Fish and Wildlife
band could be seen in several of the photos. This photo clearly shows
it in the highlighted area. He is carrying the partially eaten Koi in
his left talon.
