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April 4, 2006
RADIO-TAGGED FEMALE OSPREY BEGINS NORTHWARD MIGRATION
Wildlife biologists believe bird is returning to nesting platform
at Alum Creek Reservoir in Delaware County
Follow the migration | Osprey in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH - The female half of a pair of osprey, whose migration patterns are being studied by wildlife biologists, has begun her journey north from South America, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Last year, the pair successfully nested at Alum Creek Reservoir in Delaware County and raised three chicks before heading south in the fall.
The female osprey left her wintering area on the Amazon River about 19 miles east of Tabatinga, Brazil on March 28 and, to date, has flown 500 miles, entering Venezuela on March 30.
The male of this pair left Brazil on March 7, arrived back in Ohio on March 31, and was sighted in Delaware County on April 2, after briefly flying 70 miles north into Huron County and circling back to Alum Creek to begin building a nest on the same platform the pair used last year.
It is anticipated that the female will arrive in Ohio around April 22, depending on weather conditions.
The pair of birds were fitted with radio transmitters last summer, enabling wildlife biologists to monitor their yearly migration patterns. After leaving the Alum Creek area in September, the birds covered more than 3,500 miles over the course of one month, both ending their migration for the winter in Brazil. Although they left central Ohio nearly a week apart in the fall, at the end of their respective migrations they were within 300 miles of each other along the Amazon River.
“Because of the transmissions received, we have learned where the birds winter, as well as the timing and route of their migration,” said Dave Sherman, ODNR wildlife biologist. “However, new questions have arisen: Why did the female move 500 miles in January and why did the male initially overshoot Alum Creek?” The Division plans on monitoring the ospreys for one more full migration cycle.
The Division of Wildlife began reintroducing osprey to the state in 1996, releasing 32 birds that year. In 2005, a record 37 osprey pairs produced 62 chicks in Ohio. Ospreys are a state-endangered species.
The osprey reintroduction effort is partially funded by donations to the state income tax check-off program for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species. Contributions to the fund can be made by checking line 29 on form 1040 or line 20 on EZ form on the 2005 state income tax form. Donations can be made via the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife. Click on the red “donate” button on the left side of the page.
Osprey restoration is also funded by sales of cardinal license plates, which can be purchased through a deputy registrar license outlet, on the Internet at OPLATES.com or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3.
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For Further Information Contact:
Dave Sherman, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(419) 898-0960
-or-
Vicki Ervin, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6558
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860
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