Outer Banks: Osprey with Fish
It may be six more weeks till Spring in Punxsutawney, PA, but here on the Outer Banks spring has officially arrived.
Daffodils are out, tulips are popping out of the ground, AND the true telltale sign, the first Osprey was spotted this morning.
Migrating as far as South America, or as close as Florida, Ospreys – also known as Sea Hawks or Fish Hawks – are generally associated with the return of Spring.
An iconic symbol of the Outer Banks, the osprey is loved by locals and visitors alike. Almost extinct in the 60’s due to wide spread use of pesticides like DDT, the osprey population has seen healthy growth over the last few decades. As human encroachment on habitat continues to increase, the number of suitable natural nesting sites continue to decline. Without such a nesting site mating pairs will simply not reproduce, hence the construction of numerous man-made nesting platforms throughout the Outer Banks.
Ospreys mate for life and will generally return to the same nesting platform year after year. Their diet is 90% comprised of fish and they are uniquely built for catching them. Their vision is such that they can see through the surface glare of water; they have closable nostrils to keep water out during dives; and they have reversible outer toes and backward facing scales on their talons which act as barbs to hold onto prey.
It is an amazing sight to see an osprey dive, hit the water and come out with a sizable fish. Once airborne – sometimes holding onto the fish with only one talon – their wings fiercely beating to gain altitude, their legs and talons are working to secure and orient the fish for the flight to a suitable spot to dine. It is wonderful display of skill and coordination.
No wonder everyone loves this spectacular bird. And, no wonder one of my favorite days of the entire year is the day I see my first osprey!
Nice to see you Spring. 
The martins will be next!
