March 7 - April 29, 2023

“Nesting with Osprey” is an exhibit that was created by the Heritage Museum. It explores the osprey, a unique raptor, whose name literally means, 'bird  of prey.' The osprey are piscivores: a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. They are a single living species that thrive nearly worldwide, living on every continent except Antarctica.   

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The exhibit will be on display at the Heritage Museum from March 7th to April 31, 2023. This time was specifically chosen because osprey return from their migration in mid-March to early April. It also makes the exhibit available for folks to visit during Spring Break.  

In conjunction with the exhibit, the Heritage Museum is partnering with Western Oregon University Professor, Jim Dawson. Dawson is an ornithologist, an expert who studies birds, and specializes in avian behavior and ecology. He is a trained wildlife biologist, and became a falconer at the age of 13. He will be at the museum, along with other raptors, on March 28th starting at 1PM. You can learn more about other birds of prey, meet them, and ask Dawson questions about all the birds. 

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Ospreys build large, unruly stick piles for nests which can be seen in Independence along the Willamette River. Independence’s “Osprey Cam,” a live video feed housed on Independence’s iconic osprey nest platform, will be up and running again this season with the hope of an osprey pair making the nest their home. Ospreys have superb fishing skills and incredible unique adaptations.  

The Heritage Museum also worked with local artist, Forrest Johnson, who created a life-size comic strip running along the exhibit walls to share all the amazing facts about osprey. It is unlike any exhibit you have experienced. Check out this hands-on exhibit to learn more about the incredible osprey. Visit the Heritage Museum to experience a unique multi-media exhibit, which celebrates this unusual bird.