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Osprey History in the Making

Editor — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:15:39 +0000

The Kielder Water and Forest Park is located in England. It is not only home to the country’s biggest forest areas, but the largest man-made lake to be found in northern Europe. Its remote location and breathtaking natural landscapes make the park a favorite amongst artists, hiking enthusiasts and cyclists. The park is also the perfect family escape. Animals and bird life play a vital role in the park, and recently the Kielder Water and Forest Park has taken on a conservation challenge that might just make history.

The arrival of a breeding pair of ospreys last year was an exciting event for the staff and rangers at the Kielder Water and Forest Park. It might not sound like a major event, but their sighting in the park marked the return of these magnificent birds to the Northumberland area in more than two hundred years. Ospreys are large raptors that feed on fish and are able to adapt to a variety of habitats, as long as there is water and enough food supply. Even though last year’s visitors did not nest in the park, it is hoped that they will return to the park this year, where a nesting platform will be waiting for them.

Ospreys are known to be very loyal to their partners, and more than often return to a nesting site. Rangers believe that by enticing a breeding pair to nest within the park, they will ensure the return of the birds and their young, and in future lure more breeding pairs to the park. The Kielder Water and Forest Reserve is the ideal location for ospreys, as the lake is able to provide them with both water and ample food supply. The park has now set up a nesting platform in a secret location that is situated deep within the isolation of the forest, and stands at a height of 18.2 meters. To capture the event, and allow visitors to be a part of the excitement, the park has installed CCTV cameras on the platform. This will allow the public to be a part of the excitement without any direct human interference. With all the preparations made, the Forestry Department and the Kielder Water and Forest Park will be waiting patiently to see the first signs of hope; namely the return of the male to scout for nesting sites.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a well-known bird of prey throughout the world and amongst the largest in North America. Osprey populations decreased due to pesticide poisoning during the 1950s to the 1970s. Although their numbers improved after the ban of DDT, they remain on threatened species and endangered species lists in some localities.

Ospreys are short-distant migrants who reside along waterways. As a large raptor, the Osprey is identified from beneath by their white breast and belly as well as their angled wings and the dark patch on the wrist bend. The back and upperwings are black. The wings are long and taper into a rounded tip. It has a short hooked beak ideal for capturing prey. A dark eyestripe marks the face. The tail is brown with white banding. They measure in at approximately 54 to 58 cm with a wingspan of 150 to 180 cm. The distinctive chirping whistle calls of the Osprey will also assist in identification.

Ospreys feed purely on fish, hovering over a body of water before plunging down to grab a tasty morsel. They have special barbed pads on their foot soles for gripping the fish, which they carry to the nest. Nests are frequently built on artificial structures such as nesting platforms, telephone poles, duck blinds and so forth. The nests are constructed with sticks and debris. Preferred breeding habitat for Ospreys is open water and wetlands. The pair will mate for life. A single clutch of 3 to 4 eggs is laid each year. Incubation is for 32 to 43 days. The chicks hatch individually over a period of 5 days. The oldest will gobble the majority of the food supplied by parents. This is not a major problem in times of abundance, but when little food is available the younger chicks will likely starve to death. In 48 to 59 days the young Osprey with fledge.

A very popular bird of prey, the Osprey features as Nova Scotia’s (Canada) official bird as well as the official bird of Sudermannia of Sweden. The name Osprey has been used for several sporting teams and the bird has been the official mascot of various universities and colleges. Ospreys are truly beautiful birds, exceptional fish hunters and fine parents, certainly worthy of conservation action and protection.

OspreyFest 2008 in New Mexico

Editor — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:05:56 +0000

Not many people will try to argue that the sight of a beautiful white and black osprey soaring through the air isn’t beautiful. These stunning birds of prey are widespread in many parts of the United States and thousands of people can easily spot them in their neighborhood. Despite their widespread coverage of other parts of the continent, they have been absent from Northern New Mexico for some time now – until recently that is.

The 2008 Osprey Fest has been created in celebration of the fact that these majestic birds have returned to the northern parts of New Mexico. It will take place at Heron Lake State Park in the breathtaking Chama River Valley and will no doubt see thousands of excited birders in the region making the most of this fantastic opportunity to see these birds nesting and breeding successfully in the area. Heron Lake State Park will be collaborating with the nearby El Vado State Park to ensure that global birders and local residents get the most out of their time here. Not only will visitors most likely be able to see such striking birds as blue heron and bald eagles, but they will get to spy on 13 pairs of nesting Osprey. The festival has been carefully timed to coincide with the nesting osprey’s annual fledge, so there should be plenty of action in the nests! Of course these large protected areas are home to more than just a few bird species and animal lovers will also be charmed by the wide variety of wildlife that is present in the two state parks.

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large, eagle-like bird of prey that eats fish and so is always found near water. Sometimes called sea hawks or fish eagles, these magnificent birds can be found on almost every continent on the globe. Their wings span an impressive six feet and their white and black speckled markings are unmistakable. OspreyFest2008 provides bird lovers with the perfect opportunity to get close to and learn more about these fabulous birds. Guided small-boat excursions will no doubt prove to be a highlight for many visitors as it provides a somewhat unique way of viewing nests that may otherwise be impossible to see clearly. So make the most of OspreyFest2008 and book your stay at nearby Chama where you can also enjoy restaurants, gift shops, craft galleries and a supermarket.

Official Migratory Bird Havens Now Available in East End Parks

Editor — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:44:57 +0000

As part of efforts to boost the success rates of nesting birds in the region, some 2 140 acres of state parkland have been set aside on Long Island’s East End as a conservation area. The protected area will be the 50th such designated zone for birds in New York State and will greatly benefit species such as piping plovers and ospreys.

Most of the Napeague State Park is included in the newly defined zone, as is the western side of Hither Hills State Park. Both parks are incredibly popular and see hundreds of visitors annually. Regular park users will be happy to know that the newly designated area will not bring about a prohibition of regular recreational activities formally permitted in the park, and park goers will still be able to go camping. The main reason that the bird haven was created was to ensure that officials give habitat preservation of the many different birds that can be found here the utmost priority. The new bird haven program will also serve to educate the public about birds in the area and ensure that various havens are clearly demarked with new signs.

There are a number of delightful birds living in the new bird haven and it is hoped that these efforts will boost numbers by improving nesting activities. The beaches and marshland around Napeague Harbour provide the perfect habitat for a number of threatened beach-nesting bird species, such as least terns. The area is also widely used by a number of migratory birds that stop over here to feed on insects or fruit before continuing on their way. The marshes are a great place for short-eared owls and northern harriers, while the beaches and dunes are perfect for species such as the piping plover.

The New York bird conservation area program was created in 1997 as part of efforts to safeguard and enhance existing bird populations in a number of state-owned areas. It is not a means to set up new laws within existing laws, but rather serves to educate people, to bolster protection efforts and to assist with management and research projects. The sites selected for the program are chosen for their abundance of birds, and the new East End area is no exception. The Napeague area is one of the largest unbroken maritime zones on Eastern Long Island and so its importance to the bird populations cannot be overstated.

The San Diego Bird Festival

Editor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:37:16 +0000

The 12th San Diego Bird Festival, sponsored by the San Diego Audubon Society, is set to take place from 6 February through to 11 February 2008. The venue for this popular birding festival is the superb Marina Village Conference Center in Mission Bay, San Diego, California.

The six-day program for the San Diego Bird Festival includes many of the most popular events of past festivals, as well a several new trips and workshops. There are 48 events scheduled to take place throughout the festival. The “Local Favorites Trip” will take participants to Old Mission Dam and the Santee and Lindo Lakes – birding havens that are surrounded by busy suburbs. Bird watchers can expect to see an astounding variety and number of birds, including downy and Nuttall’s woodpeckers, wood and ring-necked ducks, western blue-bird and osprey, as well as vermillion and gray flycatchers.

The “Birds of the Anza-Borrego Desert” all-day trip starts at 5:30 to arrive at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park as the sun rises. This rugged desert environment is home to a wide variety of bird species including the great roadrunner, Costa’s hummingbird, cactus wren, phainopepla , black-tailed gnatcatcher and long-eared owl.

“Birds of the Laguna and Cuyamaca Mountains” is a trip into San Diego County’s mountains, which provide diverse environments of expanses of grasslands and chaparral as well as oak and conifer forests. Weather permitting, the group will stop off at a number of places and should be on the look out for ferruginous hawks, mountain chickadees, lark sparrows, Steller’s and western scrub-jays as well as hairy woodpecker.

Other excursions on the program include “San Diego’s Pacific Rocky Shores Trip”, “Whale Watching and Pelagic Birds off San Diego’s Coastline”, “Birding Along the Border”, “San Diego River Estuary Walk”, plus many more.

The dramatic increase of fires in Southern California over the past ten years has raised concerns among conservationists who fear that one of nature’s most diverse areas is heading for an ecological disaster. The unique “Chaparral, Wrentits and Fire Worshop and Trip” plans to give participants an in-depth look at the problems caused by fire and possible solutions to these problems.

Photographer and author, Kenn Kaufman, will be the keynote speaker at the San Diego Bird Festival banquet. As a world authority on birds and the author of a number of birding books and guides as well as being the field editor for Audubon magazine, Kenn Kaufman will be sharing some of his in-depth knowledge on bird-related subjects which includes his commitment to nature conservation.

Without a doubt, the San Diego Bird Festival is packed with opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of birds and their habitats and is an event that no bird lover would want to miss.

Birding in the Remarkable Florida Everglades

Editor — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:24 +0000

The moment the word “Everglades” is spoken, many people imagine the dark waters of a marshland filled with alligators. However, even though alligators are at home in the Florida Everglades, it is the bird species that steal the spotlight from these illusive predators. Birding in the Florida Everglades has become a popular activity, and while silently waiting for a bird to appear visitors also get the chance to meet some of the other fascinating animals that have carved out their own existence in the Florida Everglades.

The rich animal and bird life in the Florida Everglades continues to exist due to the selfless efforts of conservationists and everglade protection advocates, such as Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who have fought against development and the destruction of this precious land. After the year 1930, many developers had their sights set on commercial and industrial growth in the Florida Everglades, destroying river flows and reducing some of the area from healthy eco systems to unforgiving marshlands. Through awareness and endless battles, establishments, such as the Everglades National Park, have been opened to conserve this breathtaking piece of natural paradise.

The varying eco systems and unique network of swamps, rivers, prairies, ponds and large pools of water, create ideal living and nesting environments for a large variety of birds. While birding in the Florida Everglades, bird watching enthusiasts can look forward to seeing Osprey, Purple Gallinule, Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Common Moorhen, White Ibis, Reddish Egret, Bald Eagles, Pelicans, Wood Storks and Red Tailed Hawks, to name a few. With over ten thousand small islands scattered throughout the Florida Everglades, visitors will be amazed to see how every living species within the everglades reside together and survive the changing climates and conditions.

Other wonderful animals to be on the lookout for include Wild Hogs, American Crocodiles, American Alligators, Raccoons, Deer, Opossums, Treefrogsm Florida King Snakes, Tree Snails, Indian Manatees, Giant Land Crabs and the magnificent Florida Panther. Of course there a many ways to view the birds of the Florida Everglades, such as kayak excursions, river cruisers, motorboat trips and canoeing. Not surprisingly, very few visitors volunteer to canoe or kayak through the waterways. After a day of searching for the magnificent birds of the everglades, visitors can also enjoy some of the activities offered by the park, in a safe and restricted area. Here the adventurous travelers can practice their horse riding skills, try their hand at jet skiing, snorkel, swim and even fish. The Florida Everglades is a wonderful natural destination, and a paradise for birds and wildlife.