Self-Guided Tour of Our Osprey Platforms
The Osprey Trail visits ten osprey platforms that have been erected by the Clinton Land Conservation Trust in the Hammock River marsh beginning in 1984. The most recent in 2001 is best viewed from the dune east of the parking lot at the Clinton Town Beach. A walking tour with binoculars is the best and least disturbing way to observe these striking birds of prey.
Lou Bougie, past president and man who started the Osprey program, holding a newly banded chick in the early ’70s.
The osprey return each year around March 20. A mating period follows which varies from 10–14 days. Osprey eggs need 35–39 days to hatch. One to three chicks can be seen on the active nests, with the average being two chicks to a mating pair. The chicks will require about another month to attain 70–80 percent of their growth. The male parent must feed himself, the female and the chicks. Everyone is very hungry and the father will be tired. All of this plus teaching flying and hunting skills have to be completed by mid-August when the parent birds must leave on their 3,000 to 4,000 mile journey to their winter homes in South and Central America.
Platform Locations and viewing sites
Platform 1 and 2 are located in the Hammock River salt marsh east of the Town Beach. Best viewing is from the dune east of the parking lot.
Platform 3 and 4 are located in the Hammock River salt marsh between Harbor View and Hammock Road, platform 4 can be seen from the intersection of Center Road and South Parkway in Harbor View, or from various locations on Hammock Road. They can also be seen at the culvert (not the bridge) on Beach Park Road looking toward the harbor entrance.
Platform 5 is to the rear of 6-8 Shore Grove Road. It also can be seen from the Beach Park Road bridge looking southeast to Long Island Sound.
Platform 6 is opposite 63 Shore Road, SNET utility pole #171.
Platform 7 is to the rear of homes on Mallard Road. Best viewing site is at the first hydrant on the left on Mallard Road.
Platform 8 and 9 are on the Causeway. The male uses #8 on the western side as a perch.
Platform 10 can be viewed from Groveway, about a quarter mile down from the Green.
A Suggested Walk
Park at the ShopRite parking lot. Walk up Mallard Road to see platform #7. On your way, pause at the pond opposite Snap Fitness, you might be treated to a glimpse of amphibian activity. A complete loop of the Causeway, Shore Road to Beach Park, and return on East Main Street is about 3 miles.
Originally written by Lou Bougie in 2001, updated in 2021.
For up-to-date information on the Clinton platforms and a map of all the platforms in Connecticut, visit CT Audubon, Osprey Nation.
