This spring I joined the Friends of Alameda Wildlife Reserve (FAWR), a Conservation Committee of the Golden Gate Bird Alliance (formerly Audubon). The work that I signed up to do was to monitor two nests in Alameda as part of a larger monitoring effort of over 50 osprey nests here in the Bay Area.
To start, I spent a wonderful spring day with Leora Feeny, a seasoned Alameda birdwatcher and founder of FAWR, with decades of experience. Leora’s passion for Alameda’s birdlife is evident, as she shared her wealth of knowledge with me. Her expertise became invaluable as she drove me around and introduced me to two active osprey nests.
I visited the two pairs of ospreys at least twice a week throughout the spring and summer. It was so engaging to watch them build their nests and later sit on a clutch of eggs. One pair sat faithfully at the Encinal Basin. Often the male would bring the female a fish, which they would enjoy together.
Late in the spring, crows and ravens became frequent visitors, posing a threat to the osprey nests. I watched in awe as the ospreys fiercely defended their homes, although it appeared that the corvids eventually raided the nests. Undeterred, both ospreys demonstrated remarkable resilience by rebuilding their nests.
I couldn’t help but wonder if they would lay more eggs. By the end of the summer, though, the Encinal Basin osprey had both flown off.
At the Seaplane Lagoon, a second osprey nest yielded more successful results. They were using a nesting perch that had been constructed near the jetty, offering a clear view of the female tending to her eggs while the male stood guard below.
The male also would bring her fish on a regular basis. I often saw him diving into the water and successfully bringing large fish back to the nest. The female would accept the gift. She usually did not share it. It was heartwarming to see the fluffy heads of three little osprey chicks emerging from the nest in mid-June.
This pair was lucky. There weren’t other birds going after their eggs. I did watch the osprey pair chase pelicans and seagulls at times, maybe more because of the competition for fish.
What I had not expected was the sense of community that emerged from my osprey-watching adventures. I connected with fellow bird enthusiasts, such as Rick Lewis, who generously shared his incredible photos. Meeting the local fishermen who frequented the Seaplane Lagoon area added a unique dimension to my bird-watching experience. I met a very dedicated birdwatcher named Hayward who has been watching these birds for several years. He shared his experiences, helping me see how these birds have been nesting right here in Alameda without me ever knowing they were nearby.
My season with the ospreys in Alameda left me feeling grateful that these beautiful birds can successfully coexist with us. It is incredible how a commitment to monitoring these magnificent birds can lead to unexpected friendships, shared stories, and profound connections with nature. I am grateful to be part of this remarkable bird-watching community.
To learn more about ospreys nesting in the Bay Area, Bay Nature recently published a fascinating article entitled, “Meet the Urban Osprey.” The Golden Gate Bird Alliance also has a San Francisco Bay Osprey Camera on a nesting pair in Richmond, California, which is fun to watch online during nesting season.
Patricia Williamson is a member of Golden Gate Bird Alliance. Patricia taught science in Alameda schools for 35 years and holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from UC Davis. She has led numerous habitat restoration and environmental science trips with youth collaborating with organizations like Save the Bay and East Bay Regional Park District.
This is part of a series of articles coordinated by the Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Reserve (FAWR), a Conservation Committee of Golden Gate Bird Alliance.
