Current Nature: Eyes To The Sky, Ospreys Are Returning
Libby Buck, Conservation Science And Land Steward At The Linda Loring Nature Foundation. •
If you have driven down Polpis Road or out toward Madaket in the spring, you’re probably familiar with a particular sight. You glance up at impressive nest of intricately woven sticks, perched on a platform or tucked into the top of a tree, and you look to see if someone is home. Very soon, they will be. Our Nantucket Ospreys are on their way back!
Every March, the Ospreys return from their wintering grounds and reclaim nests across the island. Some nests are on tall platforms that people have installed over the years. Others are built naturally, up high in pines or other trees. You often hear them before you see them, that sharp whistling call carrying across the marsh or the water. The Ospreys are truly one of the most recognizable sounds of spring, finally arriving.
Last year marked the first official season of the Nantucket Osprey Watch, and the response from the community was incredible.
Together, we found and monitored 50 nest sites across the island and documented 44 chicks successfully fledging. To learn more about last year and see the full list of results, check out the 2025 Report. For the first year, that is something to celebrate. Now, we are building on that momentum.
The Nantucket Osprey Watch is designed to be simple and fun for the community. If you see an Osprey nest and notice activity, like an adult building a nest, or spot chicks, you can submit a quick online nest check form. It takes just a few minutes.
If you come across a nest that is not yet on our list, you can report a new nest online as well. If you’re not sure, you can explore our interactive map to see all 50 monitored nests sites across the island and follow updates throughout the season.
Each observation helps us follow the story of our Ospreys from the moment they return in March to the day their chicks take their first flight.
We can see which nests are active, when eggs hatch, how many chicks grow up successfully, and how each season comes to an end. Over time, that gives us a clear picture of how our Osprey population is faring year after year.
It really is that simple. If you are out for a walk, driving down Polpis Road, biking out to Madaket, or heading to the beach, and you notice the Ospreys, take a second and report what you see. When people share a small piece of what they notice, those everyday moments add up to something powerful. Together, these observations create a living record of Nantucket’s Ospreys and tell the story of their nesting activity across the island.
If you missed our Osprey Watch volunteer zoom training on March 12th, you can rewatch the recording here. We went over everything you need to get set up for a successful season! And if you would like to learn more about what we documented in the 2025 season and explore the deeper history of Ospreys on Nantucket, we will be hosting a virtual Science Pub on March 30th at 5pm. Registration is free and required for both events. All details, along with our nest check form, new nest reporting form, and our interactive map can be found at LLNF.org. Be sure to visit the Nantucket Osprey Watch page and join us this spring.
Osprey season is about to begin. Let’s get more eyes to the sky!
Stay tuned for more editions of Current Nature, a bi-weekly column featuring seasonal topics, natural history information, and advice on the outdoors from the staff at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation.