Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Good Day on the Osprey Nest

Jet Lawler, Smith Mountain Lake State Park Interpreter, who took the photograph, said, “The week of May 11th – 16th was a great one for our osprey pair. Two of the three eggs hatched sometime between the 13th and the 15th. Saturday, the 16th, was a banner day for our young family. Due to National Kids to Parks Day and perfect weather the nest was viewed by many guests to the park. The male successfully fished all day, returning often to the nest with juicy fish which the female ripped into bite-size morsels, then fed to the two newborn chicks. A third un-hatched egg was clearly visible, which we hope will hatch within the next few days.