The Central Coast has the highest number of breeding pairs of Osprey that it has ever had, with 13 pairs currently attending to nests.
Following a decline in the species, in the 1970s the Osprey population in northern NSW began to thrive and the birds have been breeding and expanding their range southwards ever since.
Initially scheduled as threatened fauna, they have now become the second most common raptor, after the White-breasted Sea-Eagle.
Allan Benson of the Central Coast Group of Birding NSW said there were no nesting attempts in the combined Wyong and Gosford local government areas until 1996 when a pair was found nesting in Kincumber Meadows near Bensville, in a dead tree.
“The nest failed but nesting was attempted the following year again without success,” Benson said.
“Nesting was then attempted in a dead tree near Lees Reserve, Chittaway, from 2002-2004 with some success but that tree eventually fell down and the birds then moved elsewhere.
“The first regular successful nesting site was at the Erina Works Depot’s Communications Tower.
“To prevent damage to the communications structures, staff constructed a special nesting platform, attached to the tower.
“The birds have nested there since and have been successful on many occasions.
“At one point a camera was attached to the nest site so staff could check on the nesting success but that camera has not been operational for some years.
“A similar artificial nesting structure was erected at Industree Group Stadium, in a position where sticks and branches no longer fell on patrons watching football matches.”
The 13 nesting pairs have been recorded at Erina Works Depot, Kincumber Sewage Treatment Plant, Industree Group Stadium, Hylton Moore Oval, Mingara Athletics Field, The Entrance Bridge site in a Norfolk Island Pine closest to the bridge near the boat hire wharf, Harry Moore Oval at Toukley, Tunkawallin Oval at Gwandalan, Terrigal CBD, Communications Tower Ocean Dr in Woy Woy, Communications Tower at Lake Munmorah, Communications Tower at Halekelani, and Riley’s Island Nature Reserve.
The Terrigal nest is on the back of a private crane, with the birds active in bringing sticks to nest.
It is understood that NPWS has provided information to the builder who owns/operates the crane.
But Benson warns that this does not mean there will be 13 successful nesting attempts, with the nests subject to predation.
“Wedge-tailed Eagles and or Sea-Eagles may take the young; Whistling Kites, ravens and crows may steal the eggs or take the small chicks or hassle the adults so much as to make them abandon the nest,” he said.
“Heavy rain and hail could damage eggs and/or kill the young but some young are sure to survive ensuring the increase of the Osprey population.”
Source:
Allan Benson