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Osprey nesting platform installed in Abbotsford’s Willband Creek Park

Partnership between Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and city of Abbotsford leads to new structure
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An osprey nesting platform has been installed in Abbotsford’s Willband Creek Park. (Submitted)

The Abbotsford/Mission Nature Club and the city of Abbotsford recently came together to fabricate and install an osprey nesting platform in Willband Creek Park.

According to the AMNC, osprey are not currently listed as threatened or endangered, but it is known that suitable nesting habitat is scarce in the urban setting. Willband Creek Park provides the habitat elements required by osprey but lacks large trees for nesting.

Discussions initially began last summer, with AMNC offering to manufacture the nesting platform and the city suggesting an all metal and concrete structure to increase durability.

Roughly 90 per cent of the materials used to build the structure were salvaged and re-purposed from scrap metal and an old lamp post and concrete base. AMNC fabricated an all metal nesting platform, roughly four feet in diameter and one foot deep, weighing in at roughly 300 pounds. This platform mounted to the top of a 30 foot tall, re-purposed lamp post which was fastened to a 3500 pound recycled lamp post base.

The structure was erected on April 16, roughly 30 metres from the main trail in the south east corner of Willband Creek Park. According to the AMNC, the positioning is surrounded by trees but is open enough to provide clear flyways in and out of the nest with fast access to fishing sites.

A few finishing touches had to be added following the installation, and the AMNC plans to make and install signage to explain the structure and educate the public about ospreys. The AMNC also hinted that the installation of a nest camera could be included if the platform is occupied.

RELATED: Osprey with lead poisoning rescued from B.C. provincial park



Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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