April 2026 – The Ospreys Are Back at Weeden Farm!
We’ve been watching the skies (and the nest) with hopeful anticipation—and they’re back! The osprey pair that made Weeden Farm home last year has returned, right on cue at the start of April. Safe to say, we’re pretty excited about it.
As we cross our fingers for another successful nesting season (and maybe some new chicks), we’re asking for your help in giving them the space they need. You’ll see posted signs around Weeden Farm marking where to go—and where not to. Please follow them and keep a respectful distance from the nest. A little extra care goes a long way in helping these birds thrive. After all, this is their home too.
We’ll be sharing updates, photos, and hopefully some close-up moments throughout the season on our socials @sklandtrust. Thanks!
Some Fun Osprey Facts:
- Ospreys are migratory raptors that return to the same nesting areas each year, often building on and reusing large stick nests near water.
- They typically lay 2–4 eggs in April. The female handles most of the 35–40 day incubation while the male keeps the food coming.
- Chicks hatch one at a time and spend about 7–8 weeks in the nest before taking their first flight.
- They’re incredible fishers—catching a meal in at least 1 out of every 4 dives, sometimes even more. On average, it takes about 12 minutes of hunting to land a catch. (Next time the fish aren’t biting, just remember—you’re in good company.)
- Over a lifetime, an osprey may travel more than 160,000 miles during migration. One tracked bird made a 2,700-mile journey from Martha’s Vineyard to French Guiana in just 13 days!
Stay tuned—we’ll keep you posted as the season unfolds. And if you’re out walking at Weeden Farm, take a moment to look up. You never know what you might see.