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Osprey

Status Fairly common in summer, very rare in winter. Breeds. Ospreys first arrive in late March or early April (average 5 April, earliest 15 March) and are widespread by May. They are most common in summer around shallow bays and estuaries, nesting on islands, shorelines, and occasionally far from water. There are distinct movements from mid-August through September, but last sightings of the year may be much later (average 22 October, latest 8 December). One on Brier Island was hovering over a trout-stocked pond on 13 January 1969 and next day was seen near the lighthouse (W.L. Lent). During January and February 1975, a bird was seen several times in the vicinity of Cole Harbour, Halifax County, by Fulton Lavender; he saw another in the same area the following January. Several other winter reports have come from inexperienced observers or without details. Such winter stragglers are very rare in the northern part of the Osprey's range.

Description Length: 53-61 cm. Adults: Upperparts dark brown; head and neck white, with a wide black stripe running from the eye down the side of the neck; crown slightly streaked with black. Underparts white except breast, which bears faint streaks of dark brown, especially in female. Cere, legs and feet bluish gray.

Breeding Nest: Of coarse sticks; usually in trees from 6-20 m up, occasionally on rocky cliffs, and very rarely on the ground. Nests are usually placed in dead trees, frequently in burned-over areas where they may be seen from a considerable distance. Nests generally are used from year to year until blown down or until the birds are driven elsewhere by human interference. Eggs: 2-4, usually 3; dull white, heavily blotched with various shades and densities of rich brown, chiefly around the larger end. Sometimes they are so heavily pigmented that little of the white ground colour can be seen.

Repair of old nests begins soon after arrival and egg laying starts two weeks later and continues over several weeks. Hatching commences in June, fledging as early as late July. A study in Antigonish County found that, on average, slightly more than one young was fledged per nest in 1975 and 1976 (Prevost et al. 1978). In recent years, Ospreys have taken to nesting on electric power poles and towers, endangering themselves and threatening power failures. They can be encouraged to use nearby nest platforms instead (Austin-Smith and Rhodenizer 1983), and these are being made more widely available, with much success. Unlike most other members of the hawk family, Ospreys are not bold in defence of their nests when they contain eggs, but they do become more belligerent as their offspring develop.

Range Breeds from northwestern Alaska, northern Manitoba, central Quebec and central Labrador, south to Mexico and Cuba. Winters in the Gulf States, Mexico, Baja California, and Central and South America. Additional races occur in other parts of the world.

Remarks It is probable that the Osprey lives entirely on live fish, which it catches by spectacular diving. Watchfully winging its way 30 or more metres above the water, it pauses to hover when a fish is sighted near the surface. Having marked its prospective victim, it drops like a bolt out of the blue with wings half-folded, striking the water with its breast (rather than head first), sending the spray in all directions. Sometimes it disappears momentarily below the surface. Taking off once again, it soon pauses in flight to shake the water from its plumage. A small fish is held by one talon, a larger fish by both. All are carried off in streamlined position, head first. Usually the bird is rewarded the first time for its diving effort, but not infrequently it misses the target and the fish escapes. On a small saltwater inlet in Mahone Bay, Lunenburg County, on 10 August 1938, I watched one dive three consecutive times before it was successful.

In some places Ospreys are known to nest in colonies, some of considerable size. However, in Nova Scotia nests are generally isolated.

In many parts of North America this species declined in number due to increased concentrations of poison found in the fishes it eats, accumulated as a result of the indiscriminate use of pesticides. However, the decline was not as apparent in Nova Scotia. With the restriction and elimination of some responsible pesticides, the bird has increased in recent years. It is estimated that there are more than 250 active nests in the province (P.J. Austin-Smith).