FLSRV.org To preserve and sustain the unique character of the Little Spokane River Valley, including it’s open space and natural setting. To maintain lower density zoning. To protect the area’s ecosystem including water quality, wetlands, priority habitat and wildlife, and dwindling native vegetation. To encourage the development of area parks and natural areas. To educate public officials of the concerns of the Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley, and be pro-active when major issues are at the forefront.    Welcome to the Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley Home Newsletters Trails FAQs Resources About Us Join Nesting Ospreys By Lindell Haggin - Photos courtesy of Jeanne Dammarell One of the special privileges of living in the Little Spokane River Valley is having the opportunity of watching Ospreys. The Osprey is a bird of prey whose main source of food is fish. At one time they were heading toward extinction due to the heavy use of DDT. The pesticide caused the eggshells to become so thin they would break under the weight of the adult as it tried to incubate it. Now we are fortunate enough to see them nesting successfully along the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. As their numbers increase and as Bald Eagles are also expanding their nesting range, trying to find a satisfactory nesting site can be more of a challenge. The preferred nesting site has a top that is flat enough to build a large nest on and is taller than any other nearby trees. They don’t want possible nest scavengers to have a perch from which to observe the nest. Over the years, Osprey have discovered that utility poles frequently fill both of these criteria. The one major drawback is that either the nesting material or the outstretched wings can on occasion reach across the span of wires resulting in either a fire in the nest and/or death of a bird. Since Osprey are protected under the Migratory Bird Act it is illegal to destroy an active nest. Avista works with Fish and Wildlife to try to replace nests built on utility poles with an alternative nesting pole placed in the same area. There was a very persistent Osprey pair that started nesting on a utility pole near the old Wandermere Bridge several years ago. After several successful nestings Avista tried putting up structures to deter the Osprey from nesting the following year. The Osprey succeeded in building another nest, in spite of the offending structures. Since this pole provided power to the waste water pump station Avista was quite concerned that power not be interrupted by a pole fire. After talking with both Wandermere Golf Course and Christian Life Church, it was decided to build a nesting platform on the north side of the river on the church property. They also put additional obstructions on the preferred utility pole. To humans the platform looks lovely. To Osprey there were too many trees towering over the platform and they rejected it outright. Instead the Osprey found another utility pole across the river from the platform. There is another Osprey nest on a utility pole near the Dartford Bridge which has caught fire at least once. We will hope that they are able to nest safely. It is truly a joy to watch Osprey dive in to the water to catch a fish. We even find fish heads on our lawn on occasion from the Osprey that dine in our Ponderosa Pine. Not many people can say that! News :: Keeping Pine River Park Open by Lance Pounder :: New Board Members Elected by Kirk Neumann :: Annual Meeting Held by Tina Wynecoop :: Pine River County Park by Doug Chase :: General Service Modifications for 2010 Park Season by Doug Chase :: Mt. Spokane, The Little Spokane River, Rock Cairn Vision Quest Sites and a Poem by Tina Wynecoop :: Membership by Harla Jean Biever :: Cleanup Day Report by Lance Pounder :: An Amazing CBC (Christmas Bird Count) Adventure Story by Jeanne Dammarell :: 2nd Annual Little Spokane River Artist Studio Tour by Hulda Bridgeman :: US Highway 2 to the Wandermere Vicinity North Spokane Corridor: Wall Architectural Treatment Favorite Views :: Some Beautiful Views Contributed By Members Birds :: 2009 Annual Meeting and Dinner/Auction by Tina Wynecoop :: Nesting Ospreys :: Dabblers, Divers, Murderers and Travelers: Birds of the INW Through March 15, 2009 Museum of Arts and Culture Goals :: Friends of Little Spokane River Valley Goals As Agreed to by the Board of Directors September 8, 1998 Geology :: Inland Northwest Geology Trails :: Trails Update by Lance Pounder :: Vandervert Trail by Tina Wynecoop :: North Spokane Corridor by Michael Kennedy :: Trees and Trails by Jim Ellis :: Finishing Touches on the Bridge by Lindell Haggin :: Trails by Martha Schaefer :: Art Work Drawings for Retaining Walls at Wandermere and Garden Avenue :: Trails Overview :: Haynes Estate Conservation Area Planting :: New Pedestrian-Bike Trail Needs Your Help To Find A Name :: 08 Trails Update :: Trails FAQs Favorite Books :: Readings about our Little Spokane River Valley Newsletters :: June 2010 Newsletter :: September 2009 - Fall Newsletter :: January 2009 - Winter Newsletter Enter your email to receive updates:     Home Newsletters Trails FAQs Resources About Us Join To subscribe our email list, send a message to: news-subscribe@flsrv.org To remove your address from the list, just send a message to: news-unsubscribe@flsrv.org © 2009 Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley admin| stats| email