Submitted by Port of Olympia
Just steps from downtown Olympia, the Port Peninsula’s trails and parks beckon the community to the waterfront. For everyone’s enjoyment, Black Hills Audubon Society (BHAS) and Port of Olympia have partnered to attract more nesting birds to this urban saltwater parkland.
This year, the partners found success with purple martin boxes installed on pilings just north of the marine terminal. Birds have nested in about half of the boxes. Also, new swallow boxes in trees along Marine Drive are ready for next season’s house hunters.
Twelve BHAS volunteers logged 45 hours constructing the nest boxes. The Port handled the installation at sites selected by BHAS.
BHAS members and Port staff were hatching plans for an osprey nesting platform when a pair nested on a light pole on the marine terminal. Staff disconnected the light to protect the two eggs.
For the 2016 nesting season, the Port is planning to construct and install osprey nesting platforms on two prominent concrete light poles on the terminal. The community will be able to view the southern platform from the Port Plaza, and the northern platform from the Hearthfire Restaurant and NorthPoint parking areas.
