Osprey Nest Platform Installation

Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 12:00

In a joint project with the Chippewa Valley Audubon Club, we will be erecting an Osprey nesting platform on the Schaftenaar Tract of the Hall's Lake Natural Area.

After being nearly lost as a breeding bird in Michigan, Osprey has been brought back from the brink, but remains listed as a Species of Special Concern in the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. The nearest known nesting pair to Isabella County was a pair that was featured on a Ferris State Univerity webcam last year as they successfully fledged two young in a nest atop a light pole in a campus parking area! Osprey have been observed frequently in the western part of Isabella County.

Join us to help, or simply to watch, as we erect a post and platform near Hall's Lake, just east of the Mecosta County line, designed to attract an Osprey pair to the area. If it all works, visitors will have great closeup views of the nest as the cycle of life occurs.

Meet at the west side of the Hall's Lake Natural Area, at the end of Fowler Drive, at 11:45 a.m. for a short hike to the installation site.

Preserve Focus

Sylvan Solace Preserve

The oldest and most accessible of our preserves was donated in 1996 by Dr. Don and Nancy Nagler. It consists of 78 Acres in Deerfield Township, Isabella County. The north end of the preserve contains old fields rapidly transitioning to forest cover. The area contains more than 40 bluebird nest boxes that have hosted Eastern Bluebird, House Wren, Tree Swallow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Great Crested Flycatcher, and even flying squirrel.