Nesting Osprey
An osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nests on top of a parking lot light at the Crystal River Mall. We saw twigs and other plant matter at the base of the lamp, and guano covered the hood of an unfortunate vehicle parked beside the lamp.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ospreys nest from December in the south part of the state to February in the north part of the state. We're in north-central Florida, so the timing here seems just right.
Utility poles (especially those near the water) are common osprey nesting sites, and nests are commonly reused for many years. This bird has staked its claim just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Ospreys feed on fish, which has earned them the name "fish hawks."
Ospreys are not as large as bald eagles (which also breed in this area), but they enjoy a five- to six-foot wingspan.
Nesting Osprey
An osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nests on top of a parking lot light at the Crystal River Mall. We saw twigs and other plant matter at the base of the lamp, and guano covered the hood of an unfortunate vehicle parked beside the lamp.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ospreys nest from December in the south part of the state to February in the north part of the state. We're in north-central Florida, so the timing here seems just right.
Utility poles (especially those near the water) are common osprey nesting sites, and nests are commonly reused for many years. This bird has staked its claim just a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Ospreys feed on fish, which has earned them the name "fish hawks."
Ospreys are not as large as bald eagles (which also breed in this area), but they enjoy a five- to six-foot wingspan.