Osprey Returning To Colonial Beach

Colonial Beach is buzzing with activities, especially high up in the trees, on towers and telephone poles. The Osprey are returning to Colonial Beach and preparing for the upcoming nesting season. Bird lovers are also buzzing and photographers are taking photos of these part time residents.

We caught up to some returning Osprey at two of our favorite nests near the boat ramp. The first pair you see here occupy the Monroe Bay buoy just in line with the public boat ramp on Monroe Bay Ave near the end of the Point.

It’s number 16 on the Osprey Map.

When we visited what appeared to be the male of next number 15 which is located on a pole just to the right-front of the boat ramp. He was perched in a nearby tree and seemed to be patiently awaiting his mates return.

Osprey don’t always winter together in fact they travel alone. In some cases they will remain where they are if fish are plentiful but if their prime food source dwindles in their summer homes, during winter they have to go where the food is.

They can travel great distances or just a few hundred miles depending on their needs. Osprey pairs separate during their winter retreat. In some instances they will join a flock of other migrating birds, but for the most part, males, females and their offspring travel independently of each other.

But pairs will generally regroup and mate for life.

Avian Report has a wonderful article explaining the Osprey Migration.

Everyone is excited to kick off this year’s breeding season with the Colonial Beach Fifth Annual Osprey Festival.

If you’re unable to get out to Colonial Beach to enjoy the festival don’t worry there are many more adventures in store for Osprey lovers and these “come-heres” will be around until late October early November.

We’ll keep you posted on the newest generation of hatchlings, what stages they are going through, and how they are fairing the weather all through the season. So when you come to visit, you’ll be up to speed on where to look out for these new families.

If you choose to come in the winter, we’ll keep you posted on the growing Eagle population as well.

There’s always some magnificent bird in Colonial Beach fighting for the spot light.