An Osprey family at Queens Lake are settling into their new purposely-built home after their nest recently fell down in a storm.
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The Ospreys’ unofficial caretaker Ian Barnyard lives on Queens Lake and considers the birds as his pets.
“They are cheaper to keep than a dog, you don’t need to take them to the vet or feed them,” he said.
When the Ospreys’ nest came down out of the tree on Monday, October 15 Ian alerted Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and MNC Trees to the issue.
On Tuesday, October 23 MNC Trees staff climbed and re-constructed a platform for the Ospreys, so they could have the opportunity to rebuild their nest.
Ian has known the breeding pair of Ospreys for the last 10 years.
Over that period of time, Ian has watched the couple produce offspring and witnessed the babies leave the nest after about a year.
At the moment there are four members of the Osprey family who are at the location; the mum, dad, their newest chick and another chick who has recently returned.
Over the years Ian has helped the Ospreys secure their nest in trees.
This is the second time a platform has been purposely built so the Ospreys have somewhere permanent to establish their nest.
“The nests often come down due to the sheer size of it and because it can become heavy with water,” Ian said.
Ian said it could take about a fortnight before the Ospreys fully adapt to their new home.
Ian was a keen birdwatcher before he moved to the Queens Lake area and he loves talking to people who walk past on the path.
“Each year I estimate that between 600 and 1000 people stop to check on the birds and their progress,” he said.