Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not always take modern innovations into consideration when planning wildlife habitats.
A pair of ospreys was observed in early March, nesting on a post that supports a light fixture that illuminates Manatee County-maintained city tennis courts at 6200 Flotilla Drive in Holmes Beach.
Vacationers John and Mary Tris, who were staying near the nest, said they have observed for three years a pair of ospreys nesting at that spot around this time of year.
According to a March 26 email, Tris heard a ruckus from the birds and observed county workers using a bucket lift to reach the light fixture. “One of them held up the pole to discourage the ospreys from attacking them,” he said.
The activity by the workers caused both male and female osprey to leave the nest and observe, sometimes from a nearby Norfolk Island pine tree.
As the workers approached the nest, which at that time contained eggs, the agitated birds flew close to the workers, “calling loudly,” according to John Tris.
He said the female osprey returned to the nest once the threat was gone.
He noted that before their Holmes Beach vacation ended March 31, the chicks were in the nest.
“They were in and out very fast, like they had done this before,” Mary Tris said April 2 of the workers. “They weren’t swinging the pole, it just seemed like they had it with them for protection,”
Ed Straight, president of Wildlife Inc. Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, said April 2 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission should be notified and may choose to relocate the nest.
He noted that under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to tamper with nests containing eggs or chicks. Breaking this law can trigger a $15,000 federal fine.
“The FWC doesn’t usually mess with a nest with babies in it, but this may not be a good location for the nest,” Straight said. “There aren’t a lot of good places around there to land for babies that are just learning to fly.”
When contacted April 2, FWC public information officer Brian Norris said he was unaware of the issue in Holmes Beach and would check into permitting for the area.