Ospreys in Safety Harbor Get a New Home

A big, big, thanks to CSX for paying for the ospreys new platform and pole.

EagleWatch, Audubon Center for Birds of Prey Volunteer Barb Walker, worked with CXS who footed the bill to move an osprey nest in Safety Harbor January 28, 2011 from their rail road lights over the road to a newly installed platform.  Barb said "They have been WONDERFUL every step of the way! They showed up today to help with this conservation project and let us know that they will PAY for the pole and platform allowing us to install another pole and platform elsewhere!"

 

I was there to witness the relocatation the birds home.  The ospreys watched us the entire time.

 

The whole CSX and Powertown Line Construction crews clearly cared what happened to the osprey.

Casey Jones, as the osprey has become known as, is a railroad entheusiast.  We know that he was thrilled that his home has a perfect view of the tracks.  He is the envy of all of the birds in the neighborhood!  His new wife was flying around checking out their new digs before we ever left. 

We wish them a long and happy life together. 

Bad Storm on the Way could be harmful to eagles

There is a strong storm on its way to the Tampa Bay Area.  This is a bad time for a storm like this to hit.  Eagles have babies in the nest and most birds of prey have eggs.  If you know where eagle or osprey nests are, please try to check them after the storm.  If there are babies, call FWC at 888-404-3922 or me.  If they are alive and uninjured, call my cell - my followers have the number. We will transport them to The Center for Birds of Prey in Orlando for care.  If they are injured, they should be taken after hours to FVS at 3000 Busch Lake Rd.  If it is during office hours, in Tampa take them to FVS, in Brandon take them to Care Animal Hospital on Bloomingdale, in Poke take them to the vet on Drane Field road near FWC.

Ducks

Winter is the time of year to find all sorts of ducks in your neighborhood ponds.  These are hooded mergansers right at the end of my street.

Look closer next time you see a flock of ducks sitting in a pond or lake.  You might see one you've never seen before!

The Earl of Trout Creek

Basking in the sun, he guarded his corner.  All he needs to do is simply come out of the water and lay there, his corner is guarded.  The Earl’s territory is a tight L curve in Trout Creek, a small creek off the Hillsborough River. 

He welcomed in New Year’s Day 2011 warming his large body in the sun.  Three kayaks were coming up the creek right at him.  Suddenly they stopped and began to paddle backwards.  He could hear them trying to guess how long he is, 12 maybe 13 feet.  They kept making comments about what a big and beautiful alligator he is, just laying there in the sun.  They kept their distance and just turned around leaving him undisturbed.

He closed his eyes and smiled.

We had just met "The Earl of Trout Creek."