How to Build an Osprey Perch Platform

Ospreys are large hawks, roughly the same size as eagles. They eat fish and tend to nest near the ocean or large lakes. Ospreys have a unique hunting style. They seem to float over water, riding the air currents. When they spy a fish, they dive into the water feet first to catch them. They are the only member of the hawk family with opposing toes, similar to owls. This enables the osprey to hold onto fish as they carry their prey back to the nest.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 2-inch by 4-inch lumber
  • Saw
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • 3-foot by 3-foot chain link fence
  • Staples, 1 1/2-inches
  • Drill with 1/4-inch carbide bit
  • 2 galvanized pipes 6-feet long, 1-inch diameter
  • 4 carriage bolts, 8-inches with nuts
  • 8-inch diameter pole sunk in the ground
  • 12-inch carriage bolt with nut
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure four 3-foot sections of 2-inch by 4-inch lumber. Cut each piece. Use a manual or circular saw, whichever you prefer.

    • 2

      Nail the ends of the wood together to form a 3-foot square box.

    • 3

      Lay the chain link fence over the top of the box. Pound the staples into the box frame to secure the fencing to the box.

    • 4

      Cut a 6-foot section of 2-inch by 4-inch lumber. Nail the board across the center of the box over the fencing. Center the board so that 18-inches extend on either side of the box. This is the base of your perch.

    • 5

      Drill a hole through the base 4 inches from the end of the base extension. Start the hole through the 2-inch face of the lumber so that the final hole will be 4 inches long through the lumber. Repeat on the other side.

    • 6

      Drill a hole through both galvanized pipes at the center. Drill a second hole through both walls of the pipe 2 inches from one end of each steel pipe.

    • 7

      Insert a bolt through the steel pipe and the brace. Place the nut on the bolt and tighten. Leave the bolt loose enough that the pipe freely rotates against the brace. Repeat with the other side of the brace. Place the pipes on opposite sides of the brace.

    • 8

      Rotate the entire perch so that the base is on the bottom.

    • 9

      Lift the perch to the top of the pole. Osprey prefer to nest and perch 10 feet to 12 feet off the ground. You can use abandoned utility poles or even flagpoles if the pole is strong enough. You can sink 6 feet to 8 feet of a 20-foot pole in the ground if you wish.

    • 10

      Measure the width of the pole. Purchase a carriage bolt that is the width of the pole plus three inches. Purchase a nut to match.

    • 11

      Rotate the pipes so that the drilled holes are at the bottom. Center the drilled holes on the pipes to the pole. Drill a hole through the pole where the pipes intersect. Insert the long carriage bolt through one pipe, then through the pole, then through the second pipe. Attach the nut and tighten to secure. Tighten the nuts holding the pipes to the base of the perch.