Ospreys
Iconic Chesapeake birds, osprey are large raptors known for their expert fishing skills and visits to the Bay every spring through summer.
About Ospreys
Ospreys are incredible birds. They are one of the largest raptors in North America and one of the most widespread birds in the world.
Ospreys have dark brown and white plumage, with a white stomach. They weigh between 2½ and 4½ pounds, and they have a wingspan that can reach 5 to 6 feet.
Fish, particularly Atlantic menhaden for Bay osprey, make up nearly 99 percent of their diet.
After migrating to Central and South America over the winter, ospreys return annually to the Chesapeake Bay region, often to the same nest sites on creeks, rivers, and shorelines. Once they have returned, they may travel far daily in search of food for their young.
- Osprey mate for life, returning each year (often traveling thousands of miles) to nest in the same area where they were born to be reunited with their mate.
- They are found everywhere in the world, except Antarctica.
- Their migration, nesting cycles, and behavior make them useful not just as a wildlife species to admire, but also as indicators of ecological health.
Threats to Ospreys
From food shortages to habitat loss, there are sadly many obstacles these iconic birds face.
Menhaden are small, oily, and highly nutritious fish that osprey and many other species depend on for food. Some studies show menhaden make up roughly 75 percent of an osprey’s diet. But the same qualities that make menhaden a prized food for marine wildlife, have also long made them a target for the reduction industry—a type of fishing that involves catching and processing wild fish and grinding them down into fishmeal and fish oil for use in other industries.
Recent studies have shown osprey nesting success has dropped in many parts of the Bay. For example, out of 167 nests monitored in one study, only 17 produced live chicks—a far lower rate than needed to maintain population levels. The suspected culprit? Lack of menhaden
While possible menhaden depletion is a major concern, other threats include habitat loss, climate change, pollution, possibly nests being disturbed, etc. These interact with the food shortages to exacerbate problems.
What CBF Is Doing
Whether its advocacy or education, CBF is tirelessly working to better engage the public in appreciation and protection of osprey.
Considering how critical menhaden are to the health of the Bay’s entire ecosystem, including osprey, CBF has been calling for more precautionary, ecosystem-based management of menhaden fisheries for decades. Efforts have included:
- urging regulatory bodies (like the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, ASMFC) to consider time and area closures for menhaden fishing to protect predators like osprey;
- pushing for legislation and funding for menhaden studies specific to the Chesapeake Bay; and
- public campaigns to raise awareness.
In 2011, CBF partnered with conservation-minded Microwave Telemetry, Inc. (MTI) to tag and track in real-time three ospreys to better understand their migration patterns and engage students, teachers, and the public. CBF’s Osprey Tracking Project allowed the public to directly connect with these birds from their home and classroom computers.
One bird nested on CBF’s Port Isobel Island Education Center in Virginia and two others resided on then-CBF-owned Holly Beach Farm in Maryland. In addition to being able to watch in real time the migration of these birds, the project included lesson plans for teachers, videos, and other resources to better engage students in understanding and appreciating these extraordinary birds.
CBFIn 2011, CBF partnered with Microwave Telemetry, Inc. to tag and track in real time three ospreys. to better understand migration patterns and engage students, teachers, and the public.
What You Can Do
Osprey need our help. Here are some things you can do.
As a critical fish to an osprey’s diet, we must ensure we have a strong, healthy population of menhaden in our Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is home to the largest breeding population of ospreys on the planet. But research shows that in recent years osprey chicks are starving at unprecedented levels around tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay, where they typically depend on menhaden for food. It’s time to pause menhaden fishing in the Chesapeake Bay for many reasons, including so that these iconic birds have enough food.
Learning about the menhaden-osprey connection, sharing information, participating in citizen science or local monitoring can help. Make sure to check out our resources like the osprey tracking map above to engage young people and our communities in understanding just how incredible these birds are.
Make a gift today to support our restoration, advocacy, and education work.
Image above credit Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and CosmoVision Media.
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