Ospreys have landed in High River

A nesting pair of Ospreys has returned to the Highwood River.

The Town of High River announced on May 2 that the pair has made the town's nesting platform their home for this year.

High River moved its nesting platform last February to a more stable area North of the Beachwood area to allow for riverbank erosion near its old location to be repaired later this year.

One of the Osprey was seen in a tree close by the nest. The Town is asking you to keep your distance.

While the nesting platform is easy to spot, the Town asks everyone to give the birds and the platform a good amount of space, especially over the next several months as the eggs hatch and the chicks grow.

Typically, the female Osprey will remain with the nest as her partner will be the sole provider for the family until the babies are big enough to fly.

When humans disturb the Osprey nest, both parents may leave the nest, leaving the eggs or chicks susceptible to predators.

According to the Hinterland Who's Who by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, if there is enough food, two out of three Osprey chicks are typically able to fly after only seven to nine weeks of constant parental care.

Because of that, the Town reminds people to love nature from a distance.