Ospreys are in trouble. Recent nest surveys show that Osprey reproduction rates in one corner of the Chesapeake have sunk even lower than before the DDT ban in the 1970s, with only 17 of 167 nests containing live chicks in one survey. Large numbers of Osprey pairs aren’t laying eggs; many of those that do can’t keep their chicks alive to fledge.
To see for yourself how the Osprey are faring this year, join Chesapeake Forum on Friday, June 12th for Searching for Osprey Nests from 11 AM – 6:30 PM. This afternoon boat trip on the Patuxent River offers a rare opportunity to get close to Ospreys during breeding season.
Maryland Master Naturalist Greg Kearns leads the excursion to mark nests and band fledglings on the Patuxent River in his 22-person pontoon boat Kearns will share insights into Osprey nesting behavior, chick survival, and the ecological pressures facing the species. Where chicks are old enough to band, you’ll be able to observe the process—and possibly hold one. If older birds are present, you may also see transmitters being attached.
There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs throughout the day.
In Search of Osprey Nests is one session, Friday, June 12th from 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM. $55.00. Transportation is by carpool from the Easton Family YMCA or meet at the Patuxent River Park by 1 PM. The pontoon boat has a shade cover but water, a hat and sunscreen will be essential. You are also welcome to bring lunch or a snack. To register for In Search of Osprey Nests, visit https://chesapeakeforum.org.
The Chesapeake Forum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities to residents of the. Eastern Shore. It is part of the YMCA of the Chesapeake. To receive Chesapeake Forum’s newsletter, please send your name and contact information to info@chesapeakeforum.org
4 Responses
As a lifelong birder with my late husband, we had charted migrations of insects and birds.
Starting with the near absence of honey bees and Monarchs, to the lower counts of several bird species including Osprey, the tragic toll of human interference is evident. Nature does not have an infinite number of inhabitants.
look in the mirror…..who is next?
If we’d like to put an osprey platform (is that the correct term) in our water (even if it’s too late this year) what is the contact information ?
This may be a good place to start. They helped us fix a platform in Centreville several years ago: https://cheswildlife.org/
Not to discourage you from putting in a platform but I have seen a number of empty platforms in the mid-shore area and I infer from the first paragraph above that the issue is not a lack of nesting locations but perhaps something else — such as a lack of food available.