After reading this story (bird-lovers will be enraged) in the local community paper, we zipped up to Mindarie Keys, 36km north of Perth CBD, to check it out. I was totally unprepared for the changes as it's been many years since we last came up this way, tell you more about that tomorrow. The short story is that due to major residential development in this area six years ago due to necessity a pair of Osprey built their nest atop this sculpture and successfully reared several chicks..
Not taking away from the sculpture 'Egyptian Rowboat' by WA artist Jon Denaro, his work featured in 'Sculpture by the Sea', the artist drawing inspiration from 'boats as an integral feature within the harbour', but this looks like an unlikely spot for a nest, which I have just read can be up to 2mt wide and 135kg heavy, blimey!
Much to the ire of birders and photographers alike the shire removed the nest so that repairs could be carried out on the sculpture which allegedly :) was showing signs of rust that could 'compromise the stability of the sculpture, therefore becoming a danger to the public and the nest'! All are hoping that the Ospreys will reclaim their spot and just as we were leaving look who arrived and was calling for their mate, P swung his camera up and got this quick shot before the Osprey soared magnificently up into the blue sky. I think nesting season is getting close so I will return to see if they have reclaimed their sculptural abode. Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe.. p.s. what a fabulous view of the nest the people next door would have had, and hopefully will have again!
Hopefully it won't take them long to re-establish a new nest.
ReplyDeleteGood série photos!
ReplyDeleteYou found and show another WONDER!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly looks as if they will rebuild there, Grace! I like the sculpture!
ReplyDeleteI like the sculpture a lot. Hopefully, the ospreys will continue to nest there (although, as you say, it doesn't look like a good spot for a nest). Love that last shot!
ReplyDeleteThose birds must be engineering geniuses to build a stable nest at the top of that sculpture and raise a family in it. Very impressive indeed. I love that last shot! Fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a story!
ReplyDeleteYep...I'm a bird lover who's enraged! (I do like the sculpture, though....)
ReplyDeleteI hope they come back and reestablish their home or find a better one. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteWell, sure! Why not? ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, sure! Why not? ;-)
ReplyDeleteA great capture by P. We saw purpose built poles for birds of prey, I forget which ones, in Canada. I think Gosia in Poland has also showed special poles for nesting storks? I suppose the Osprey won't think about it too much and just get one with building from scratch.
ReplyDeleteSure is a nice sculpture. I'd remove the nest after the young leave also. Here in Florida we have so many huge birds they can be quite destructive. Osprey especially cause many problems for the power company and broadcasters and anyone else with a tower and antennas. Eagles and Vultures, although can be troublesome, generally do not encroach on human structures like Osprey do. Osprey will even build in stadium lights which can lead to fires when the lights are on.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo of the Osprey and such a pretty sculpture they chose as a nesting site. I do hope they return, and they probably will since it is a successful nesting site, nice and close to the sea and dinner too.
ReplyDeleteLets hope they come back (super shots!).
ReplyDeleteLet us hear it for the Ospreys. They should be encourage to nest where ever they want.
ReplyDeleteNice post and pics
ReplyDeleteAt last someone has found a good use for the 'sculpture!'
ReplyDeleteTall things with blue sky behind are always tempting for the cameraman.
'boats as an integral feature within the harbour'
ReplyDeleteWhat next artist, 'Water as an integral feature of the harbour?' Bonkers!
That boat would sink.
At least the Osprey's have made good use of it and will return again.
Tall things against the blue sky always attract the cameraman.
Birds always try to find special places for nesting, these ones must have loved modern art. We had some building a nest under our roof and they were destroying it, so we had them removed before they could finish the nest.
ReplyDeleteUma bela escultura que atraiu uma ave imponente, um belo momento.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
Andarilhar
I hope they return. My goodness I love that last picture <3
ReplyDeleteHow lucky of you and P to capture the bird. Hopefully they will nest there again.
ReplyDeleteI hope, too, they return, Grace. 135kg! That sure is a lot!!
ReplyDeleteyes, that seems like a hard place to build a nest and i hope they come back...how lucky to catch a shot of the osprey!
ReplyDeleteOh, dear! We humans and "civilisation" does pose a lot of problems for our fellow wild animals!
ReplyDelete