In the winter of 2007-2008, Friends’ Board member Sue Schumacher contacted the American Transmission Company to find out if they would erect Osprey nesting platforms around the Cedarburg Bog during their winter work period in the area. Osprey, also known as Fish Hawks, are one of the species of birds of prey that were hit hard by DDT use.
On March 4, 2008, this platform was raised at the south end of the Bog near Mud Lake, one of five that were put up in the area. Before the pole was raised, some big branches were stapled to the platform — a “starter nest” to make it more attractive to the Osprey.
Five weeks later, Osprey were occupying one of the platforms, and the two young they fledged from that nest were the first known to have been produced in Ozaukee County in a century. The nest continues to be used.
