Ospreys in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

From early April through September each year, famous residents grace the small western town of Corvallis, Oregon. Two ospreys have become mascots of the town since the pair's arrival in 1994. Their nest, built on a 90-foot power pole near the twin bridges over the Willamette River, could be seen by many commuters on their way in and out of town. After the 2002 nesting season, the nest was moved a short distance downriver to a constructed nesting platform because sticks sometimes dropped from the huge nest onto power lines below and caused power outages. At the new location, the pair can once again raise a family of young, their general well being monitored by the 50,000 residents of the community.