Help the Osprey

The osprey, also known as a fish hawk since it dines nearly exclusively on fish, is one of the most recognized large birds in the world. Though the brown and white birds are often mistaken for eagles, the osprey is smaller, its black bracelets (marks on its wrists), and crook in its wing as it flies clearly distinguishes it from other birds of prey, explains U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) biologist Pete McGowan.

Sadly, in the early 1970's, ospreys were nearly wiped out by the pesticide DDT. Fortunately, the birds have made a rather remarkable comeback since the pesticide was banned. Today, they are found on all continents except Antarctica, proudly perching on the sides of their huge nests of jumbled sticks.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Chesapeake Bay, where the abundance of osprey has led to the Bay being called the "Osprey Garden of the World." (According to USFWS, there are about 3,600 pairs of breeding ospreys in the Bay.) However, trash clearly poses a threat to the well-being of these magnificent birds.

Mr. McGowan, who has been studying osprey for the past several years with colleagues from the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, recently evaluated the latest data for 156 osprey nests that were surveyed in Maryland tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. He found:

  • 46% of the nests contained fishing line

  • 56 % of the nests contained fishing line and similar cordage materials

  • 50% of the nests contained some type of man-made trash such as plastic bags, clothing, toys etc.

  • In some tributaries fishing line was found in 60-100% of the nests surveyed.

He encourages you to properly dispose of your fishing gear and debris. Here's how YOU can help the ospreys:

  • Safely stow or throw away any unused fishing line, tackle, and other trash so that birds and other animals will not become entangled in these materials.
  • Recycle monofilament line when feasible.
  • If fishing line is to be discarded, take it home and cut it into small pieces first; then dispose of it in a trashcan.
  • Do not throw any plastic-or pieces of plastic-into the water.
  • If you find fishing line, balloon ribbon, kite string, rope, or other debris that may harm wildlife, dispose of it properly.

If you see a bird in trouble, please do not try to rescue it. You could hurt yourself or the bird.

In Maryland, Contact:

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research: 302-737-9543
(answered from 9 am - 5 pm EST daily)
www.tristatebird.org

Wildlife Rescue, Inc: 443-507-0950
www.wildliferescueinc.org

or Call the Chesapeake Bay Safety and Environmental Hotline at
1-877-224-7229

Nationwide Contact:

Search: www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactA.htm#md, for the wildlife rehabber nearest you.







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