New park platform could attract raptor couples

Love might be in the air — literally — at Middlefork Reservoir, where a newly installed raptor nest platform is hoping to attract some high-flying bird couples looking to settle down.

Richmond Parks and Recreation Superintendent Denise Retz said the project to build the 5’x5′ platform was a combined effort. Lowe’s donated lumber and Richmond Power & Light supplied the utility pole and installation labor.

Retz said the platform design was one of many chosen for its overall stability, size, availability to later add cameras to monitor activity, and what’s considered best practice for the birds that might potentially use it as a home.

Osprey are most likely to choose the platform, but bald eagles and other hawks might like it too. Bald eagles are occasionally photographed at the reservoir on Sylvan Nook Drive near Reid Health.

“The hope is that once a mated couple decide to use the platform, it will give people the opportunity to safely view the birds, and begin to connect with and learn more about the natural world around them, especially here in Richmond,” Retz said.

Retz shared a few facts she’s gathered about the new potential tenants. For instance:

• Ospreys and bald eagles will reuse and add to their nest year after year, and will keep the same mate as well.
• Ospreys tend to start nesting in Indiana in March/April, while bald eagles begin nesting here in December/January.
• Bald eagles take months to build their initial nests, which can weigh thousands of pounds. Ospreys tend to take up to two weeks and have much lighter nests, weighing 200-300 pounds.
• Females are larger than males in both species.
• According to the American Eagle Foundation, “Eagles are unlikely to be disturbed by routine use of roads, homes or other facilities where such use was present before an eagle pair nested in a given area. For instance, if eagles were to build a nest near an existing home, cabin or place of business, it would not likely affect the nest or eaglets.”