Flying the Coop

I took a walk to the wildlife sanctuary in hopes of catching a last view of my “friends” before they left town, but they had already departed.

The Ospreys fly into New England, and especially Rhode Island to nest and raise their young in the spring. The fish hawks stay the summer on the edges of the salt marshes, high up in their lofty nests. The raptors are as big as Bald Eagles, and easy to spot. They fly over the waterways, and after spotting the prey with their keen eyesight, dive feet first into the river, catching fish with sharp talons. To watch them hunt is impressive.

In the 70’s they were endangered due to man’s use of chemicals such as DDT. The pesticide was banned in 1972, and the birds began a comeback. Rules prohibiting the Coast Guard from disturbing their nests on channel markers helped as well. The New England shores are dotted with tall poles that the birds can use to create nests and they favor cell towers as well.

When temperatures begin to cool in mid September, the Osprey begin their long journey to South America for the winter.

My walk revealed only empty nests, and I’ll miss their signature cry and and sight of them circling overhead.