Ospreys are nesting once again this year at the entrance to MacDonald’s Beach near Eastern Passage. Nova Scotia’s provincial bird is found on all continents except Antarctica and its appearance remains the same, regardless of its home. It often nests near fresh lakes and rivers. Fresh fish make up 99% of its diet.
With a wingspan of between 4.5 and 6 feet, Ospreys are attractive raptors, and are often mistaken for eagles. Locally, they are frequently seen hunting along the salt marsh and Rainbow Haven Beach. They are remarkable for their ability to hover in the air and then plummet into the water at high speeds that can reach up to 80 mph during a dive. With talons that have two claws facing forward and two facing back, adults are able to grab hold of fish that are equal to them in size, sometimes diving 3 feet underwater to reach their prey.
Ospreys can live for up to 30 years in the wild. They usually mate for life and will often return to their original nest year after year, rebuilding it as needed. These nests can be up to 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep.
Two to three eggs are usually laid in a year. The young hatch one at a time and are constantly watched by at least one of the parents. The older, stronger chicks are fed first and will sometimes throw younger siblings out of the nest if food is scarce.
In the fall, Ospreys migrate to warmer climates in Central and South America.
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Beautiful! There was a small family of ospreys in my old hood in BC, I just love them. This reminded me of the gigantic eagles nest on top of a telephone poll near our Walmart, the only real wildlife around here. Amazing how birds can adapt to our urban landscape!
Talk about sibling rivalry. Wuff.
It’s interesting that your provincial bird and our state bird (the robin) migrate. There’s a move here to name the chickadee to the honor instead, as it stays around all year!
Amazing nest – great photos.
Now I have a very different place from Florida with which to associate osprey nests. They are true citizens of the world.
Suzie, I didn’t know you were from BC. I lived there for a few years before moving to NS. It took me years to get over missing the mountains whenever I’d walk outside.
Was this Walmart in Bedford? There was a huge Osprey nest there a couple of years ago that had to be moved by NS Power.
Gerry, I can see their point in wanting a state bird that’s a year round resident, but that would certainly limit possible choices. We might all end up with chickadees as provincial birds in Canada if we did the same.
Thanks JoAnn. The nests are truly humongous.
pj, apparently the size of Nova Scotia’s Osprey population is second only to Florida’s.
Hi again, I’m learning a lot from your website.
Didn’t know that the Osprey was NS’s official bird.
Ospreys are returning to our area and can now be seen nesting on poles all over the area.
They are marvellous !
Best wishes, Sybil
Sybil, yes those ospreys are something else. I checked out a local nest again a couple of days ago and was pleased to see a bird still in it. Glad you’re enjoying the site.