Baby Osprey Makes Home Above Port of San Diego Tidelands

Monday, 15 June 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

The Port of San Diego's Environmental Department captured images of the first Osprey chick born in special nesting platforms constructed along the tidelands. The chick is believed to be six- to eight-weeks old and has been seen interacting with its parents on the entrance road to Pepper Park in National City.

The Port's General Services Department constructed the Osprey nesting platform in April 2007. Environmental Services Assistant Director Eileen Maher said the birds were first seen on the platform back in December of 2007. They actually began nesting about year later. The chick most likely hatched sometime in late-March or early April.

The osprey is a large, migratory raptor with a wingspan reaching around five and a half feet. The species was once abundant in California but has been reduced over the years. Ospreys are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, a domestic law that affirms the United States' commitment to four international conventions for the protection of a shared migratory bird resource.

The birds feed mainly on fish and build their enormous nests near water and often on top of utility poles.

The nesting platform is one of five set up by the Port around the Big Bay®. The Chula Vista Wildlife Reserve, at the Coronado Golf Course, Imperial Beach at 13th Street and Shelter Island near the Friendship Bell are home to the other platforms. The Port has placed interpretive signs at each nesting platform site to educate the public on the importance of the protected species. ( Port_Osprey_Sign (1.12 MB))

The platforms consist of a single pole, between 10 and 15 feet in height, topped with a platform that is approximately four feet wide.

There are many species of wildlife that call San Diego Bay home. The Port invites the public to learn more about the plants and animals using our customized Google Earth download.