The story so far…
Jamie Durie’s 'Growing Home' Captures Unexpected Wildlife Drama in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Acclaimed television personality and environmentalist Jamie Durie is taking his passion for sustainability and nature conservation to new heights—literally. Collaborating with Rawkus and Channel 7, what began as a television series, documenting the construction of his sustainable home in Avalon in Sydney’s northern beaches, has revealed an unexpected and inspiring wildlife story.
Jamie, known for his dedication to the environment, has been meticulously working to preserve the native trees on his property while incorporating the latest sustainable technologies into his home design. However, the unique topography of his building site required the installation of a 42meter crane, setting the stage for an extraordinary encounter.
Incredibly, a pair of eastern osprey's chose the crane’s counterweight as the site for their nest, just weeks after its installation. There are only about 7 nesting pairs of the threatened species in Sydney's northern beaches, and recognizing the significance of the event, Jamie applied to the local council for permission to install a nesting pole on his property, hoping to provide a permanent home for the birds. Unfortunately, the application was denied.
Faced with the dilemma of not wanting to disrupt the osprey’s breeding season while also needing to dismantle the crane, Jamie sought a permit to safely remove the nest before the birds began laying eggs. In collaboration with the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the nest was removed in July.
But nature had other plans. Just a few weeks later, the resilient osprey rebuilt their nest on the crane. With breeding season fast approaching, Jamie made the decision to keep the crane in place until the chicks have hatched and left the nest.
To share this rare and beautiful moment with the world, a camera has been installed to livestream the osprey’s journey on the Growing Home YouTube channel. Now, nature enthusiasts and viewers everywhere can witness this remarkable footage of these majestic birds raising their family against the stunning backdrop of Sydney’s northern beaches.
Growing Home offers a unique blend of homebuilding challenges and environmental stewardship, showcasing Jamie Durie’s commitment to building sustainably and living harmoniously with nature.