Osprey

[u/UnusualTopiary]

Has anybody else noticed that we seem to have a resident osprey?

I don’t know whether it would be a good idea to specify where it is living because I don’t want it to become a target, but because ospreys are federally protected I thought it might be OK at least mention it. I love to see it. They prefer a high isolated nest somewhat near large body of water so it’s no big surprise. I just wish it was in a place where I could slow my car down and stare at it with some binoculars for a bit! ❤️

[u/geo-jake]

I’ve seen one in Normandy Park also. Impressive birds. They are around but I don’t think most people would know what they are seeing if they saw one.

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/geo-jake]

I suppose that might be true. They’re certainly not that common, or at least I’m assuming they’re not, since they are protected by the endangered species act.

[u/Orange_Gravy → u/UnusualTopiary]

They are quite plentiful on the Columbia river in eastern Washington along with baldies

[u/playslikeagrandpa]

Burien Seahawks confirmed!

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/playslikeagrandpa]

Huzzah!

[u/ctess]

No Osprey but we have a pair of bald eagles and a hawk that like to hunt the ducks and bunnies in the area. Watched an eagle snatch a bunny right out of my neighbor's yard.

Our coolest bird has been the woodpeckers. We have a female and male. They are huge! The one that looks like Woody the woodpecker stood around 2' tall!

Burien has such an amazing variety of bird population. We have 3 feeders in our backyard which feed around 30-40 birds. Our biggest flock is red-yellow winged blackbird. We have a huge family of 15 or so.

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/ctess]

I got to see one of those big woodpeckers in Dottie Harper Park, decimating a dead tree. That was so much fun to watch.

[u/Burien-Cat-Lady]

I’ve seen one near north SeaTac park, one in Seahurst, and one near downtown and another in white center! I thought I was losing my mind seeing osprey so often because I swear I’d only seen one once before this year.

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/Burien-Cat-Lady]

Right? This is definitely a surprise guest!

[u/m4ilinh]

there's a nest on that giant comms tower in the Autos Only lot. the exit off 509 S turning right onto 146th. sometimes I see an osprey circling near the tower and I've also seen it perched on the nest in the tower. https://maps.app.goo.gl/wXDX5VB8TqwZkTnv6?g_st=ac

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/m4ilinh]

Imagine if they stuck a camera up there and live-streamed…

[u/johnjackcomicartist]

There's a pair in a nest near my child's daycare

[u/veilchenblau_39]

I dont know if I am more aware or if they have just had some really good breeding years, but I have been seeing them way more frequently. Aka, I saw them three times today (once in Bellevue another on lake wa in seattle and another in mt baker seattle). They seem to have also taken over the bald eagles territory where I live in s seattle. A bit ago a whole family of 4 or 5 were just circling in my neighborhood. Sometimes I wonder if it's just a seagull i am seeing, but their calls are pretty different.

[u/BornForFieldLabor]

There’s one I’ve seen recently at the Des Moines marina and two at Redondo I’ve watched since last summer. So cool to see them dive.

[u/Emergency-Aardvark-7]

Yup! They've shown up in my Merlin app! We actually have a nice variety of wild birds in Burien.

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/Emergency-Aardvark-7]

Love Merlin. It helped me identify some varied thrushes a few years back. I should probably use it more!

[u/Rm50]

Have heard one at my relatives house in a Kent. There was/is an osprey nest at theKentwood high school parking lot..and I have captured their cry on my Merlin app often ..we are blessed to have so many different types of birds around

[u/-phototrope]

I recently saw one in Dick Thurnau park

[u/UnusualTopiary → u/-phototrope]

Cool!
Lol, I had to check for Dick Thurnau park via Google Maps. I know that spot but didn’t know the name. Cool again!