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Birding
By Brian Morin
A Story of Survival
Ospreys offer a lesson in agility and resilience
What do Aristotle and Shakespeare have in common
with many residents of Eastern Ontario?
Based on accounts in literature, they clearly
enjoyed watching the antics of Ospreys.The fish-hawk,as it
is sometimes called, is found across the world but Canada
has historically been one if its strongholds.
One of the thrills of being along Eastern Ontario’s
lakes and rivers during the summer is watching this magnificent
bird hunting. A little smaller than an eagle, with
more slender, angled wings, this locally common species
plies our waterways in search of its next meal, but it was
not always so.
When we were growing up, the population of Ospreys
in North America was in serious trouble thanks to a
buildup in their bodies of the insecticide DDT. The birds
absorbed the chemical from the fish they ate, causing thinner
eggshells to be produced.This usually resulted in total
nest failure, and with fewer young being born, the species
was dying out.
After DDT was banned in the U.S. in 1972, the population
in North America slowly rebounded.With the help of
a recovery program to increase nesting opportunities,
Ospreys are now enjoying a period of growth.Was it a good
thing to ban what was once considered a wonder chemical?
Ask the mothers who were feeding their own offspring
DDT-laced breast milk.The chemical was everywhere. We
can thank the Osprey and other birds of prey for being the
proverbial “canaries in the mineshaft.”
Today,efforts to encourage Osprey breeding have been
July/August 2008 • 80 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
so successful that the birds have become something of a
status symbol. Anyone with a breeding pair on their land
has bragging rights and there is a waiting list for those near
suitable shoreline areas who want to have a nesting platform
erected. That includes members of the rich and
famous — anyone with the cash can buy a hot recreational
property but not everyone gets an Osprey!
What endears Ospreys to so many of us is a combination
of its size, attractive features and its interesting behaviour.
Hovering, often at great height, it dives feet first into
the usually shallow water after spotting an unsuspecting
fish. Sometimes it will be completely submerged for a
moment. Then it fights to get its huge, lightly-oiled wings
above the surface, shaking off the water in mid-air like a
dog while still clutching its meal.
Its long sharp talons can snap shut on its prey in
1/50th of a second and the slippery catch is held firmly
with the aid of spiny pads on the soles of its feet. Showing
great strength,the bird struggles to become airborne.Once
up, the Osprey heads to a favourite perch or back to its
nest. For aerodynamic purposes, Ospreys fly with their
prey facing forward.They can flip the fish around with the
help of a reversible outer toe that can be either at the front
of the foot or moved to the back.
For two months during the breeding season, fishing is
almost exclusively a guy thing (sounds familiar).The female
tends to her eggs and remains with the young during their
early weeks.The male must feed her and up to three rapidly
growing chicks, as well as himself. In unusually cold and
PHOTO: BRIAN MORIN