Osprey in the Outer Banks

Osprey Watching in the Outer Banks

After the chill of winter fades, the return of the Osprey each year to the Outer Banks is a welcome sight-worthy of a celebration and a new nest.

These remarkable birds are known for their loyalty, exceptional fishing skills and creative nesting behaviors. They return to the same nest year after year, continuously adding to and reinforcing their structures. The pole across the street from our house stood empty, the original nest lost in a storm. In effort to encourage the birds’ return, we crafted a nest of branches and twigs. One of us, ( not me, I needed to photograph this event) wading into the chilly waters and up the ladder to secure the nest. Success followed. A male and female Osprey (after a long courtship) has taken up residence in the Albermarle Sound, across from our house in Duck, NC.

They have a distinctive “black bandit” mask and fierce yellow eyes. Their chicks are hatched with orange eyes, which gradually shift to the bright yellow of adulthood. Each season the female lays between one and three eggs, which hatch mid May (ish). Both parents sharing the responsibility of feeding their young until mid-August, at which point they migrate south-leaving their offspring to learn survival on their own.

Perched atop the food chain, Ospreys reign over the water, often seen hunting near the Duck Research Pier, a favorite spot for both human and raptors alike.

The birds seem unbothered by human presence, at times choosing unlikely nesting spots, like the top of a parking lot light pole, (One such nest sits above the Timbuck ll shopping center in Corolla, NC) For the most part, Osprey watching is great event to add to your Outer Banks vacation.

We have spotted a few empty poles just north of Duck that could use a little help- in need of repair. Our hope is to rebuild them in time for next spring, encouraging the Osprey to return to these more natural sites.