Welcome Back Osprey
Location: Indian River Life-Saving Station, Delaware Seashore State Park
April 18,2010
Begins: 2:00 PM
The osprey - the most visible raptor in the Inland Bays region of Delaware - traditionally returns to the First State around March 17 each year. But where have they been? How long will there be here?
Learn about osprey migration and their schedule of activities during time on the breeding season grounds by joining a Delaware Seashore State Park naturalist. After an indoor presentation, the group will travel by vehicle to some good locations for watching osprey behavior during the spring and summer months in the Park.
Like the iconic bald eagle, the ospre suffered a population decline between 1955 and 1980, largely due to pesticides and other pollutants. Environmental cleanup, which started in the 1970s, permitted a resurgent population growth for both the osprey and the bald eagle. In recent years, about 50 nesting pairs of osprey have been observed around the Inland Bays. This is about a third of the State's total number of "Fish Hawks."
Participants in the "Welcome Back Osprey" program should wear shoes that can get a little muddy and bring binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars will be available for loan.
The fee for this program is $5 and space is limited so please contact the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum at 302-227-6991 to pre-register.
