April 25, 2025: By late April, Ospreys return to Falmouth, busily rebuilding nests mostly on existing platforms to prepare for the breeding season. Their arrival signals spring’s return to our local coast and salt marshes. This pair was recently seen at Great Pond in East Falmouth, MA.

By late April, Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) return to Falmouth from wintering grounds in South America, primarily in northern South America and the Amazon Basin. Migration begins as early as late February, with birds flying thousands of miles along the Atlantic Flyway. Many follow inland river systems or coastal routes through the Caribbean, Florida, and the southeastern United States.

During migration, Ospreys typically fly solo by day and may spend several days at stopover sites such as wetlands, reservoirs, or estuaries to rest and refuel, especially during inclement weather. Once back in Massachusetts, they promptly begin repairing or rebuilding nests—often on man-made platforms or tall trees near water.

Both sexes contribute to nest construction using sticks, grasses, and occasionally anthropogenic debris. Nest fidelity is high, with many pairs returning to the same site annually. This reconstruction phase is critical for successful egg-laying and chick rearing, marking an important seasonal event in the region’s coastal ecosystems.