Wellington Point’s ospreys have moved in to their new home.
A 20 metre steel tower has been provided by Redland City Council to replace the birds’ previous nesting site in a tall Cook pine tree. The tree had to be removed because of safety concerns, as reported by the Redland City Bulletin.
Before the the historic tree was felled, the existing osprey nest was carefully removed and stored. The ospreys, who visit this area to breed on a seasonal basis, were not using the nest at this time.
Osprey, Wellington Pt in background 24 March 2015
The ospreys returned to the Wellington Point area by late March 2015. Ospreys are fish eating birds of prey. Information about them is available from Birds in Backyards.
On 22 April, a 20 metre steel tower with nesting platform was erected by Redland City Council at a site close to the water in Main Road, Wellington Point. The ospreys’ old nest was carefully placed on the nesting platform.
Within a few hours the ospreys occupied the nest. Photos taken the next morning show one of the ospreys making some minor renovations.
The osprey tower and nesting platform erected by Redland City Council
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6 Comments
Lovely photos as I didn’t know what Ospreys looked like and good to know Redlands Council provided them with a new nesting place they are happy with.
Now if only the same could be done for koalas.. not felling habitat trees but retaining them wherever they exist throughout the Redlands…so they can keep surviving in their existing homes. Those of us who love our native wildlife and natural environment, could then rejoice….if only…
Congratulations to Cr Wendy Boglary and other council officers to replace the nesting site for the Ospreys who had lost their natural nesting site when a Cook Island pine was removed earlier in the year. Other councils from Broome In Western Australia to Pine Shire in Brisbane recognize the benefit of such activities, – Pine Shire actually have closed circuit TV on the nesting Ospreys for those interested to gauge the progress of the baby birds. Tourism the world over can be effected by the amount of wildlife occurring in the natural environment. On a current holiday overseas to 2 different countries, the wildlife in the natural environment is what is more important to the tourists visiting than statues, monuments etc.
Well said Hazel. If only something could be done to preserve our poor little koalas. I know it’s not easy for some Councillors who want so much to protect our koalas but they are out-numbered by the pro-development mayor and her supporting councillors. If only all councillors could realise how important the koalas are to Tourism, how many people actually do come to visit The Redlands in the hope that they will be able to see a koala in the wild.
Alas, those of us who have been fortunate enough to see the koalas can do nothing more to save them if the Redland Council does not take steps to protect the remaining koalas and their precious trees and corridors.
Congratulations on all the effort to ‘replace’ the nesting site for the ospreys. I really appreciate the trouble taken to preserve a pair of birds.
Now, let have some good action to preserve the habitat for koalas of our area. I note that they are unable to fly off to another safe nesting site like the birds.
That is such a beautiful ending to a much debated story. Ten out of ten to the Redland Shire for looking after our wildlife.
Please keep up the good work and let’s just hope the the Brisbane City Council will follow your example of empathy and kindness to our winged friends.
Good work & Thank You… John & Carmen Battersby
So many people were upset over the loss of the Cook Island Pine which was the home for the Ospreys and the tallest tree in Wellington Point, being 45 metres high.
This pole is a brilliant replacement for the Osprey’s home and I thank Council especially Cr. Wendy Boglary for arranging to have the pole put in place.
The photos of the Osprey making his adjustments to his home are superb.