Bird Talk - Ospreys

Did you know that Bloomfield Township now has a nesting pair of Ospreys (a bird of prey that catches fish for its food)? Check out the red and white cell communications tower at the township offices. Halfway up is a big stick nest, home to the Osprey parents, who bring fish in their talons to their chicks in the nest. It's lucky that we have many lakes with fish in the area! (We've had Bald Eagles nest in the township before, but never an Osprey.)

There are three other easily observable, occupied Osprey nests in the area. One nest is on a tower in the NW corner of M-5 and 14 Mile Rd. (part of Robert Long Park, but visible from the road). Another nest is in the NW corner of I-96 and the Kent Lake Rd. exit on a light pole (again visible from the road). The third is in Kensington Metropark, on a specially built nesting platform in the water, but visible from the north park road. You have to come in the Milford Rd. entrance (or come in from I-96 and drive north through the park), and there is an entrance fee, but you can sit in your car by the side of the road and watch the Ospreys. You'll probably see a crowd of birders taking pictures, so it is easy to find.

Blanche Wicke, July 2021