POULSBO — When the Strawberry Field osprey return from wintering in Central America, they will return home to new digs: a 55-foot wood pole with nesting platform, installed Nov. 18 next to the fence that borders the field and Poulsbo Elementary School.

The platform uses some materials from the old nest on a stadium light pole. That nest was removed because, on electrical equipment, it was at risk of fire.

The hope is when the osprey return, they will be encouraged to build a nest on the platform placed specifically for them, Kitsap Audubon board director Gene Bullock said. “Hopefully they accept the new platform.”

Excluder devices were placed on the stadium lights that line the turf field. The devices will prevent osprey from nesting on the lights in the future.

The project was funded through efforts by the Kitsap Audubon Society. Total cost was about $8,000, Bullock said. The Audubon Society received donations of various amounts and Puget Sound Energy donated the new pole and paid for the work, Bullock said. Other supporters included the North Kitsap School District, City of Poulsbo, Rotary Club of Poulsbo/North Kitsap, Audubon members, and anonymous donors. In the end, the Audubon Society will pay about $1,000, he said.

Puget Sound Energy subcontracted with NE Utility Services to set the pole. Osprey Solutions provided and attached the platform to the new pole and custom-built excluder devices.

“It was a wonderful outreach project with the community,” Bullock said.

The osprey left in late September for Central America and are expected to return in April, Bullock said.