megram - Index

megram - 55JulOttawa - Index

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 DDTlaced
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 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 breed-
ing 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
wet years,the male’s skills may be seriously
tested. Significant mortality can
occur among the young if he comes
up short.
Many of the Ospreys breeding in
Downsize
your home,
upgrade
your life.
����������������
����������������
������������������
��������������
� �����������������������������
�����������������������������
���������������������������������
������������������������������
������������������������������
������������������������������
����������������������������
���������������������������������
��������������������������
The ENERGY STAR® mark is
administered and promoted in Canada
by Natural Resources Canada
July/August 2008 • Ottawa 13 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
the southern part of the province use
nesting platforms.A telephone pole is
erected at a suitable site, usually close
to a lake or river and a flat box with
shallow sides is securely fastened on
top. The birds do the rest. Adults will
fashion a massive nest of sticks, cattails,
rope, plastic or whatever suits
their fancy. It will be added to each
year. Natural sites include stumps
close to the water and large dead
trees.
�������������
��������������
������������
�������
�������
������
������
�������������
��������������
������������
��������������������������������
���������������������������
��������������������
�����������������
���������������
������������������������