MEDIA RELEASE
26 OCTOBER 2009
OSPREY CHICKS IN
POLE POSITION
The resident Harwood ospreys that once nested on the Harwood Bridge
structure have shown their satisfaction with their new artificial nest structure.
This season’s
chicks have hatched in their penthouse nest on top of the
artificial nest structure,
which is a clear indication to the RTA that the birds are
content with their new nesting site.
“It is great to see the birds have taken to their new nests and are now breeding”
an RTA spokesperson said.
Observations clearly show that the ospreys prefer to use the new artificial nest
structure over the existing natural habitat in the Harwood area.
In 2007, the RTA started planning to overhaul the lift
span on the Harwood
Bridge over the Clarence River.
The RTA was aware that ospreys were using the bridge structure as a nesting
site. Unfortunately this was not an ideal situation for either the ospreys or the
RTA.
To improve the safety of the ospreys and their chicks the RTA started to look at
alternative measures to deter the ospreys from using Harwood Bridge as a nest
site.
In 2008, in consultation with an osprey expert, the RTA erected an artificial nest
structure, a nest cradle fixed to the top of a 30m pole, for the ospreys to use as
a nest site. This pole was installed on the riverbank on the southern side of the
bridge and provides an alternative site for the ospreys to use throughout the
year, but most importantly during their breeding season.
The RTA’s maintenance crew working on the Harwood Bridge major overhaul
are in a prime position to observe the chicks and watch them develop over the
coming months.
Ospreys were also found to be using the Wardell and McFarlane bridges as
long term residents.
“The Ospreys are magnificent birds that have become a real fixture of these
three communities. Over the years the RTA has been careful to look after our
resident ospreys when maintaining the bridges and many of our work crews
have developed a real affection and keen interest in the birds’ welfare,” the
spokesperson said.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
