On patrol: Osprey move on, Cormorants move in

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As we tied up in Ossining Saturday, Sept. 19, after 10 days under way, an Osprey landed on a piling right behind our slip at Westerly Marina, and had his dinner.

It’s always a thrill to be in such close proximity to these wild creatures.

Every spring we look the Osprey couple that nests atop a light in the Hudson River. This season, two chicks appeared before the family headed back south.

On Monday, Sept. 21, we passed the nest while running south from Ossining check the Tappan Zee Bridge construction site and investigate a case in Flushing Bay. This time, Cormorants were sitting in the nest – something that would never happen with the Ospreys around.

It’s wonderful to see the Osprey chicks mature and to know that they are migrating down the coast on their first adventure. We’ll look forward to seeing the couple again next year and raise new chicks once again.

UPDATE, Sept. 23: We’re still seeing the Ospreys along the shoreline, though not at the nest. It appears they are roosting in trees along the shore before heading south.

Learn more and follow the Osprey’s Journey from Jamaica Bay at this website.

See more photos from our Hudson River patrols at Riverkeeper’s Instagram page and by using hashtag #followtheboat on social media.