{"id":480,"date":"2012-07-25T08:24:26","date_gmt":"2012-07-25T12:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/blogs\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=480"},"modified":"2012-07-25T08:24:26","modified_gmt":"2012-07-25T12:24:26","slug":"ospreys-up-close","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/ospreys-up-close\/","title":{"rendered":"Ospreys Up Close"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Have you ever seen a hawk-like bird swoop down in the water, diving for fish? Chances are it\u2019s an Osprey. These raptors once dubbed \u201cfish hawks\u201d are in a family all by themselves and can be found on six of the seven continents (both in fresh and salt water).<\/p>\n

In Massachusetts, you will start seeing them in late March, reclaiming or finding new nesting platforms. By September 15, they\u2019re on their way south again. And while the state now has an abundance of ospreys, this wasn\u2019t always the case. A look back:<\/p>\n

Ancient History
\n<\/strong>Think of what hadn\u2019t<\/em> happened by 1620. The land hadn\u2019t been cleared for agriculture, so waterside nesting possibilities (on dead trees) were endless. And fish populations hadn\u2019t been decimated, so food sources (an Osprey\u2019s diet consists of 99 percent fish) were abundant.<\/p>\n

Twentieth Century
\n<\/strong>We know Osprey nests remained in Massachusetts by 1900. Swansea chicken farmers had learned that Ospreys would vehemently protect their nests from hawks, so they coaxed them to nest on their lands. The sphere of protection thus created protected the chickens.<\/p>\n

By mid-century, pesticides began causing nest failures, dropping the statewide population to 11 pairs. The banning of such chemicals and a nest platform construction program on the South Coast led to the rejuvenation of the Osprey population<\/a> in Massachusetts. As of 2011, there were more than 200 Ospreys in Massachusetts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Locating Ospreys
\n<\/strong>The best places to see Ospreys in Massachusetts are along the South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands. Here, many of our wildlife sanctuaries run Osprey monitoring programs\u00a0including Allens Pond<\/a>,\u00a0Wellfleet Bay<\/a>, Long Pasture<\/a>, Felix Neck<\/a>, and the South Shore Sanctuaries<\/a>. Volunteer monitors are asked to report on the \u201cphenology\u201d of the birds: the timing of the events of their lives. When do they return to the nest? How long do they take to build or strengthen\u00a0their nests? When do the eggs hatch? When do we see the first youngsters? When do the little ones fledge?<\/p>\n

Learning More
\n<\/strong>In order to really understand the Osprey, Mass Audubon staff members band Osprey chicks every July<\/a>. Banding involves placing harmless metallic bands around the lower portions of the legs of the young birds with unique tracking numbers so we might learn more about the individual life of the bird, and more generally about the species in total. Often, monitors are invited to the banding, and get the opportunity to meet \u201ctheir\u201d Ospreys face-to-face. It\u2019s a remarkable moment.<\/p>\n

Get Involved
\n<\/strong>Most Osprey monitoring projects are low-impact, opportunistic affairs, although protocols vary from sanctuary to sanctuary. We really just need to continue gathering as much data as possible so that we can continue to learn about these wonderful birds. Get involved today by contacting one of the wildlife sanctuaries mentioned above.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Ospreys at one of these upcoming programs<\/a>\u00a0or by following Mass Audubon’s Westport Osprey Blog<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever seen a hawk-like bird swoop down in the water, diving for fish? Chances are it\u2019s an Osprey. These raptors once dubbed \u201cfish hawks\u201d are in a family all by themselves and can be found on six of the seven continents (both in fresh and salt water). In Massachusetts, you will start seeing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,11],"tags":[28,78,108],"class_list":["post-480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-get-involved","category-nature-notes","tag-birds","tag-osprey","tag-volunteer"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-7K","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8954,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-awesome-ospreys\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Awesome Ospreys","author":"Ryan D.","date":"May 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Did you know that ospreys eat a diet almost entirely made up of fish? Also called fish hawks, ospreys are one of only a few raptors that regularly dive into the water to catch food. And they can carry prey up to 25% of their body weight! These amazing creatures\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Osprey Close-Up \u00a9 Carleen Loper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/1147CarleenLoper7060_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/1147CarleenLoper7060_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/04\/1147CarleenLoper7060_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5182,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-return-of-the-osprey\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Return of the Osprey","author":"Rosemary","date":"April 6, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"The story of ospreys in Massachusetts is one of adversity and survival. These fish-eating raptors faced two main challenges: first, they declined\u00a0due to deforestation. Later, their\u00a0numbers plummeted due to the\u00a0pesticide DDT, which weakened eggshells.\u00a0But thanks to conservation efforts, record numbers of ospreys are flying in the Commonwealth. Here are\u00a0five images\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/854LindaFuller5520-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/854LindaFuller5520-2012.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/04\/854LindaFuller5520-2012.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7507,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-time-to-nest\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Time to Nest","author":"Hillary T.","date":"April 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This is the time of year birds are busy preparing for nesting season. Nests take all shapes and sizes and incorporate different materials from big sticks (ospreys and herons) to dead grass, twigs, and fibers (robins, orioles, and warblers). A number of bird species nest on balconies and building ledges\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/04\/Jeff_Martineau.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16884,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/species-highlight-5-birds-for-bird-a-thon\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":3},"title":"Species Highlight: 5 Birds for Bird-a-thon","author":"Kaylin D.","date":"May 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"On May 13, birders from across the state will be hiking quietly through bushes, binoculars in hand, patiently waiting for a bird to come into view. Throughout the heat of the day and into the cover of darkness, these dedicated birders silently wait. Why, you may ask? All for a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/05\/KForesto-3663-750x500-69214820-c7a7-4824-8adc-c1f5db65b2b5-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/05\/KForesto-3663-750x500-69214820-c7a7-4824-8adc-c1f5db65b2b5-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/05\/KForesto-3663-750x500-69214820-c7a7-4824-8adc-c1f5db65b2b5-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/05\/KForesto-3663-750x500-69214820-c7a7-4824-8adc-c1f5db65b2b5-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12716,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-nest-builders\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Nest Builders","author":"Ryan D.","date":"May 20, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The varied landscapes of Massachusetts provide nesting spots for nearly 200 bird species and spring is prime time for nest-building and brooding. You may have seen birds flitting back and forth with beaks full of twigs, grasses, and even plastic refuse to fortify their nests, which may pop up in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Tree Swallow \u00a9 Steve Nikola","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/4680Steve_Nikola21176.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/4680Steve_Nikola21176.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/4680Steve_Nikola21176.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/05\/4680Steve_Nikola21176.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9419,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-catch-of-the-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":480,"position":5},"title":"Take 5: Catch of the Day","author":"Ryan D.","date":"July 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summertime and the fishing is good! Check out these five photos (all submitted in past years to our annual photo contest) of birds chowing down on the catch of the day, including everything from fish to frogs to spiny crustaceans! Have you taken a great photo of wildlife chowing down\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/07\/Christopher_CicconeFI.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/07\/Christopher_CicconeFI.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/07\/Christopher_CicconeFI.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=480"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/480\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=480"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=480"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}