1st Osprey Sighting & More to Record

As the morning mist was just beginning to clear, he spotted it: the first Osprey to return to Fishers Island.

JR Edwards takes the prize for the Henry L. Ferguson Museum 2026 First Osprey Award, having earned the first sighting at 7:15 am on March 19th as the Osprey claimed the Chapman nest near Middle Farms Pond Trail. In honor of this achievement, he (JR, not the Osprey) will receive a gift certificate to the Museum store and a year’s worth of bragging rights. 

Only an hour later, Karl Eiriksson earned the second-place spot when he saw two Osprey claiming a platform nest. A big congratulations to Karl as well. 

On behalf of the Fishers Island Community and the H. L. Ferguson Museum, thank you to the following Island businesses and individuals for their help in upgrading, replacing, and supporting the growing Osprey nesting population on the island:

• Pirates Cove Marina — Billy Wall and his staff for building and donating platforms
• Race Rock Garden Co. — replacing the platform at the Dewey property 
• Fishers Island Electric Co. — lowering the platform at South Beach and installing a replacement pole and platform on Castle Road
• Fishers Island Telephone Co. — installing the Osprey Cam
• Jim Baker and John Peishoff for clearing growth around poles and installing wrapping to prevent predation
• Ken Edwards, Sr. for monitoring nests

Please let Ken Edwards, at (860) 912-3205, know of additional sightings as the birds start returning to their nests on Fishers. If possible, please take a photo to document your sighting and its location.

A collection of Osprey nest maintenance work. Photos captured by Jim Baker.
Click any image to see a larger version.