Across the street from the New Suffolk post office, an osprey couple has once again taken up residence on a platform erected in a small nature preserve with a view of Peconic Bay.
The platform sat empty for several years until last spring, when a nesting pair discovered it and made it their home. And now they’ve returned.
On a recent sunny day, the birds were busy building up their nest with twigs, grasses and what appears to be a dog leash. Osprey are known for grabbing just about anything they can find to pad their nests: rope, kids’ toys, shells and in one Minnesota nest, a lacy black bra.
Osprey are notoriously wary of anyone approaching their homes and if they feel threatened they will fly away from their nests, exposing their eggs or babies to danger. They emit a high-pitched chirp if someone ventures too close; a warning to stay back. This photograph was taken with a powerful telephoto lens, from a car parked some distance away.
