Osprey Pandion Haliaetus Research Articles

Effects of predator exposure on baseline and stress-induced glucocorticoid hormone concentrations in pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus.

We compared baseline and maximal cortisol concentrations between predator exposure and prey blood samples in pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, captured using a standardised fishing event underneath osprey Pandion haliaetus nests and away from osprey nests. We did not detect differences in cortisol or glucose between sites. These findings suggest that predictable sources of predation risk may not confer stress-related costs in teleosts.

An Analysis of Osprey/Chewing Lice Interaction, with a New Record for Saudi Arabia

Parasitism is a hostile relationship that helps greatly in the development and evolution of many creatures in their race for survival. Chewing lice of nestlings of the osprey Pandion haliaetus (L.) have been studied in Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia. All previous chewing lice records from this bird have also been reviewed. Four species of chewing lice are previously known to infest P. haliaetus. The nestlings of the osprey in Farasan were only infested by Colpocephalum turbinatum Denny, 1842. This species of chewing lice is recorded herein for the first time from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its distributional pattern is very characteristic among three different avian orders (Accipitriformes, Columbiformes, and Strigiformes). Colpocephalum turbinatum was found mainly on terrestrial birds of the order Columbiformes and it may be transferred to predatory birds in the other two orders, but the presence of this parasite on some aquatic birds of prey like osprey may indicate that the ancestors of these birds were terrestrial hunters that acquired this louse from their prey such as doves and pigeons before their transference to aquatic life. The pattern of chewing lice distribution through their host populations and habitats may reveal some important ecological and evolutionary events that happened to their hosts in the past.

Autumn Migratory Patterns of North-West Russian Ospreys Pandion Haliaetus

we studied autumn migratory patterns of four north-west Russian Ospreys Pandion haliaetus from 2015 to 2017. No previous information has been published on migration of Russian Ospreys. the mean start date was August 26th and the mean journey distance was 6258km. Ospreys reached their final destinations (in eastern, central or south-western Africa) via Suez and Cyprus. we identified several stop-over areas along these routes. Ospreys mostly showed an intensive off-route displacement during their autumn migration, suggesting that they simultaneously explore areas while travelling. we observed high variability within individuals, which suggests that Ospreys continuously adjust their migratory behaviour according to different environmental cues and internal factors. however, the low repeatability may also suggest that each Osprey is consistent but that all of them change their behaviour in the same way. this is important because it means that the environment encountered along the migratory route may trigger the same response by all individuals.–Babushkin, M., kuznetsov, A. & Delgado, Ma.M. (2019). Autumn migratory patterns of north-west Russian ospreys Pandion haliaetus.Ardeola, 66: 119-128.

Гнездовой статус скопы в Египте (на Красном море) с 2012 по 2018 годы

A new series of Osprey surveys started in early June 2012 and ended in July 2018. The main goal was to survey the local resident breeding Ospreys Pandion haliaetus haliaetus. I also visited the three wintering areas Malaha, Aswan and Lake Nasser. We found breeding and nesting Ospreys in most of the visited Islands at the Red Sea, with nests placed mostly on sand dunes but also on roof tops. A total of only 40 pairs were confirmed breeding in the Red Sea and South Sinai provinces and 16 non-local Osprey were observed at the wintering sites which make Egypt important as a stopover area for Osprey during Spring and Autumn migration. The breeding season of the Osprey in the Red Sea starts from the first week of December in the south of Egypt to the first week of January in the north of Egypt. Osprey’s diet consists entirely of fish and their mainly forage at reef flats and reef edges . Birds from the resident Red Sea population tends to be distinctly smaller and lighter in plumage than birds from the European population. The main threat to the breeding population is human disturbance on the Red Sea coasts and islands. A further artificial nests project at Red Sea Coast is highly recommended to replace the lost nests because of tourism development and increase the Egyptian population to the previous level.

Nest-site selection by Eastern Osprey Pandion haliaetus cristatus in coastal south-eastern Queensland

Ospreys Pandion sp. are found worldwide, and are well known for nesting on anthropogenic structures, especially in highly developed urban coastal areas. In Australia, Eastern Ospreys P. haliaetus cristatus often nest on a variety of artificial structures, although little study has yet been conducted on this behaviour, particularly in rapidly urbanising areas such as south-eastern Queensland. We investigated the characteristics of Eastern Osprey nest-sites while surveying ~200 km of coastline by boat. Two areas with contrasting urbanisation levels were inspected: the highly urbanised coastline fringing the Moreton Bay Marine Park (MBMP), and the less-developed coastal area within the Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP). Nests in both areas had similar levels of exposure and aspect. In MBMP, significantly more nests were found on artificial structures, such as communications towers and navigation beacons, than in GSMP. The selection of these artificial structures potentially increases the risk of harm to the birds and may affect the functioning of the devices, with possible implications for human safety. With increasing human populations in south-eastern Queensland, the provision of alternative nesting options, such as strategically placed platforms, needs to be considered to ensure the continued breeding success of Ospreys in the region and to minimise conflict with humans.

Migrating ospreys use thermal uplift over the open sea.

Most large raptors on migration avoid crossing the sea because of the lack of atmospheric convection over temperate seas. The osprey Pandion haliaetus is an exception among raptors, since it can fly over several hundred kilometres of open water. We equipped five juvenile ospreys with GPS-Accelerometer-Magnetometer loggers. All birds were able to find and use thermal uplift while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, on average 7.5 times per 100 km, and could reach altitudes of 900 m above the sea surface. Their climb rate was 1.6 times slower than over land, and birds kept flapping most of the time while circling in the thermals, indicating that convections cells were weaker than over land. The frequency of thermal soaring was correlated with the difference between the sea surface and air temperature, indicating that atmospheric convection occurred when surface waters were warmer than the overlaying air. These observations help explain the transoceanic cosmopolitan distribution of osprey, and question the widely held assumption that water bodies represent strict barriers for large raptors.

Migration distance affects stopover use but not travel speed: contrasting patterns between long‐ and short‐distance migrating ospreys

The development of migratory behaviour is a continuous process which is not only determined by genes, but also moulded by individual differences based on life‐history variations occurring at each ontogenetic stage. Assessing consistency and plasticity in migratory traits between long distance (LDM) and short distance migratory (SDM) populations within the same species that may express dissimilarities in the leeway of annual schedules is essential to understand the evolution and ontogeny of migratory strategies.We studied the migration strategies in autumn regarding flight speed and the use of stopovers (number and duration of stop‐overs across the whole journey) at the intra‐specific level, by tracking with GPS loggers the intercontinental migration of 43 adult and juvenile ospreys Pandion haliaetus from both LDM and SDM populations.LDM ospreys travelled distances five times larger than SDM ospreys, but their total migration speed was 2.4 times slower. While daily distance travelled did not differ between populations, the reduced total migration speed by LDMs was due to higher stopover use compared to SDM birds. SDM birds used more direct routes, crossing open sea at higher flight speeds, even though both populations largely benefitted from wind assistance across their journey. Across populations, adult birds travelled longer distances per day and displayed less sinuous migratory paths than juveniles, suggesting that migratory capabilities improve with age and experience of the bird. Overall, the time constraint related to total migration distance was not the main driver of the total migration speed, and other factors such as physiological needs to rest and refuel at stopover sites may play an important role. Our study underlines the importance of investigating variability in migration strategies in partially migratory species, for a better understanding of avian migratory ecology.

The price of success: integrative long‐term study reveals ecotourism impacts on a flagship species at a UNESCO site

AbstractDisturbance of wildlife by ecotourism has become a major concern in the last decades. In the Mediterranean, sea‐based tourism and related recreational activities are increasing rapidly, especially within marine protected areas (MPAs) hosting emblematic biodiversity. We investigated the impact of ecotourism in the Scandola MPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site, Corsica island), on the population of a conservation flagship, the Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Over the 37‐year study period, tourists flow increased sharply. Osprey breeding performance initially increased, but then dropped for pairs nesting within the MPA compared to those breeding elsewhere in Corsica. We examined several hypotheses that could explain such reduction in breeding performance. Recent osprey breeding failures in the MPA are not caused by food scarcity. Using underwater fish surveys, we showed that fish consumed by ospreys were more numerous within the MPA. Focal observation at nests revealed that the overall number of boat passages within 250 m of osprey nests were three times higher inside the MPA compared to a control area. Elevated boat traffic significantly modified osprey time‐budgets, by decreasing prey provisioning rate by males, and increasing time spent alarming and flying off the nest in females. This caused stress, and corticosterone levels in chick feathers were three times higher in high‐traffic areas compared to places with lower touristic flow in Corsica, the Balearic Islands and Italy. Overall, our integrative, long‐term study demonstrates the negative impact of sea‐based ecotourism on the Corsican osprey population. This stresses the worldwide importance of rigorously implementing sustainable ecotourism, within well‐enforced MPAs.

Migration and wintering strategies in vulnerable Mediterranean Osprey populations

A broad range of migration strategies exist in avian species, and different strategies can occur in different populations of the same species. For the breeding Osprey Pandion haliaetus populations of the Mediterranean, sporadic observations of ringed birds collected in the past suggested variations in migratory and wintering behaviour. We used GPS tracking data from 41 individuals from Corsica, the Balearic Islands and continental Italy to perform the first detailed analysis of the migratory and wintering strategies of these Osprey populations. Ospreys showed heterogeneous migratory behaviour, with 73% of the individuals migrating and the remaining 27% staying all year round at breeding sites. For migratory individuals, an extremely short duration of migration (5.2 ± 2.6 days) was recorded. Mediterranean Ospreys were able to perform long non‐stop flights over the open sea, sometimes overnight. They also performed pre‐ and post‐migratory trips to secondary sites, before or after crossing the sea during both autumn and spring migration. Ospreys spent the winter at temperate latitudes and showed high plasticity in habitat selection, using marine bays, coastal lagoons/marshland and inland freshwater sites along the coasts of different countries of the Mediterranean basin. Movements and home‐range areas were restricted during the wintering season. The short duration of trips and high levels of variability in migratory routes and wintering grounds revealed high behavioural plasticity among individuals, probably promoted by the relatively low seasonal variability in ecological conditions throughout the year in the Mediterranean region, and weak competition for non‐breeding sites. We stress the importance of considering the diversity in migration strategies and the particular ecology of these vulnerable populations, especially in relation to proactive management measures for the species at the scale of the Mediterranean region.

Tracking the ancestral Portuguese name of the osprey across the Atlantic: hints from language, literature, history and geography

Guincho, the traditional Portuguese name of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is unique and ancestral. It is found in several sorts of fictional literature from the 16th up to the early 20th centuries in the form of a metaphor born from an old popular proverb. The first time the name appears as the vernacular designation of the osprey is in a 17th falconry treatise, and then in old dictionaries and early ornithological monographs and catalogues throughout the 18th to early 20th centuries. In Portugal, however, the name barely survives, partly due to the species demise in the country during the 20th century, but mainly because it was gradually replaced by an erudite term in ornithological literature since the middle 19th century. However, given the conspicuousness of the species and its nests, the name and its composites are retained in a number of places along the coast. And, following the Portuguese diaspora of the 16th-18th centuries, the term spread to the archipelagos of Madeira, Cape Verde and the Canaries where it impregnated the local vocabulary and again gave the name to many coastal places. Then, it moved from the Canaries to the Spanish speaking areas of the Caribbean riding the mass migration of Canary Islanders to the new colonies. In consequence, the traditional Portuguese name of the osprey is still fully used in several island countries across the Atlantic. The remarkable presence of the ancestral Portuguese name of the osprey in language, literature and geography allows its rehabilitation as the proper popular name of the species and sanctions its legitimacy as a tool for reconstructing the ancient historical ranges of the osprey. Ultimately, revaluing the name is also a matter of cultural preservation, which compliments and enriches the current efforts for the species recovery in Portugal.

Origins of lead in populations of raptors

AbstractAlthough poisoning from anthropogenically derived lead threatens wildlife of many species, routes of lead exposure are unclear and rarely empirically tested. We used blood lead concentration and isotope ratio (207Pb/206Pb) data from populations of four species of raptors from across North America to test hypotheses associated with lead exposure via inhalation versus ingestion. Mean variation in blood lead concentration among cohort siblings was non‐zero at nests of ferruginous hawks Buteo regalis and osprey Pandion haliaetus (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001), indicating exposure via episodic ingestion. However, within‐nest variation in blood lead concentration was not significantly different from zero among cohort siblings at nests of bald eagles Haliaeetus leucocephalus and golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos (P = 0.014 and P = 0.023), consistent with exposure via continuous inhalation. Isotope ratio data corroborated the lead concentration data and within‐nest average and variance of blood lead concentrations were positively correlated (r = 0.70 to 0.94), indicating episodic ingestion. This study provides some of the first empirical population‐level data to evaluate mechanisms of lead exposure and demonstrates the importance of lead ingestion to avian predators and scavengers.

Factors affecting the spatial distribution and breeding habitat of an insular cliff-nesting raptor community.

The specific spatial distribution and habitat association—strongly influenced by environmental factors or competitive interactions—are major issues in ecology and conservation. We located and georeferenced nesting sites of five cliff-nesting raptors (Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus [a locally extinct species], common buzzard Buteo buteo, osprey Pandion haliaetus, common kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Barbary falcon Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides), and common raven Corvus corax on one of the most biodiverse hotspot within the Canary Islands (Teno, Tenerife). We used generalized linear models to evaluate the factors affecting abundance, richness, and intra- and interspecific interactions. Raptor abundance increased with slope, shrub-covered area, and habitat diversity, and decreased with altitude, and forested and grassed areas. Richness increased with slope and decreased with altitude. Threatened species (osprey, Barbary falcon, and raven) occupied cliffs farther away from houses and roads, and more rugged areas than the non-threatened species. The models suggested that the probability of cliff occupation by buzzards, falcons, and ravens depended only on inter-specific interactions. Buzzard occupation increased with the distance to the nearest raven and kestrel nests, whereas falcons and ravens seek proximity to each other. Teno holds between 75% and 100% of the insular breeding populations of the most endangered species (osprey and raven), indicating the high conservation value of this area. Our study suggests that the preservation of rugged terrains and areas of low human pressure are key factors for raptor conservation and provide basic knowledge on the community structure and habitat associations to develop appropriated management actions for these fragile island populations.

Habitat preferences of juvenile Scottish Ospreys Pandion haliaetus at stopover and wintering sites

ABSTRACTIn this study, we use satellite-tracking data from five juvenile Scottish Ospreys Pandion haliaetus to explore habitat preferences at stopover and wintering sites. Daily activity patterns were analysed using a binomial generalised linear model. Kernel density estimation was used to identify core areas at stopover sites and seasonal ranges at the wintering site. A ‘use versus available habitat’ study design was implemented to test whether Ospreys showed preference for a variety of landscape and land-cover variables and for protected areas. Autumn migration strategies varied between individuals, with some Ospreys using stopover sites in France, Spain and Morocco. Ospreys wintered at sites in West Africa. Activity levels varied through the day, with localised peaks at 11:00 and 15:00 h. Ospreys preferred to be near to water features (rivers, lakes, ocean) while avoiding urban areas. Individual differences were observed when considering preference for forest and open-area land-cover classes. Overall, Ospreys did not preferentially use protected areas. Our research confirms already well-established preferences for aquatic habitats, but preference for or avoidance of other habitats, including protected areas, varied between individuals. We highlight the potential of combining satellite-tracking data with environmental data sources to explore the spatial ecology of migratory birds at stopover and wintering sites abroad.

Mercury Concentrations in Feathers of Adult and Nestling Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) from Coastal and Freshwater Environments of Florida.

We determined mercury (Hg) concentrations in feathers of osprey (Pandion haliaetus), both nestlings (n=95) and adults (n=110), across peninsular Florida and the Florida Keys during February-August 2014. Feathers plucked from nestlings, aged 3-7weeks, contained Hg concentrations that ranged from 0.338 to 45.79mg/kg and averaged 6.92±7.58mg/kg (mean±1SD). Feathers shed from adults contained significantly higher concentrations ranging from 0.375 to 93.65mg/kg, with an average of 17.8±16.1mg/kg. These levels were in the upper range of previously reported feather Hg concentrations of osprey and clearly show that Florida continues to have Hg hotspots that are elevated compared with many other regions. While these concentrations did not exceed levels previously reported in osprey from heavily Hg contaminated areas that showed no evidence of reproductive impairments, we cannot rule out potential individual-level effects to highly exposed nestlings after fledging. Mercury concentrations in nestlings were highest in coastal habitats of Collier and Monroe counties, where ongoing declines in osprey populations also have been documented.

Rare species of birds nesting in the area of the Rogów Forest District in the years 1949–2015

Abstract The aim of the study was to combine and summarize data on rare species of breeding forest birds found in the area of the Experimental Forest District near the Rogów village (Łódź Province). Our study area comprised 230 km2 of field and forest mosaic, where forests accounted for almost 17% of the area (13 forest complexes of 35-1000 ha). The results are based on the authors’ own field observations from the years 2000- 2015 as well as historical data since 1949 including original research papers, diploma theses, unpublished manuscripts, oral information and analyses of museum collections. The following criteria were used to categorise bird species as rare: (1) species that ceased breeding in the area, (2) taxa that were under strict protection and their abundance was no higher than 6 breeding pairs. In overall, 10 species were classified as rare, of which three do not breed in the area any more: grey heron Ardea cinerea, osprey Pandion haliaetus, European roller Coracias garrulus. However, non-breeding individuals of grey heron and osprey are still recorded in the area (the last cases of breeding pairs were recorded in the 1970s and 1961, respectively), while the European roller went extinct. In recent years, the abundance of another three species was probably stable: European honey buzzard Pernis apivorus, Eurasian hobby Falco subbuteo and nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus. Four species started breeding in the last 30 years: black stork Ciconia nigra, white-tailed eagle Haliaaetus albicilla, common crane Grus grus, stock dove Columba oenas. The trends in the abundance of the investigated species are similar to those observed in the country in overall.

Migration patterns of the Osprey Pandion haliaetus on the Eastern European–East African flyway

We analysed migration strategies of the Osprey Pandion haliaetus on the poorly studied Eastern European–East African flyway. Four adult birds were equipped with GPS-based satellite-transmitters or data-loggers in their breeding sites in Estonia (north-eastern Europe) and tracked to their wintering grounds in Africa and back, during up to six migration cycles. Departure times, migration routes, as well as wintering and stopover sites varied remarkably between individuals but not much between years. Stopovers (2–30 days) were made mostly in Europe and less in the Middle East (Turkey) and north-eastern Africa (Egypt). The Ospreys did not avoid flying long distances over the sea, and the sea was crossed four times during the night. The current study adds to current knowledge on Osprey migration and should help to concentrate actions on protecting important flyways and stopover locations.

Spring migration of waterbirds and raptors at Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia)/ Spomladanska selitev vodnih ptic in ujed na zadrževalniku Medvedce (Dravsko polje, SV Slovenija)

Abstract Spring migration of birds, particularly waterbirds and raptors, was monitored from dawn till dusk from an observation point located on the levee on the northern side of the Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia) in three separate years (1-17 Mar 2009; 25 Mar-10 Apr 2011; 28 Feb-12 Apr 2012). In all three years, 42,045 individuals of 89 species (66 waterbirds, 23 raptors) migrated over the site. 38,238 of these were waterbirds. The most numerous species was Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (11,813 individuals), followed by Blackheaded Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (10,515 individuals). In total, 3807 migratory storks, raptors and Cranes Grus grus were counted. Harriers (2303 individuals) were by far the most numerous group. The prevailing direction of migration was SW-NE. Half of all migrating birds were observed in the altitudinal belt between 10 and 100 m above ground level. Harriers were mostly observed up to 100 m above ground level, whereas storks, other raptors and Cranes were observed most often in the altitudinal belt between 100 and 500 m above ground level. The highest numbers of waterbirds were observed between 10 and 100 m above ground level. In the first five hours after sunrise, 61.3% of all waterbirds, 44.0% of all storks and raptors and only 20.5% of Cranes were observed. Although other parts of Dravsko polje have never been studied in such detail, it is possible that a significant portion of migrating birds from a larger area gathers at this site. This study confirms the importance of the area for migrating and staging birds, especially for Great Egret Ardea alba, Marsh Circus aeruginosus and Hen Harriers C. cyaneus, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, Crane, Ruff Calidris pugnax and Black-headed Gull that all reached at least 0.1% of their respective biogeographic populations. Internationally significant are particularly the numbers of migrating Marsh (1079 individuals in 2012) and Hen Harriers (408 individuals in 2012), as there are only few sites where these species migrate in such high numbers in spring.

Behavioral Observations of Ospreys Breeding at Fort Wainwright, Alaska

This study documents observations of breeding behavior at two Osprey Pandion haliaetus carolinensis nest sites discovered at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. We developed Osprey location criteria and behavior and activity classifications from observations in 2006 and 2007, and subsequently measured those behaviors and activities at those locations in 2008–10. Eleven separate observers documented breeding behavior in and around each nest site from 2008 to 2010 for a total of 858 hours. Ground-based behavioral observations by researchers from an enclosed vehicle minimized anthropogenic disturbance. This study provides quantitative and qualitative assessments of breeding behavior that includes incubation, brooding, nest defense, and interloper occurrences from 2008 to 2010 and describes breeding timelines, mean brood size, and productivity from 2006 to 2011. Female Ospreys incubated and brooded significantly more than male Ospreys. Behavioral data suggest that breeding adult females and male Ospreys have differing nest and nest area defensive priorities. Breeding timelines and behaviors documented in this study are similar to those described in the literature. This study provides the first account of breeding phenology and behavior for Ospreys in Interior Alaska.

Magnitude and Timing of Autumn Osprey Migration in Southeastern Cuba

Abstract From 2005–2008 we used counts of visible migrants at an inland watchsite (La Gran Piedra) 9 km from the coast and a coastal watchsite (Siboney) to describe the magnitude and timing of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) autumn migration through southeastern Cuba from 1 August through 30 November. Counts of Ospreys at Siboney averaged 5283 (2006–2008) annually or roughly twice those tallied at other North American watchsites known for the concentration of this species during autumn migration. Nevertheless, simultaneous counts at both watchsites better represent the magnitude of its migration through southeastern Cuba, averaging more than 7000 Ospreys (3 yr). The mean seasonal passage window (95% of the flight) ranged from 78 to 83 d at La Gran Piedra and Siboney. The average peak at both sites occurred in early October, with more than 20 Ospreys/hr. The daily passage window (95% of the daily passage) was more protracted at Siboney, where birds migrated both early in the morning and late in the afternoon, t...

Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in the 21stCentury: Populations, Migration, Management, and Research Priorities

Ospreys (<i>Pandion haliaetus</i>) in the 21^stCentury: Populations, Migration, Management, and Research Priorities