Osprey Habitat Restoration
Published on November 18, 2011
The Osprey is a magnificent bird of prey found living throughout vast areas of the world with the exception of Antarctica. Although the osprey is native to every continent, but they are only known to be full time residents to few regions in the United States- one being the Alabama Coast. The Osprey lives primarily near watersheds where they have easy access to seafood which makes up for 99% of the osprey’s diet.
Osprey sustain their preferred diet of seafood by being well established fishers. Osprey will plunge from 30-120 feet in the air to catch a fish with their well-equipped talons. A unique characteristic of ospreys is their ability to fully submerge in the water when diving for fish. This is remarkable because of the energy required to take off after entering and exiting the water with great ease. This also unique to the Osprey considering eagles and other birds of prey have not been apt to take this daring plunge into the water.
The Osprey population throughout North America is threatened due to a number of factors: loss of habitat and the introduction and the use of the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) throughout the 50s. DTT is a powerful insecticide that was considered harmless at initial use and was used generously throughout the United States. DDT presented a severe consequences to many populations or birds including the Osprey. The chemical make-up of DDT interferes with the complete formulation of the birds’ eggs, rendering them weak and vulnerable thus a detriment to the survival of hatchlings. The devastating effects DDT had on populations of birds sparked famous environmentalist Rachel Carson to write her book A Silent Spring which was a powerful catalyst to the environmental movement.
This decline in population of Ospreys due to the use of DDT took its toll on wildlife over 60 years ago and this underlines the lasting impact that human actions may take on the natural world. However, in wake of such destruction caused by DDT there are many things humans can do in order to secure the future of Ospreys.
Building Osprey platforms is an effective way to promote Osprey reproduction and provide a safe and desirable place for the birds to call home. Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) follows their mission of coastal conservation by being a big part of the osprey platform initiatives.
by KO
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