Did you know that Ospreys... plummet feet-first up to 40 metres toward a single fish in the water can snap their talons shut in 2/100 of a second have a rotating outer toe that can grasp objects from the front or the back catch and eat live fish only, with few exceptions shake water off themselves like dogs—in midair generally pair for life, but sometimes "divorce" if mating is unsuccessful females choose males on the basis of real estate (nest quality and location, location, location!) pairs that lose their eggs or young may build alternate "frustration" nests have been known to use hula hoops, rag dolls and toy boats as nesting material (perhaps they pick this stuff up for the kids?) will grow accustomed to repeated activities like cars driving by parents withhold food from fledglings to encourage them to leave fledged young sometimes visit nearby nests where they are fed by other parents Read about these and other interesting facts in Alan Poole's Ospreys: A Natural and Unnatural History, Cambridge University Press, 1989

It came to the attention of the Nova Scotia Bird Society in the late 1970s that Nova Scotia was one of the only provinces that hadn't yet appointed a provincial bird. We were well represented in the botanical department, with the Mayflower as our floral emblem, and the Red Spruce as our official tree. Touted by the Nova Scotia Bird Society as "a sad state of affairs" in a 1989 letter to premier Buchanan, the rally began for the quintessential Nova Scotian bird.

This was a story that generated a lot of public and media interest. Letters of support arrived in newsrooms around the province, and a CBC listener poll was taken by Information Morning in 1990. Though a 1990 Chronicle-Herald poll seemed to rally support for the Blue Jay, callers to CBC vouched for the Osprey. Other species that were pitched included the White-throated Sparrow, the Grey Jay, the Common Loon and Sable Island's very own Ipswich Sparrow.

In 1990 the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History established the Provincial Bird Working Group. Later taking cue from the CBC poll, they embarked upon a campaign to name the Osprey as the province's avian symbol. About 70 wildlife and environmental groups and individuals were given the opportunity to comment on the Osprey's potential appointment, and the responses were interesting. Here is a smattering of what people thought of the Osprey's suitability:

"It is symbolic of a species returning from a precarious situation" —Bernice Moores, Halifax Field Naturalists

"Makes his living from the waterways and inlets of the province, goes quietly about his business." —R.H. Parker, New Glasgow

"Very wisely it is quite rare in winter! Like many Nova Scotians this bird is no fool and spends its winters in Florida." —Sean Smith for CHRHS

"The provincial bird doesn't have to be a spectacular performing species which gets a lot of attention from onlookers" —A.B.(Bud) Inglis, President, Halifax Wildlife Association, citing the Gray Jay as a better choice

"This is a much maligned species that does not deserve its evil reputation." —Peter Hope, Chief Park Interpreter, Kejimkujik National Park on his preference for the Great Black-backed Gull

Keeping the lights on and the Ospreys safe

You've probably seen them while driving on the Trans-Canada highway—piles of twigs and branches perched precariously high on top of power poles. In the summer, you might even catch a glimpse of a head or two poking up expectantly. Ospreys love to build their huge nests up in high, unobstructed places. Power poles are very attractive to the Osprey, but as convenient and plentiful as they are, they carry with them the deadly threats of fire and electrocution.

A simple event such as a stick falling onto the wires can cause the electrical lines to short out, and cause loss of power. The additional possibility of the Ospreys themselves shorting out power by touching two wires simultaneously is very real, particularly among clumsy fledglings. This, of course, is an expensive inconvenience for the residents and businesses affected, not to mention certain death to the bird. But the Ospreys are fortunate enough to enjoy positive public sentiment, and this has led to the creation of nest relocation partnerships between the power companies and wildlife groups.

Research has proven that simply removing the nests isn't enough, since the Ospreys will usually rebuild on the same spot. One can install "invalidation structures" on the site, which are basically pieces of wood or other material that make nesting impossible. But in areas where natural nesting sites are few, it is most humane to provide an alternative. This can involve a number of options, from moving the actual nest to a safer area on the utility pole, to erecting an alternate pole and platform nearby. A 1986 research report prepared by the Nova Scotia Power Corporation in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forests concluded that Ospreys will quickly adopt alternate nest sites. The report, labelled Osprey Nesting on Transmission Lines, now serves as a helpful "how-to" guide for other provinces and countries wishing to keep the lights on and the Ospreys safe.

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