GA Conservation Success Story: Huge Nesting Ospreys at Lake Allatoona Signal a Comeback for Once-Endangered Species

Once endangered by the pesticide DDT, the expanding population of nesting ospreys at Lake Allatoona in Northwest Georgia signals a strong comeback for this species of water-hunting birds often mistaken for bald eagles.

More than 20 mating osprey pairs occupy man-made nesting platforms at Lake Allatoona, with others nesting in natural sites.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

With nesting pairs now occupying more than 20 man-made nesting platforms and other natural sites at Lake Allatoona, it's not unusual to see ospreys soaring high above Lake Allatoona. The impressive large birds have a wingspan of over five feet. Due to their size and white heads, they often are confused with the larger bald eagle.

A visit to a Lake Allatoona nesting site during Earth Week 2023 found it occupied, with an adult likely sitting on unhatched eggs as no chicks were spotted. When the nest-tending osprey called out, another adult appeared from the trees surrounding the lake to make several circles around the nest.

An Earth Week visit to this osprey platform near Allatoona Battlefield Park found it active with a nesting pair of osprey.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Much of the credit for the rebound in osprey population at Lake Allatoona goes to a conservation partnership between the US Army Corps of Engineers and Georgia Power. The organizations initiated a cooperative program to erect nesting platforms around the lake. Initially, Georgia Power provided a dozen, 40-foot-tall poles for the nests, and the Corps and Georgia Power provided equipment and manpower to erect the first 12 nesting towers. More towers were added in 2013.

Now, each spring, pairs of mating ospreys return to the lake to occupy the towers. And, ospreys also have been spotted nesting in tall pine trees along the shores of the lake, as well as in the superstructure of the Red Top Mountain Road within the state park.

When the nest-tending osprey called out, another adult appeared from the trees surrounding the lake, then circled the nest.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

According to the National Wildlife Federation, osprey pairs often mate for life, and frequently return to the same nests year-after-year. Mated pairs work together during the spring, when the male selects a nesting site. The pair collects nesting materials together, and arranging the nest generally is done by the female. The female lays two to four eggs over several days, then both adults work to incubate the eggs. Hatchling learn to fly after about two months, then remain in the nest for another two month while learning to fish.

Removed from the endangered species list in 1983, 0spreys are still considered to be a threatened species and are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

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