There are multiple Osprey nests on cell towers in SW Snohomish County (and probably at many other locations). What I have observed is the cell companies remove the nests about every three years. The Osprey pairs return and rebuild. Fingers crossed that this Kitsap pair waits out the nest removal and just starts to rebuild. In the long-term, an alternate nest site would be ideal, even if it doesn't work out for the near term. One of our cell tower nests is along Hwy 99 near Ballinger Park. I have often thought the placement of a nest tower there would be compatible with park development objectives (more of a nature park) and would put the Ospreys a bit closer to Lake Ballinger, which is one of their feeding sites and really no further away from the Sound. It would take some dealing with Mountlake Terrace Parks and a search for funding a nest tower.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA