Yes!

well, we now have a stay at home order from the governor in Minnesota. But here is a clip about the details...You can still recreate outside - you just need to stay 6' apart. You are not literally locked inside your home. Quoted from order:
"Outdoor activities.
Individuals may engage in outdoor activities (e.g.,
 walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting, or fishing), and may go to available public parks and other public recreation lands, consistent with remaining at least six feet apart from individuals from other households."   https://wccoradio.radio.com/articles/governor-tim-walz-to-announce-shelter-in-place-order-for-mn
SOOOOOO, sure sounds like Osprey watching, alone, is ok!

New nests!

I took a little drive and went for a walk with a friend.....along the way I found two Osprey nests I didn’t know about! It’s a great time to look around, before the leaves pop out.....so keep your eyes open and PLEASE report nests to me at Osprey.mn@gmail.com

I think I know who built one of them.....a long story about an Osprey that disappeared and then called to me in some mysterious way and I found him late last summer, after a year of no sightings. He was seen near this new nest last August. I was spread too thin to get back there after mid August, which is probably when this nest was built.

I had received a report yesterday of an Osprey eating a fish in a tree....and I scoured the area twice , before the walk and after, and found no ospreys anywhere and NO open water where an Osprey might get a fish. Hmmmmmm. I dont think we will see many ospreys until the lakes open up a little more, but the warm southerly winds predicted for this week may change things rapidly.

Osprey watching, alone, from your car, is a safe activity! And we do need volunteer monitors.....email me if you are interested! And remember to report nests!!!!!!! Thanks everyone.....please be well.

Won’t be long now!

I am very happy to report that we got the two leaning nest poles straightened and stabilized! Just in the nick of time. One crew prefers to remain anonymous....but they know who they are and we are very grateful. On the second pole we want to thank Mark Rehder, who got a crew together and fixed the tilted nestpole. We are so deeply appreciative for all the efforts of so many people who helped to make these repairs happen. So many contacts, conversations and time spent organizing the effort to help the ospreys. I  am so grateful for all those who are concerned about these birds and their safety. Now we begin the anxious wait for the birds to return!
As usual we always need help monitoring all these nests so I hope those who helped out last year will return to their nests this year......please send me an email if you wish to remain on Team Osprey! If anyone is out there who would like to join us.....also email me! Osprey.mn@gmail.com
We ask for a commitment to visit a nest once a week and to send an email with your observations after each visit. I have a list of guidelines that I will send to interested volunteers. We find it really improves the quality of observations and enjoyment of the volunteer if you have a spotting scope. ( If anyone has a spotting scope they are not using and would like to donate or sell, let us know. We always have people looking for one!) It won’t be long now!