Rogers Place Osprey & Canada Goose Nest – Charlo, MT

The density of Canada Geese in the Ninepipes National Wildlife Refuge, near Charlo, Montana is very high. The refuge is predominately a large body of water (i.e. reservoir) surrounded by a few large trees, and grasslands. The geese nest extensively in the refuge, and have expanded to all habitats, including additional conservation lands, and private properties.

For reasons unknown, Canada Geese have adapted to nesting in high in trees or high in man-made structures. These include stick nests built by Osprey, Eagles, Hawks, Herons, Magpies, and other stick nest builders. The geese also nest on man-made platforms built for Osprey, old buildings, broken off tree tops, and so forth. Thus their numbers have greatly increased everywhere in this area.

Twenty or more years ago, man-made nesting platforms were erected to offer nest sites for Osprey on two private properties adjacent to the refuge. These properties are, Charlo Osprey cam and Rogers Place cam. While at least twenty-five pairs of geese annually nest on the ground within these two properties, some geese have decided to use the nests structures, and nests built by this Osprey pair. The Osprey have been using these platforms alternately for many years.

The geese are year-round residents, while the Osprey are long distance migrants, leaving the area in October and returning in early April. Consequently, the geese have the opportunity to take over the Osprey nest before the Osprey arrive from migration. Occasionally, the Osprey and geese battle for a nest, but the geese are large, powerful, and if already on eggs, defend their nest vigorously. Consequently, the Osprey are forced to seek new nest sites and rebuild. On rare occasion the Osprey can drive the geese from nests, but this usually occurs if the geese have not laid eggs. Thus, is the situation on these two private properties.

This live camera captures the ongoing natural drama at Rogers Place, where nesting Canada Geese and Osprey compete for prime nesting habitat on a man-made platform overlooking the refuge wetlands. Watch as the geese settle into their nests, incubate eggs, and raise goslings—a window into one of Montana's most dynamic wildlife dynamics.