Osprey Nesting Season on Sauvie Island: Earth Day 2026

Amanda Stern
Apr 23
2 min read

Updated: Apr 24

The ospreys have returned to Sauvie Island Wildlife Area! This Earth Day, I captured a bonded pair in full nest-building mode. Here is the story behind the shoot and what to look for during the 2026 Oregon birding season.

Finding Wildlife in Portland's Backyard

After some uncharacteristically warm weeks, Portland returned to its "gloomy April glory" this Earth Day. But honestly, as someone who relates a little too much to the lyrics of Dracula by Tame Impala (i.e. running from the sun is my specialty)...the overcast skies provided the perfect soft, diffuse light for wildlife photography.

I headed out to the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area, specifically looking for a quieter weekday experience. The island is famous for its osprey nesting platforms, which are scattered throughout the agricultural/residential and wildlife areas. I was lucky enough to witness some interesting bird behavior as the season kicks off.

The Homemakers: Watching Osprey Nest Building

I actually heard the action before I ever saw it. The female osprey's high-pitched vocalizations were a clear indicator that work was underway on her nest. Her mate was bringing round after round of sticks, twigs, and grass bunches, but "mama Osprey" was a discerning decorator. I watched as she rejected several twigs from her male partner and even tossed several overboard, only accepting the best pieces for their humble abode.

Diving into Osprey Facts (pun intended)

Monogamous pairings
- Ospreys typically pair for life and return to the same elevated nest site annually
Specialized Hunters
- Did you know that ospreys are one of the only raptor species to dive almost completely underwater when hunting?
The Migration Timeline
- Ospreys return to Oregon from their migration to Mexico and Central America around March. Nesting seasson peaks in April, eggs arrive in May, and chicks usually fledge the nest by late July.

Ethical Wildlife Photography: The Gear & My Process

Capturing nesting pairs and their process requires respect. To observe osprey nesting behavior without causing stress, I used:

Sony A7RV (the high resolution allows for cropping without losing detail)
Sony 70-200mm f2.8 (a versatile lens good at tracking movement)

It is crucial to stay a legal and ethical distance from nesting sites. In the Pacific Northwest, we NEVER use drones over nests, as they can cause birds to abandon their eggs.