Picture of striking falcon

The Raptor
Resource Project
 2729 Locust Road
Decorah, IA 52101
563-382-6300

Bob Anderson
Director
Email

Amy Ries
Webmaster
amy@wordwell.com

 

 

  
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Home >> Ospreys

 Osprey Wav | Osprey Cam | Boy Scout Osprey Pole
The only member of its family, the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large fish eating bird of prey that occurs worldwide. Like the Peregrine falcon and Bald Eagle, the Osprey suffered greatly from the use of DDT and, like the Peregrine and Bald Eagle, is making a comeback. Ospreys feed almost entirely on live fish that they catch by diving feet first into the water.  When an Osprey emerges, it shakes the water from its feathers and lifts off the the fish in its talons.  As soon as it clears the water, it arranges the fish in its talons to face forward to reduce drag. Hear an Osprey
When hunting, the Osprey will hover 50' to 150' over the water. When it sees a fish it will dive like a falcon, sometimes going completely under the water. Bald Eagles are often observed robbing Ospreys of their hard earned catch.  

Like many other birds of prey, the female is larger then the male.  The female Osprey can have a wingspread of almost 5 feet and the male about 4 feet. This photo was taken in the Spring of 1999.

Ospreys will often nest on artificial platforms. Many individuals and organizations have worked together over the years to create an urban nesting population of Ospreys in the Twin Cities. Ospreys nest at NSP King, Otter Lake, the old ammunition factory (this pole was put up by Boy Scouts), French Regional Park, and Carver Park. Ray Hermann and Randy Christman  coordinate most project-related Osprey activities. The Osprey pictures were taken by Tom Crum at Arsenal aluminum nesting pole. Note: Photo at left copyright NSP. Except where noted, all photos copyright Tom Crumm.
The Osprey family at the old ammunition plant. Osprey young are very cryptic - that is, very hard to see. When their parents are gone, the young often flatten themselves against the bottom of the nest, assuring near invisibility to any nearby birds of prey. Since Ospreys nest in the open, not under a canopy of trees, it is very important for the young to remain hidden, since they would make easy prey for another bird. This photo was taken in the Spring of 1999.
A young Osprey testing its wings. The other chick can be seen poking its head out of the nest.
Both young.

A second Osprey pole was set up at Arden Hills, Minnesota. RRP volunteer Ray Hermann coordinated a November Eagle Scout Project (Troop #408) for a second aluminum pole at the Army Ammunition Plant nature area. This pole, on Sunfish Lake, is 1 mile from a similar pole which fledged Ospreys in 1998 and 1999! 

The following group of pictures shows Boy Scout Troop #297 from Roseville, MN, putting up an Osprey pole in the Fall of 1997. The pole is located at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (no longer in operation). A pair of Ospreys nested here in the Spring, fledging two young (a male and a female). The project was coordinated by Ray Hermann (pictures copyright Ray Hermann).

Carrying the Pole Carrying the aluminum pole to the nature outlook area.
Filling the basket with sticks Filling the nest box with starter sticks and branches.
Digging the hole Digging the hole to five feet deep.
Raising the pole Raising the pole "Iwo-Jima style" is a team effort!
Backfilling and tamping Backfilling and tamping dirt while leveling pole.
Finished! Project complete, ready for next Spring's Osprey nesting season!