Port of Olympia constructs nesting platform for osprey; second platform planned

The Port of Olympia used to be known for its peregrine falcons. Now, it’s osprey.

After some nesting osprey commandeered a light pole on the Port of Olympia’s marine terminal last spring and later gave birth to two chicks, the port has gone ahead — with input from the Black Hills Audubon Society — and built a platform for next year’s nesting season. A second platform is planned to be built in December.

That was according to port Executive Director Ed Galligan, who briefed the commission on the osprey and platforms at Monday’s commission meeting.

The first platform was built on a marine terminal light pole, just north of the Port Plaza. The second platform will be built closer to Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill restaurant, Galligan said. The platforms also will be outfitted with twigs, he said.

The osprey, though, may not need any help building a nest. Galligan showed a photo of the osprey’s first nest, which not only had plenty of twigs, but also had “actual lumber,” he said.

“I’m pleased to say that we put this together at little cost to the port,” said Galligan about the platforms.

Some birds of prey are attracted to the tall objects that dot the port’s marine terminal. For years, peregrine falcons used to regularly nest on one of two marine terminal cranes at the port until the cranes were deconstructed and recycled.

This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 11:55 PM with the headline "Port of Olympia constructs nesting platform for osprey; second platform planned."