Osprey Enthusiast and Author, Pamela Lowell, MSW, LICSW, Visits Lloyd Center

At the Welcome Center

Ospreys have been managed and studied by the Lloyd Center since the mid 1980’s when the late Gil Fernandez was leading local efforts at the species’ recovery. Currently, The Center has five platforms under our jurisdiction between the Slocum and Little Rivers, including on the Slocum on the salt marsh of Demarest Lloyd State Park – one of the oldest platforms in the region – and one currently under experimentation with a new cam system at our waterfront near the pier. In addition to another platform near Demarest Lloyd, the Center has, at Little River, a now longstanding platform at the shoreline, and a recently installed platform closer to the private homes, both Little River platforms on the salt marsh portion of the Center’s 27-acre “Lloyd Woods” property.  Each estuary includes a platform that was constructed and erected by school groups of students looking for an opportunity to experience wildlife conservation first hand. At both estuaries, close-up views of adult ospreys are possible, making the Lloyd Center the perfect osprey event venue.

To this end, on July 20, we welcomed Pamela Lowell, MSW, LICSW, author of “My Summer with Ospreys”, to share her experience with the birds through the lens of a medical practitioner. Pam found a unique personal connection to ospreys and learned mainly through volunteering on the Westport River, and has also attended Lloyd Center birding events. Lowell is an independent clinical social worker by trade, providing therapy services in southeast New England (see www.pamelalowell.com).

At the Pavilion

The group of 35+ people heard opening remarks about the Lloyd Center from Research Associate Jamie Bogart, and comments and favorite passages from an individual who read the book, before Lowell took the stage. She shared her personal perspectives stemming from experiences with the grim realities encountered in any avian conservation effort, including both happy moments when young birds were alive and thriving, and sadder encounters of failed nests or deceased birds in less productive years. The event was co-sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, for which a representative was also present and provided remarks and assisted with facilitation.

After the initial talk at the Lloyd Center’s new “Living Building Challenge™” Welcome Center, the group set out to view ospreys, which included a walk through the Center’s main building 3rd floor observatory and trail system, where attendees could get a feel for the Lloyd Center as a destination and nature center. After a glimpse at the feeder station, where deer were making their late afternoon visit, the group entered the building to view the Slocum from the 3rd floor observatory and learn more about the estuary. We then walked the trail toward the pier, where we stopped at the Pavilion for a rest and to hear more from Pamela. Out on the pier, she shared yet more recollections and expertise, and folks were able to view ospreys through a Lloyd Center telescope, while also seeing other waterbirds, including egrets which were beginning their post-breeding flocking behavior. After the pier we walked down the Osprey Point trail for a closer look at the platform which had produced two fledges, both clearly visible through the scope.

At the pier

Although other platforms the Center oversees weren’t as successful this season, the continued success of our “old” platform depicts the resilience of both the platform and the birds that use it. The educational and research opportunities that exist regarding this storied bird species were also learned by the group. Tune in next season when we’ll again report the status and results of the osprey season, including outcomes for any new platforms that may be installed between now and then.