A pair of ospreys nesting on the SMCC pier was relocated in 2004 as the old pier was in bad repair and needed to be replaced. A piling with a nesting platform was driven in the cove in front of the Marine Science building and the nest was relocated. The birds made the transition nicely. We were concerned the new pier construction would affect the ospreys this year but they returned last Friday. The male is hunting and the female is residing in the nest. They are mating and we hope to have a clutch of eggs soon. The birds are popular with visitors to campus and some amatuer photographers have gotten some nice shots. The new pier should be completed by July.