Did you know that Lincoln City boasts more nesting Osprey pairs than any other coastal town in Oregon?

In the summer of 2017, the Oregon Legislature declared the Osprey as Oregon's State Raptor. Hear the call of the Osprey (https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/36/play)

Lincoln City alone has at least eleven Osprey pairs nesting this year (see map inset)! One of the nests is in the broken top of a huge tree in Nesika Park, Lincoln City’s newest park. Because their diet is fish, they always nest near water sources such as the ocean, lakes, and rivers. Osprey winter in the south, and come north to breed.

"Some Ospreys that breed in Oregon begin returning from the wintering grounds in late Feb and early Mar, but the large influx generally starts near the first day of spring (20 Mar) and continues over the next several weeks. Older experienced breeders generally arrive first, younger breeders a few weeks later (Poole 1985). Established pairs nearly always return to their old nest sites." (Source: Birds of Oregon, Marshall, Hunter, and Contreras, c 2003)

Osprey Fun Facts:

• Osprey plumage feels dense and oily giving them an advantage when plunging in water
• Like other raptors, they have a nictitating membrane to protect their eyes when diving in the water
• Like water birds, they have membranes that help close off their nostrils.
• Their legs are bare of feathers and the bottoms of their feet are covered with short rough spines (like course sandpaper) for hanging on to fish
• Their talons are long, curved, and needle sharp
• They have a reversible outer toe that swings back and for to help hold fish
• Osprey feed exclusively on fish, usually twice a day. When sharing food with female the male will often bring her a fish with the head missing

Fun Facts provided by Caren Willoughby, Education Coordinator of Audubon Society of Lincoln City. Map with the 10 area nests Lincoln City Oregon Osprey - Google My Maps

• List of Audubon Society Bird Walks in LC Open Spaces

This information was compiled due to a partnership with the Audubon Society of Lincoln City.