Wild New Jersey - Guest Forum. Osprey Nest Platforms

Occasionally we openly respond to a letter when the topic is of significant general interest. -- Editors

Building Osprey Nest Platforms

Dear Wild New Jersey:

Hi, My name is Meredith, and I am a Junior in High School and a Girl Scout, and working on my Gold Award. (equivalent to the Eagle in Boy Scouts). I am going to build four Osprey nest platforms and put them in the water in Mason Neck State Park in Northern Virginia. Unfortunately, the plans I was given are very sketchy, and I am desperate for better plans for the platforms. If you can help me, have platforms, or know someone who can help me please let me know. Meredith Steer, Fairfax Station, VA.

Hi Meredith!

I'm one of the editors for WildNJ.com. I am not an expert in this area, but I can direct you to the National Audubon Society. There doesn't seem to be anything specifically about osprey nest platforms, but within this site you can find regional and even some local Audubon groups, and I think that through them you can get specific help.

I would also recommend looking under the National Fish & Wildlife Department site, which can also be found in our Connections area, under Government Sites. These folks work for the United States Federal Government, for U.S. citizens and also have a national site on the web. They will have local and regional organizations to try as well.

These two groups would be the best to get information on Osprey Nest Platforms. In addition, my WildNJ colleague Karen L. Siletti is privately referring you to contacts at Public Service Electric & Gas, a utility in New Jersey that has a huge program for building Osprey nests. This program is discussed in our Ospreys on the Hackensack article.

I do hope that this helps you! Let us know how you are doing. If you do a final report, send it up to us, perhaps what you have learned will help others interested in the same topic.

Best wishes in your success!

Lynda H. D'Orio