March 28, 2024

Osprey Population Continues to Soar in the Ocean State Audubon Citizen Science Program Keeps a Close Eye on the Species

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(July 7, 2017) – They tread the trails leading to the nest, grab their binoculars or scope, adjust the lenses, wait and watch, and finally take notes on what they see. This routine is repeated bi-weekly from April to July by over 100 Audubon volunteers across the state. They are keeping a very close eye on the local population of Ospreys and collecting valuable data from over 230 nests - monitoring the health of the species and the habitats in which they live.

Osprey continue to be an excellent indicator of environmental health in aquatic ecosystems, as their remarkable recovery from the effects of DDT is truly an environmental success story. Thanks to efforts by Audubon Society of Rhode Island and other environmental groups, DDT was banned in 1972 and Osprey have made a tremendous comeback in Rhode Island.

In 2016, over 1,300 volunteer hours were spent monitoring the species. “These dedicated volunteers provide scientists and policy-makers with information about fish populations and the health of our local ponds, rivers, marshes, lakes and the bay,” explained Audubon Director of Volunteer Services Jon Scoones. “Osprey are an indicator species, and as such provide feedback on the level of impact humans have on these unique and vital places.”

Audubon recorded 297 fledglings in 2016, up from 239 in 2015. There were just just 8 fledglings in 1977, the year the program was founded. The attached 2016 Rhode Island Osprey Report provides charts on both the number of nests and young Osprey fledged annually since 1977. Also included are the quantity and location of nests per city or town in the state.






Become a Citizen Scientist and Join the Fun!
The 2017 monitoring program is well underway, but for those who may be interested in becoming a volunteer monitor in 2018 or just want to learn more about this citizen-science program, contact Jon Scoones at jscoones@asri.org or visit www.riosprey.info

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