Esteemed tweeters,

Interesting messages regarding the Bellevue Ospreys and their tribulations
trying to construct a nest without the proper paperwork and zoning from the
City of Bellevue.

To answer Norm Menter of the Bellevue Parks Department's question whether
the birds will return next spring if the pole is moved and shortened now
(instead of waiting till October); given the upheaval the birds already
sustained (their nest on the crane repeatedly destroyed despite which they
accepted a newly placed pole nearby) I don't think shortening and moving the
pole over the next month will be reason for the birds to desert the area or
not come back next year. If anything the fact that the nest failed would be
more of a reason not to come back.

But, this is not an expert opinion and any action should be discussed /
cleared with Washinton State Department of Fish and Wildlife, call their
Regional Ofice in Mill Creek at 425 / 775-1311.

>From what I've seen over the years, I'd say even if one or both of this
year's birds do not return next year, it is very likely some Ospreys will be
back next spring. There's plenty food in Lake Washington, its nesting spots
that are in short demand. Nesting habitat or lack thereof is what is
limiting most native wildlife in this urbanized area of ours.

I applaud the construction company's initiative to place a pole for the
birds, without going through the application process with erection of a sign
and comment period etc., after which it would have been too late for the
birds to attempt to nest this year. As the events in May were happening I
heard all kinds of rumors about it ranging from the sublime to the
ridiculous (one person described how the nest with young in it had been
moved - not true-). As Michelle points out, those kind of activities are
illegal. My understanding is WSDFW has been consulted and involved all
along. Anyone from WSDFW out there?

The truly sad part of the story is:

>>>>Unfortunately, the pole didn't conform to local laws, and it blocked the
neighbors' view, resulting in several complaints.<<<<

I would kill to have an Osprey nest "blocking" my precious view of water and
mountains. It reminds me of the house that was built just outside Discovery
Park several years back. The kitchen window, facing west, had a perfect view
of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, with a snag in the foreground on
the bluff's edge. The Discovery Park Bald Eagles would bring their newly
fledged young to this tree, adding up to four perched Bald Eagles to the
picture of water and snow-capped mountains. Alas, the owners felt the tree
was blocking their view so they had it cut down. No more eagle perch along
that stretch of bluff. Incomprehensible, to put it mildly.

I am happy there are people around like the developer building houses near
the Yarrow Point wetland who sees the Bald Eagle nest on the adjacent public
property as an amenity and selling point (I rather have someone making a
buck off wildlife than destroying it). He worked with WSDFW to minimize the
impact of construction during the nesting season (adding the cost of the
18-month delay into the price of the houses). Despite several new houses
built outside the sensitive zone, two healthy eaglets fledged from that nest
recently.

As far as Toby Andrews' comment >>>>If any law was broken, charge
the Osprey with trespassing !!!!!<<<< I assume that was done with
tongue-in-cheek.

Martin Muller, Seattle
MartinMuller at email.msn.com