Md. Considers Nesting Platform For Ospreys
SANDY POINT, Md. (WJZ) -- When it comes to monitoring traffic, it seems technology is for the birds--at least for a pair of ospreys.
Alex DeMetrick reports they've been competing with a traffic camera to build their nest.
You might have passed under this structure crossing the Bay Bridge, but for the last week, a pair of ospreys has been stopping by to build their nest. It's the kind of place ospreys love to call home.
"Something that's tall, flat and near the water is possible for an osprey to put a nest on," said Glenn Therres, DNR Wildlife Heritage.
The problem is they're putting that nest in front of a traffic camera. First on Friday, then crews removed it. And then Monday another nest was removed.
"And then Tuesday morning, the bird returned for a third time and we did the exact same thing--removed the nest--because again, there were no eggs inside," said John Sales, Maryland Transportation Authority.
That's a big condition. Because they are federally protected when osprey young are involved, removing nests takes permits and may not be allowed.
Meanwhile, the birds started nest number four in front of the westbound bridge camera. No eggs were spotted.
"If they're successful at raising young in the nest, then they have a high probability of coming back to the same nest year after year after year," Therres said.
It isn't so much man against nature as it is man looking after his own.
"A lot of the lanes merging into two lanes to cross the Bay Bridge there, so that's a critical part for us to monitor," Sales said.
Meaning nest number four will have to come down.
"Ospreys will eventually get the message and find an alternate place to nest," Therres said.
Osprey Versus Maryland: The Nest Battle Live (Courtesy WTOP)
Maryland's Transportation Authority is not without a heart. It's exploring the possibility of building a platform between the cameras for the ospreys to build their nest.
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