Osprey Cam Back Story
In the spring of 2023 the “Wave on the Blue Apartments” project at 700 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne ran into an unforeseen challenge – compliments of a nesting pair of osprey birds of prey seeking a place to establish a new residence. These adventurous birds found the construction crane to be a nice, elevated location where they could build a new nest, very close to the Blue River. Osprey are known as the “River Hawks” and fishing is their primary food source.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to discourage the osprey couple’s nest building, it was determined through community interest that a new location for the nest was needed to keep them thriving and the project moving along. In partnership with the Tuft Construction and Development team (the developers of the Wave on the Blue apartment complex), Xcel Energy donated and installed a pole behind the Dillon Ranger Station at 680 Blue River Parkway in Silverthorne. The Tuft Construction team and Colorado Parks and Wildlife built a nesting platform mounted atop the pole hoping for a smooth transition for our feathered Osprey friends to find a new, safe place to call home.
Do the Osprey Like Their New Home?
They do! In the Spring of 2024, we were overjoyed and relieved to confirm that the Osprey couple had returned to their nest on their new perch.
Here at the US Forest Service and Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, we got excited about the unique opportunity for the community to observe these unique birds via a solar-powered nest cam. Numerous ecological factors were considered while planning this project. Ultimately wildlife biologists with the US Forest Service, specialists from Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and experts with the US Fish & Wildlife Service determined that the nest cam project would have no negative impact on the birds that now call this new nest “home”.
We hope you enjoy viewing our new neighbors as much as we do!
Thank you to all Summit County community members who have supported this project, and to all who continue to support this project with financial donations to the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District. The Osprey appreciate you too!
