Osprey, the “Sea Hawk”
(Pandion haliaetus)
Prior to 2013, Photographers had been taking photos of a very active osprey nest at the Sperry Mills site and had documented the hatching and rearing of numerous chicks up to the time that Vallejo Marine Terminal (VMT) purchased the property.
In 2013-2014, shortly after VMT bought the property (and immediately prior to beginning plant and wildlife surveys that are required by an Environmental Impact Report), an osprey nest in which observers had watched three chicks being reared that season disappeared without a trace from the top of a silo that was also removed from the Sperry Mills site.
Contractors, working on Mare Island, reported that brush and vegetation was cleared from the site as well as the silo with the osprey nest.
Not surprisingly, the biologist contracted to conduct the DEIR wildlife survey, found no evidence of a nest at the Sperry Mills site. In fact the DEIR noted, “it is unlikely that this species (the osprey) would nest in the project area.” (DEIR ES-15)
However, the DEIR does note the presence of an active nest just across the channel at Mare Island. And that ospreys were observed flying overhead, leading to questions about the status and timing of the nest’s removal. It is uncertain if the nest At Sperry Mills was still active at the time that it was removed.
It is unknown if a permit was issued to VMT/Orcem to take the nest by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as required by law. It could be that VMT was unaware that the Migratory Bird Act––one of the oldest international treaty laws on the books that protect migratory birds––requires following a certain protocol in dealing with osprey, their eggs, nests, chicks, or feathers.
A good neighbor and responsible steward of the ecosystem would act in accordance with well-established laws to protect the ecology of the osprey. So far, VMT has not demonstrated that kind of stewardship.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife appreciates our help to protect the osprey nesting at the Old Sperry Mill site. If a disturbance of the nest of any kind is observed please call CalTIP hotline: 888-334-2258 (888-334-CalTIP) or text: TIP411 any time, day or night to report an osprey nest disturbance at 800 Derr Ave.