Clarks Hill WMA: Osprey Nest Stands

On our way back from South Carolina, we checked out several roads into the Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area in McDuffie County, Georgia.

We drove out to the lake shore of J Strom Thurman Reservoir on the Savannah River and saw…

this stand. First thought, at this time of year when the hunting season is starting, was that they were deer stands but the location was wrong; they wouldn’t be out in the open like this. It only took a couple of minutes to realize that these were Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nest stands. There were five of them in a row along the shoreline.

this one, and…

this one, and…

these two.

Sadly, there was no evidence – nest materials in the stands – that these stands had been used this season. They look a little the worse for wear. We’ll check back next year to see if there’s any activity – just in case.
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Identification resources:
- All about Birds: Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)