Osprey Platform in Guilford Repaired

On October 13, Menunkatuck's Terry Shaw repaired this Osprey platform along the West River just south of the Jared Eliot Preserve in Guilford.

Although all four supports looked good from 100 yards, three of them weren't attached at ground level and two of them were separated.

From a distance the support looked OK. However, it was not attached to the support post.

Four new support posts were driven into he marsh 4' deep with our custom driver (two minutes each!). The posts are 5' long with one foot above ground.The braces were through bolted to the original supports with 1/2" galvanized bolts.

One of the side boards was removed and a new one installed. The sheet metal predator guard will be replaced later.

Because the original nest was so large that it made the platform too top heavy, about 70% of the nesting material was removed.

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Next up is a platform across the West River just south of the Guilford Yacht Club. This one is in such bad repair that it will be replaced. If you can volunteer to help, please let us know. Email terry@menunkatuck.org. And do not forget that we still need the locations of Osprey platforms in the area. Complete the survey at http://goo.gl/X1igQg

We also need financial support for these repairs. We have received a generous donation that will cover most of the replacement costs for what we call the GYC platform. There are many other platforms that will need fixing before the Ospreys return in March. Mail your check to Menunkatuck Audubon Society, PO Box 214, Guilford, CT 06437. You can also donate on line at JustGIve