Harwood Ospreys

< BACK TO ANIMALS starstarstarstarstar   Conservation - Animals Press Release
26th October 2009, 06:39pm - Views: 1179





People Feature Rtansw 1 image

People Feature Rtansw 2 image

People Feature Rtansw 3 image


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.


People Feature Rtansw 4 image

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 articles logo NEWS ARTICLES
Contact News Articles |Remove this article