The ospreys are back in Belmont Park in Colwood. On Easter Sunday they were seen and heard circling around the Telus cell tower, crying loudly.
Were they announcing their return from their winter vacation down south, or were they lamenting the absence of their nest from their home of many years atop the Telus tower?
While the ospreys were away this past winter, Telus attempted to relocate them to meet communication needs on the cell tower. They erected a pole of considerable height, if somewhat smaller and lower than the cell tower, and perched the remains of the nest upon it.
In Belmont Park we have watched for the return of the ospreys to see if they would accept relocation.
I am pleased to announce that on Tuesday two ospreys could be seen in the nest on the new pole.
So, thank you to Telus for an action which, so far, seems to be successful.
The nest is obviously smaller and shallower than the original, but, if ospreys can build nests on light standards, they should be able to adapt this one to meet their needs. We will watch developments with interest.
The presence of the ospreys in Belmont Park is valued, and, should they decide to relocate elsewhere, they would be sadly missed.
Helen Martin
Colwood