Osprey

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class="breadcrumbs__item"><a href="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues" class="breadcrumbs__link">Learn the Issues</a></li> </ol> </nav> <h1 class="pageHeader__title">Osprey</h1> <div class="blurb pageHeader__blurb"><p>These raptors may be found on nearly every corner of the world, but the Chesapeake region is home to the largest concentration of nesting osprey.</p></div> </div> </header> <section class="l-master__main l-twoColumn" id="" > <div class="l-twoColumn__main" id="two-column-main"> <figure class="figure"> <div class="videoWrapper"> <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/90694540?h=e95c155324&app_id=122963" width="1280" height="720" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen title="Bay 101: Ospreys"></iframe> </div> <figcaption class="figure__caption">Scientist Rebecca Lazarus with the U.S. Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center takes us to Poplar Island, Maryland, to show us how she conducts contamination studies on the local osprey population and to explain why the bird is so important to researchers. <strong>Produced by:</strong> Steve Droter/Chesapeake Bay Program</figcaption> </figure> <h2 id="overview">Overview</h2> <p>Ospreys are one of the most iconic species in the Chesapeake Bay. While they鈥檙e found across the world, the largest concentration of the rapture exists right here in the Chesapeake region. They arrive in the Chesapeake Bay region in early March and remain here through spring and summer, when they migrate southward for the winter in mid-August.聽</p> <h2 id="how-many-ospreys-are-in-the-chesapeake-bay">How many ospreys are in the Chesapeake Bay?</h2> <figure id="8b0e86b0-ffc9-4b3e-9cbe-5f6501d71cb0" class="responsiveMedia figure mediaLeft"> <img class="responsiveMedia__image figure__image" src="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/infographics/_900xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none/osprey-info.jpg" srcset="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/infographics/_1800xAUTO_crop_center-center_100_none/osprey-info.jpg 2x" width="900" height="485" alt="Infographic indicating that there are around 20,000 ospreys that breed on the Chesapeake Bay and 100,000 ospreys in the world."><figcaption class="figure__caption"> The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to the largest concentration of breeding ospreys in the world. Banning the chemical DDT, creating man-made nesting sites and reintroducing osprey to areas with high-quality habitat have had a positive impact on osprey populations. (Data provided by the Center for Conservation Biology.) <details class="accordion figure__longdesc" style="--mt:2"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link">Show image description</summary> <div class="accordion__body" style="--accordionBodyBlockSpacing:.1em"> <p>The infographic features two nest platforms that are being used by breeding pairs of ospreys. One platform is very tall, and its nest contains two ospreys. The second platform is short, and its nest contains one osprey. The tall platform represents the estimated world osprey population of 100,000. The short platform represents the estimated 20,000 ospreys that breed on the Chesapeake Bay.</p> </div> </details> </figcaption> </figure> <p>Estimates from the <a href="https://ccbbirds.org/">Center for Conservation Biology</a> place the Bay's current osprey population at eight to 10,000 breeding pairs, with the world population estimated at fewer than 100,000 birds. This is a significant increase from the 1970鈥檚 when it was estimated that there were as few as 1,450 breeding pairs. Research from the 1990鈥檚 showed an increase in reproduction among breeding pairs, with rates growing from less than 0.8 young produced per active pair in the 1960s to more than 1.2 young produced per active pair in the mid-1980s. Reproduction rates returned to less than one young produced per pair in the late 1980s.</p> <h2 id="what-impacts-ospreys">What impacts ospreys?</h2> <p>In the Chesapeake Bay, ospreys are most impacted by habitat loss, access to fish and the release of toxic contaminants into the water. Ospreys live along the tidal portions of the Bay, where they make their nests and hunt for food. Development on shorelines can replace or disrupt this habitat, while low populations of fish can make it difficult for osprey to support their young. Additionally, toxic contaminants make it up the food chain and impact the health and reproduction of ospreys.</p> <h2 id="ospreys-breeding-in-the-bay">Ospreys breeding in the Bay</h2> <p>Historically, the Chesapeake Bay has supported the largest concentration of breeding ospreys in the world. Ospreys are typically monogamous and will mate for life. Breeding pairs have been known to return to the same nest site year after year. Females lay three eggs between mid-April and late May, which incubate for 38 to 42 days. Access to trees or man-made platforms to nest in is crucial for the survival of ospreys, as they need a place to safely keep their eggs from predators. Each summer, you can watch osprey eggs hatch through nesting cams from the <a href="https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/ospreycam">Chesapeake Conservancy</a> or<a href="https://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/ospreys/osprey-cam.html">Chesapeake Bay Foundation</a>.</p> <h2 id="the-recovery-of-ospreys-in-the-chesapeake-bay">The recovery of ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay</h2> <p>While the widespread use of toxic pesticides pushed populations of ospreys to an estimated low of 1,450 breeding pairs in the early 1970s, a 1972 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ddt-brief-history-and-status">ban</a> on the pesticide DDT helped populations recover. By the mid-1990s, an estimated 3,500 breeding pairs were found on the Bay, and breeding was documented on almost half of the Bay's tidal tributaries. Today, an estimated eight to 10,000 breeding pairs live in the Bay.</p><p>Restoration efforts have included reintroduction programs, where wildlife biologists release osprey into areas with high quality habitat, as well as the creation of man-made nest sites to counter the loss of trees. Today, many osprey populations nest almost entirely on artificial nest sites, becoming an iconic site in the Chesapeake Bay.聽</p> <h2 id="what-you-can-do">What you can do</h2> <p>To protect osprey, consider using non-toxic pesticides or chemical-free cleaning products to curb the amount of toxic contaminants entering the water. You can also follow safe and legal disposal methods for paint, motor oil and other household chemicals, and keep pharmaceuticals out of waterways by returning unused medicine to a consumer drug return location.</p> <aside class="callout callout--progress"> <h2 class="callout__title">Partnership goals<span class="appendedIcon">&zwj;<img src="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/assets/images/progress-logo--icon.svg" width="84" height="37" alt=""></span></h2> <p>While the Chesapeake Bay Program has no specific goal related to the conservation of ospreys, a number of our outcomes benefit the species. This includes our <a href="https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/conserved-lands/protected-lands">Protected Lands Outcome</a>, which aims to protect an additional two million acres of lands throughout the watershed by 2025. According to data collected through 2022, nearly 1.64 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have been permanently protected since 2010.</p> <a href="https://www.chesapeakeprogress.com/conserved-lands/protected-lands" class="pageLink--inverse" target="_blank">Track our work at ChesapeakeProgress.com<span class="appendedIcon">&zwj;<i class="fas fa-angle-right"></i></span></a> </aside> </div> <div class="l-twoColumn__asides" id="two-column-asides"> <aside class="panel loboOwl"> <h2 class="h4">FAQ</h2> <div class="ladder"> <details class="accordion"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link"><h3 class="u-step-0">How many acres of forest are lost in the Chesapeake Bay region each day?</h3></summary> <div class="accordion__body"> <p>Between 1982 and 1997, the Bay watershed lost more than 750,000 acres of forestland鈥攁bout 100 acres per day. In 2006, this rate fell to an estimated <a href="/state/tree_cover">70 acres per day</a>, but it remains unsustainable.</p> </div> </details> <details class="accordion"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link"><h3 class="u-step-0">What is an ecosystem?</h3></summary> <div class="accordion__body"> <p> An ecosystem is a complex set of relationships among animals, plants, habitats, people and non-living things. All parts of an ecosystem interact with and depend on each other in some way.</p> </div> </details> <details class="accordion"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link"><h3 class="u-step-0">Why are estuaries important?</h3></summary> <div class="accordion__body"> <p> Estuaries are among the most productive environments on earth, creating more organic matter each year than similarly-sized forests and agricultural areas. Estuaries also provide diverse habitats for wildlife and aquatic life, protect our communities against flooding, reduce pollution to waterways, and support local economies through commercial and recreational activities.</p> </div> </details> <div> <a href="/discover/faq" class="pageLink">More FAQs<span class="appendedIcon">&zwj;<i class="fas fa-angle-right"></i></span></a> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="panel loboOwl"> <h2 class="h4">Terms</h2> <div class="ladder"> <details class="accordion"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link u-bold">Raptor</summary> <div class="accordion__body"> <p>A bird of prey, including eagles, ospreys and hawks.</p> </div> </details> <details class="accordion"> <summary class="accordion__handle accordion__handle--link u-bold">Deforestation</summary> <div class="accordion__body"> <p>The removal of a forest, woodland or stand of trees without adequate replanting or natural regeneration.</p> </div> </details> <div> <a href="/discover/glossary" class="pageLink">All Terms<span class="appendedIcon">&zwj;<i class="fas fa-angle-right"></i></span></a> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="loboOwl" style="--mt:8"> <h2 class="h3">Related Issues</h2> <div class="xScroll xScroll--cards xScroll--cancelForTabletUp"> <div class="xScroll__items"> <article class="card card--cta xScroll__item"> <div class="card__body"> <h3 class="card__title"> <a href="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/whats-at-risk/bald-eagles" class="card__link">Bald Eagles</a> </h3> </div> <figure class="card__imageCont"> <img class="card__image" src="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/_431x287_crop_center-center_none/09.22_bald-eagle_Issue.jpg" width="431" height="287" srcset="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/_862x574_crop_center-center_none/09.22_bald-eagle_Issue.jpg 2x" alt="Bald eagle soaring." /> </figure> </article> <article class="card card--cta xScroll__item"> <div class="card__body"> <h3 class="card__title"> <a href="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/whats-at-risk/blue-crabs" class="card__link">Blue Crabs</a> </h3> </div> <figure class="card__imageCont"> <img class="card__image" src="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/images/content/_431x287_crop_center-center_none/06.17_crabs_issues_image.jpg" width="431" height="287" srcset="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/images/content/_862x574_crop_center-center_none/06.17_crabs_issues_image.jpg 2x" alt="Chesapeake Bay blue crab" /> </figure> </article> <article class="card card--cta xScroll__item"> <div class="card__body"> <h3 class="card__title"> <a href="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/whats-at-risk/oysters" class="card__link">Oysters</a> </h3> </div> <figure class="card__imageCont"> <img class="card__image" src="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/images/content/_431x287_crop_center-center_none/06.17_oysters_issues_image.jpg" width="431" height="287" srcset="https://www.chesapeakebay.net/files/images/content/_862x574_crop_center-center_none/06.17_oysters_issues_image.jpg 2x" alt="A pile of oyster shells." /> </figure> </article> </div> </div> <div> <a href="/issues" class="pageLink">View All Issues<span class="appendedIcon">&zwj;<i class="fas fa-angle-right"></i></span></a> </div> </aside> </div> </section> </article> </main> <footer class="footer"> <div class="footer__callout"> <div class="contentContainer"> <h2 class="footer__calloutHeader">Connect with us. 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Osprey