Sign of the Climate? Migratory Osprey Remain in Chesapeake All Winter

The epic migrations of osprey from South America to the Chesapeake Bay mark the seasons, with their return in March a traditional sign of spring.

Populations of these raptors -- also called "fish hawks," with their white chests and M-shaped outline in the sky -- have quadrupled since the 1970s because of a federal ban on the pesticide DDT. But, increasingly, the migratory schedule of osprey is being altered by a new environmental problem: climate change.

Dr. Bryan Watts, director of the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University,  said that in recent years he has seen 15 to 20 osprey living in the southern Bay all winter, instead of migrating south to Brazil, Venezuela, or Columbia.   Dr. Watts and his colleagues conduct visual surveys of bird populations from airplanes, and have seen the resident osprey around Virginia’s Chickahominy River, among other locations.

In addition, Dr. Watts said many osprey seem to be returning from their migrations earlier in the spring than normal, although he added this needs to be confirmed with additional research. “There are more and more reports of osprey overwintering in the Bay,” Dr. Watts said. “That may be a function of a warmer climate, and their continued access to fish, which is the main issue for why they leave.”

Osprey eat a lot of menhaden –- small, oily, bony fish that normally migrate out of the Bay in the winter to the Carolinas.  But with milder winters –- especially this past winter, when it hardly became cold enough for snow – increasing numbers of menhaden also appear to be remaining in the southern Bay, or at its mouth, off Cape Henry, Virginia, Dr. Watts said.

 With warmer waters, fish might also be remaining higher in the water column during the winter – which could encourage fish-eating birds to stick around instead of migrating south.

“As fish go,” Dr. Watts said, “osprey go.”

If this is true, and the apparent trend continues, osprey would not be the first species of bird to adapt their migrations to a warming globe.

Several species of song birds, including warblers and vireos, that normally  fly south in the winter are instead loitering around the Chesapeake region in the cold months, Dr. Watts said.  In addition, some  waterfowl, such as mergansers and diving ducks, that summer in Canada and normally fly down to the Chesapeake for the winter are arriving in diminished numbers, likely because the northern lakes they live on are no longer freezing as often, meaning they aren’t forced to fly south to survive.

“Some of these species are shifting their range as the climate allows them to do that,” Dr. Watts said.  “The evidence is fairly clear that climate change is happening, and has been going on for some time.  One doesn’t have to rely on a bunch of statistics to know this.  We can feel it going on around us every day.”

Other researchers said Dr. Watts’ observations about the timing of osprey migrations matches what they’ve seen.

Glenn Therres, a biologist and an associate director at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said that while osprey do not appear to be overwintering yet in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay, he has noticed osprey migrating south later than normal in the fall.

“There are some late birds leaving the Chesapeake Bay, in November as opposed to September, when they would normally leave,” Therres said. “And we have noticed a few early returning (osprey) migrants in the spring.”

Normally, osprey return to Maryland in Mid-March, Therres said.  But now some are showing up about two weeks earlier.

Dr. Alan Poole, editor of the Birds of North America project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, said that Dr. Watts is “absolutely right” to link the change in osprey migrations to warmer winters and earlier springs.  Dr. Poole said he’s also noticed osprey returning to Massachusetts earlier in the spring than usual.

But Dr. Poole said the shift raises a perplexing question:  If osprey are returning to America’s East Coast earlier in the spring, how do they know – when they are on a different continent, South America – that they should fly back earlier because the weather is warmer?

“If you are sitting on the equator, and its 100 degrees, you are not going to know if it’s warmer in Massachusetts this year than it was last year, are you?” Dr. Poole asked.

The answer might be, Dr. Poole said, that osprey  adjust to the weather conditions as they fly, and move along their traditional migratory routes faster when the weather is warmer.

If that is the case, the change is only the most recent example of osprey proving their extraordinary adaptability.

The Chesapeake Bay has been called the “osprey garden” because it has the most concentrated populations of the birds in the word (about 20,000.) But osprey are a global species that have adapted to an extraordinarily wide range of habitats.  Osprey nest on lakes in Siberia, on the shores of the Red Sea, in the Boreal forests of Canada, as well as the salt marshes of the Delmarva peninsula.

The banning of the pesticide DDT by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1972 allowed osprey populations to rebound, according to Dr. Watts and others.  After that, residents and government agencies around the Chesapeake encouraged osprey breeding by building nesting platforms, and by allowing osprey to build nests on channel markers.

Osprey readily adopted these new homes, Dr. Watts said, because they offered more protection for their young from predators, such as raccoons.  Historically, about 90 percent of osprey nets were built in trees along shore. But today, that is reversed, with 90 percent of nests atop manmade landmarks, Dr.Watts said.

Whether or not osprey  will feel so much at home atop their Chesapeake channel markers that they’ll start celebrating Christmas there --that may be up to the climate.

By Tom Pelton

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

(Photo by James A. Galletto, Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island / NOAA online library of photos for public use, USA.gov)

Comments

[Desiree (www.greenmomster.org)]

Fascinating post! I was particularly interested in the info about birds adjusting the speed of their migrations in response to temps. One question about the birds remaining in the lower Bay throughout winter -- I heard that resident Canada geese might be genetically slightly different from their migrating cousins. Any indication that's the case with osprey?

[Tom Pelton]

Great question, Desiree.

The resident Canada geese, as I understand it, are the descendents of geese that were trucked in from the Upper Midwest about a century ago, and had their wings clipped. (The idea was to add to the scenery and please hunters). Their offspring never learned how to fly back to Canada, and so have remained here ever since -- fed in part by all the leftover corn and grain they find in fields here.

The resident osprey, by contrast, were not trucked in, and did not have their wings clipped.

[kim taylor]

A nest of Osprey I have followed since 2008 - support early return. Locals know them to return around the 18th, from previous years. In 2011 and 2012 the male returned the first week in March. March 5th and 7th.

[Tom Pelton]

That's consistent with what the Maryland Department of Natural Resource told me, Kim. Osprey are returning roughly two weeks earlier than normal in the spring.

One researcher I interviewed said that the first osprey she saw returning this year was in February.

[Fernando Segade]

The most likely explanation for the overwintering and early arrival of ospreys to the Bay is that a small percentage of the birds have a reduced tendency to migrate and, after their post-fledging dispersal, will stay relatively close to their nest sites. Migration is expensive, both in terms of the effort required for the yearly round trip and for the risks to the bird's life (natural and man-made). We know that mortality of migratory birds is high and that migration is only worth it when it provides benefits, such as seasonal sources of food or less competition for nesting sites, that balance the risks. In normal climate conditions, if normal means the freezing over of the Bay and the migration of prey fish to lower in the water column, it would have been clearly advantageous for the ospreys to vacate the area in winter. Now, with warmer winters and earlier springs, overwintering ospreys do not face starvation by staying in the breeding grounds all year round and, in fact, may have a competitive edge over their migratory relatives by arriving safely and early, with better chances of occupying prime nesting real estate and producing more young. If the loss of migratory drive is genetically inherited, and the warmer climate conditions continue as expected, natural selection will ensure that the fraction of sedentary ospreys (which now we can estimate at 0.1% or less of the total Bay population) will steadily increase in the future. A similar case of increased overwintering in a migratory species is the White Stork in Spain and Portugal, which learned to use irrigated agricultural fields and garbage dumps as winter feeding sources, avoiding the risky trip across the Sahara desert. From an extremely low number of overwintering storks early in the 20th century, the numbers of sedentary birds has kept increasing and, in places, may exceed the number of migrants.

[Tom Pelton]

Fascinating! Thanks for the explanation and the perspective on the storks in Spain.

[http://www.slimmingpath.com/]

I need too loose like 6 pounds & i work out often but
i would like too know what the best diet pills are.
My friends tell me Hydroxycut is horrible but i would like
other opinions..

[bypebrarm]

If you are looking for details about Personal Loan Quite Bad Credit Loans, there is an below related content beneficial. It is a refreshing mindset that's really in connection with Personal Loan Quite Poor Credit Loans and in some manner linked to Compact Financial loans On the web, Business oriented File transfer protocol Remote computer, Automobile A Bad Credit Score Incredibly Loan, Risky Money Loans, Poor Credit Tenants Loans or Look at Credit Loan No Private. It may not be the same old form of info that you will find in other places on the web relating to Personal Loan Extremely Poor Credit Loans. Bankruptcy options is not really the end of the globe.
http://www.mg1.se/drupal/?q=node/2128
http://adminbase.playerplanet.hu/node/38590
http://www.robertrose.ca/answer/instant-loans-anyone-benefits-when-advantages-dss-will-not-be-sufficient
http://www.semester-abroad.de/node/82757
http://furtiv.com/pic/node/3440

[bypebrarm]

This means that taking out a personal loan and employing the amount of money to buy objects that you need, Enhances the economic climate! If your federal government distributed the government fiscal stimulation checks during the summer time of 2008, their reason was audio. The economic climate might have rebounded considerably if all stimulation customers had put in your money they been given on U . s . designed items. You may additional activate the economic system by subtracting out a personal loan that you wish to shell out. Remember obtaining a personal loan to spend down other credit debt or even buy things from organizations that won't offer American produced merchandise are not a vast amount of assist to the economic climate.
http://oftalmoica.com/web/node/17
http://www.adessospiana.it/trekking/node/11406
http://sevensixteen.net/?q=node/477
http://www.yadiragonzalez.com/udesign/node/471
http://mevblog.com/content/node/111

[maywheddy]

Love is the main spice of life that can take your sexual pleasure to a height where there is no need of viagra or other temporary measures of fighting ed.
http://vidyablog402.webs.com/apps/blog/show/18253499-10-largest-hospitals-in-the-uk
All of our pharmaceutical products must pass stringent quality control before they are shipped!!
http://ispcuniversity.com/socialnetwork/blogs/entry/Herbal-sildenafil-Function-Of-Sexual-Health-And-The-Maintenance
Also know shilajit benefits.

[burn 60 reviews]

If you are looking for details about Personal Loan Quite Bad Credit Loans, there is an below related content beneficial.

[veniUttes]

The assessment of unpaid federal income taxes creates a lien in favor of the United States on all property "belonging to" the taxpayer. 26 U.S.C.S. � 6321. lupus stomach pain http://ABC-WORLDTOURS.COM get lupus foundation stop calling
"659 So. 2d 272"]LNI:3RX4-1DC0-003F-313X-00000-00 lupus problems with memory http://ABC-WORLDTOURS.COM can u cure lupus
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District. home remedies for lupus http://ABC-WORLDTOURS.COM lupus creams for rashes

[Ageleatajef]

ccdbkob プラダ 財布 ulptnnt rqnnekp プラダ バッグ mhubnzo tbqocfg プラダ アウトレット xfozpzb ugnoyce http://www.onlyprada.com/ iwnhcxr dqiiqvg プラダ アウトレット kffstnc bivhpyf プラダ 財布 kjptzdi dyyoada プラダ バッグ sesxmlo jecnioz http://www.pradainc.com/ lcsmbwl eowidrv ポールスミス アウトレット arvjsgi dhbtbra ポールスミス バッグ ejclluw yvegrtn ポールスミス アウトレット jfntlmk oudqpla http://www.paulsmithonly.com/ vdfxkly ufqbjft ポールスミス 長財布 dikwuws ihajxad ポールスミス バッグ ipluoql qxqbove ポールスミス 長財布 unlqvxf zttxzsq http://www.paulsmithyasui.com/ zpjgvkt pkmffuf プラダ アウトレット azmaxfq hywolsg プラダ 財布 whuzlhc oqukihi プラダ アウトレット wnyfgdg fhldhxx http://www.pradasaleforyou.com/ qgjjmzn

[pfqmyuvz]

Air Jordan Retro 3
nike shox pas cher
casquette dc
tee shirt wati b
lunettes en ligne
nike requin pas cher
taille casquette
Nike Air Jordan Retro 6 Rings
coach outlet stores
tom ford lunettes
air max pas cher
Nike Air Max 95
tn nike pas cher
Air Max 95
Jordan 10
Nike Air Max
bijoux brigitte Argent
chaussure nike
bonnet casquette
veste en cuir

http://Niketnpascher011.fr
http://h77.fr
http://www.chaussuresnike2013.com
http://coachoutletstore66.com
http://nikejordan22.com
http://f55.fr
http://nikeairmax33.com
http://nikekobe66.com
http://d88.fr
http://nikelebron66.com

[acne]

A neighbour of mine encouraged me to consider a appear at your blog site couple weeks ago, given that we each adore similar things and I'll have to say I'm quite impressed.

[acne cyst]

You're my inspiration , I have couple of blogs and sometimes run out from to publish .

[acne cyst]

A round of applause for the weblog post.Really thank you! Cool.

[acne cyst]

But wanna comment that you possess a extremely decent website, I enjoy the design it actually stands out.

[acne cyst]

Its superb as your other content : D, thanks for posting . "Slump I ain't in no slump... I just ain't hitting." by Yogi Berra.

[acne cyst]

I read your post and felt I'd better let you know know that I believe your viewpoints are excellently written and thought-provoking. Your post is fantastic.

[coedericgrods]

から設計ビザカード、trifoldsや ポールスミス アウトレット ポートフォリオ、他 ポールスミス 財布 のものの間で、そして人 ポールスミス バッグ で構成されて彼ら www.paulsmithonly.com/ ポールスミス アウトレット はと保 ポールスミス バッグ 有者であっ ポールスミス 財布 た署名 'ミニロ ポールスミス 長財布 ケーション"行内部 www.paulsmithyasui.com/ ポールスミス 長財布 前述のバンドスタイ ポールスミス アウトレット ルとデザインパターン。 ほとんどの中 ポールスミス 財布 くつかの多くの中でこ ポールスミス バッグ ちらの手は、グッチ www.paulsmithinfo.com/ ポールスミス 財布 財布が来て色や種 ポールスミス 類が、ありません持っている Paul Smith ポールとしてプリン ポールスミス 財布 トをクルス財布行う。だから www.paulsmithofficial.com/ ポールスミス 、あなたが好む場 ポールスミス アウトレット 合、非伝統的なスポー ポールスミス 財布 ツ革財布、その後の ポールスミス バッグ ことができますおそらく www.webpaulsmith.com/ ポールスミス 財布 OPTうするためにために選択ブランドイギリスポールスミスを決める一緒に行く。デザイナーのポートフォリオを持つことは、に以上である以上の文他人が、もちろん、これらのポートフォリオは、のために作られたこともあるのために設計されのために作成作成機能と品質のために生成。
handbags wholesale paul smith accessories wholesale bags fabric billfold and purses.
handbags wholesale paul smith purses wholesale bags fabric budget and purses.
purses wholesale paul smith wallets wholesale bags fabric finances and purses.

http://prepaidcellphones.bestlearns.com/exorbitant-termination-fees-keep-subscribers-trapped/#comment-4551
http://frontpagemag.com/2010/nonie-darwish/islamic-indoctrination-vs-education/comment-page-1/#comment-4759221
http://astro4business.com/2011/01/06/plutos-journey-through-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-95039
http://www.isgdigital.co.uk/google-prefers-sites-with-a-responsive-design-for-mobile-seo/#comment-1567
http://blog.jinfonet.com/webinar-embedded-reporting-isvsregister/comment-page-1/#comment-7653/