Firefighters Rescue Osprey in Lloyd Harbor

By Steve Silverman

Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington firefighters teamed up to rescue a newly hatched osprey found to be entangled in a balloon ribbon and fishing net used to make the nest.

Firefighters received a call from Lloyd Harbor Village Police to assist on Wednesday, September 17, on Forrest Drive and Lloyd Harbor Road in Lloyd Neck. Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department’s ladder truck was used to reach the bird who was perched about 30 feet off the ground alone and trapped in its nest.  Ex-Chief James Felton Jr. and Captain Justin Ambruster climbed the ladder to assess the situation. Chief Felton freed the bird from the nest and carried it down to Wildlife Refuge personnel on the scene, who gave firefighters instructions on how to safely handle the bird. The osprey had abrasions to its leg and was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Firefighters were under the direction of Huntington Fire Chief Robert Berry and Cold Spring Harbor Fire Chief Robert Hahn.

In Photos: (Courtesy Cold Spring Harbor Fire Dept) Cold Spring Harbor FD Ex-Chief James Felton Jr. pictured holding the osprey after the rescue.