Successful osprey nest relocation at Hastings Point

23 March 2023

Three osprey in their new nest at Hastings Point

Earlier this month, Council staff successfully relocated the Hastings Point osprey nest material from its location on a light pole on the Hastings Point Tweed Coast Road Bridge, to a new nest cradle located a stone’s throw away at the Hastings Point Holiday Park.

The mission was challenging due to the height of the nest, and its exposed location right next to the busy road. The nest material was carefully transferred to the new nest cradle and it’s good news - the birds have relocated and are looking comfortably set up in their new ‘room with a view’.

Council’s team leader coast and waterways Tom Alletson has now breathed a sigh of relief seeing the birds using the new nest.

“The old nest and beams that supported it were hanging on by a thread so the timing was right to move the nest. We are relieved they have taken to the new nest so well,” Mr Alletson said.

“These iconic but vulnerable birds have a better chance of nesting safely for the upcoming breeding season.

“We are doing everything we can to protect osprey to ensure they have a future in this beautiful region,” he said. “As top order predators they remind us that we need to protect our waterways from the top of the catchment all the way to the coast.  They rely on a healthy ecosystem to thrive and breed.”

The original osprey nest above the Hastings Point bridge collapsed in late 2021. Council installed a new pole and nest cradle for the osprey at the Hastings Point Holiday Park in 2022 however, before this work could be completed, the birds rebuilt their nest on the old pole on the bridge.

The old nest above the Hastings Point bridge had to be taken down due to it being poorly supported by old timbers with little surface area, presenting a risk to eggs or chicks, and pedestrians below.

Protecting the Tweed Coast osprey population is one way Council is looking after the Tweed’s environment for future generations to enjoy.

Find out how Council looks after the Tweed’s coast and waterways 

Image: The local osprey at Hastings Point have taken to their new nest at a safer site nearby. Three osprey were recently captured enjoying their new nest with a birds-eye view of Cudgera Creek to catch the best fish. Credit: Sally Hinton 

 

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