Ospreys in Brevard County have ignored deterrents and returned to nest on traffic lights at the intersection of Viera Boulevard and Stadium Parkway. The birds have taken up residence on a concrete pole at the northeast corner of the intersection, where county workers installed anti-nesting wires in 2013. Motorists passing through the area now often glance upward to see two chicks perched on the traffic signal. The ospreys, known as fish hawks, may soon fledge, but their presence has caused ongoing challenges for county officials.
The county first tried to prevent nesting in 2013 after a storm blew an osprey nest onto Stadium Parkway. Workers installed a fake owl on the traffic signal arm to deter the birds, but the strategy failed. The following spring, an osprey pair returned to nest on the opposite traffic light at the same intersection. The county then replaced the fake owl with a wiry apparatus designed to make landing difficult for raptors. The birds, however, adapted quickly.
County maintenance workers now face risks from the nests. Osprey nests can add significant weight to traffic poles, stressing the structures. Bird droppings are also highly corrosive, damaging metal parts, lenses, and electrical components. These issues have forced workers to address the problem repeatedly over the years.
Despite the deterrents, the ospreys have persisted. The current nest, which has been there for several months, shows no signs of the birds abandoning the site. County officials have not yet announced new measures to address the situation. For now, the intersection remains a focal point for both drivers and the determined osprey pair.