2026 Nesting Season: First Look
2026 Nesting Season: First Look
This year's Osprey season is udnerway at Parker River NWR, now with six monitored nesting platforms — two more than last year, including a new site in the Plum Island River area. Early checks have turned up nestlings at the Plum Island Turnpike and Cross Farm Hill platforms, though a couple of nests elsewhere have been deserted. More updates to come as the season progresses.
The 2026 Osprey nesting season Parker River National Wildlife Refuge brings an expanded platform network to keep an eye on. Two platforms have been added this season, bringing the total to six monitored nesting platforms across the refuge:
- The north end site near the former Pink House, also known as the Plum Island Turnpike platform
- A new platform in the Plum Island River area
- Two platforms at the Great Salt Marsh (Plumbush Salt Marsh) on Plum Island
- The platform near the Pines Trail
- The platform across from Cross Farm Hill, on the refuge's south end
Early Season Notes
It's still early in the season, and nestlings can be difficult to spot from the ground, so this first report is a partial picture rather than a full census. Here's what our monitors have observed so far:
- One nestling spotted at the Plum Island Turnpike (former Pink House) nest
- Two nestlings spotted at the Cross Farm Hill nest
- One of the nests in the Plum Island River area has been deserted
- One of the two nests at the Great Salt Marsh has also been deserted
- All other nests currently have adult Osprey in attendance
As always at this stage, predation and other natural pressures can still affect outcomes, so these early numbers may shift as the season progresses. We'll share updates as our monitors gather more data.
Thank You to Our Partners
As always, this monitoring program is made possible through the dedicated work of Essex County Greenbelt, which built the nesting platforms, coordinates the monitoring project, bands the young, and manages the data behind these reports — along with our volunteer field observers on the ground.
Parker River's Ospreys Conclude a Successful 2025 Nesting Season
Parker River's Ospreys Conclude a Successful 2025 Nesting Season
The 2025 Osprey nesting season at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has concluded with a resounding success. The skies above the salt marsh were busy this summer, with four of the five monitored nesting platforms successfully fledging a total of eight young birds. This outcome underscores the Refuge's importance as a vital habitat for these magnificent fish-eating raptors.
This success is a testament to the ongoing conservation efforts in the region. A special credit is due to the Essex County Greenbelt, which constructed all the platforms, coordinates the dedicated monitoring project, bands the young, and manages the invaluable data that makes these reports possible.
Page updated
Report abuse