One of the joys of living at Lake Monticello is the abundance of wildlife that can be observed by those who pause and take it in. We love to express our love hate relationship with our deer however bird watchers have a real treat. Lake advocates have observed over 125 different species of birds that can be seen throughout the year. One of my favorites is the majestic Osprey. Though we often report to neighbors about the special sightings of our visiting eagles, taking time to observe our resident Ospreys is a rewarding experience.
Ospreys are common and can be found on every continent in the world with the exception of Antartica. Their resurgence is part of the wonderful success story of eliminating DDT from the environment. DDT which was absorbed in the food chain resulted in softening the eggs of raptors which greatly reduced their populations throughout Virginia. American indigenous people called the Ospreys "Fish Hawks" as they are a bird of prey that feeds primarily on fish.
Ospreys are the single largest raptor (hawks) capable of plunging into water feet first to catch its prey. The Osprey has a greasy oily plumage that allows them to submerge up to one meter in the water when plunging for a fish. Their long legs also improve their success at being an aquatic hunter. Eagles will take a fish from the lake but will make a sweeping motion and try to avoid plunging in the water as they lack the Osprey's waterproofing. Unlike many birds there are no distinctive marks to tell the males from the females. Females will tend however to be a bit larger than males. Our lake Ospreys can be found both at the fishing pond and the main lake. A good spot to sit and watch for an Osprey are the beaches located in the coves. It is easier for the Osprey to take a fish in shallow water rather than the deeper main lake though I have seen this happen. Beach 5 in Van Buren Cove is a good quiet spot for an Osprey to sit high in a perch and wait to pounce on a fish. This majestic bird can be found throughout the lake; look particularly for the dead trees which make for a nice high perch.
Ospreys have a striking white head which at first may make you think, you've caught site of an eagle. Their bodies are brown and black and they have a distinct black/brown eye band which makes them look like they are wearing the mask of a bandit. Their slender bodies are 21-24 inches in height and their wing spread can be up to 6 feet. Ospreys fly with a distinct kink in their wings and can make a distinctive "M" pose as they fly.
If you watch long enough and are very lucky you may see the Osprey flying in a circle over the lake as he hunts for a fish. They will hover briefly before diving feet first into the water. The picture above was a very exciting capture for me as I've been trying get this shot for many years. More than often you will hear a splash in the water and by the time you turn your head you only see him flying off with a fish...after the plunge.
Our Lake Ospreys appear each Spring around mid-April and stay with us through the Fall. North Carolina seems to be the Northern extent of their winter range but they can fly south as far as South America. Their presence speaks to our abundance of fish and high water quality. We hope our fishermen and the lake preservation committee do not object to a few fish being taken by these delightful residents. Let's just think of them as honorary members of the Lake Monticello Fishing Club. As an Osprey fly's off with their fish take a look at the position of their legs. They are the only raptor that has the ability to position their feet one in front of the other, pointing the fishes nose facing forward. This reduced air resistence as they fly back to their perch.
The daily presence of our Ospreys suggests to me that we must have nests high in the trees here at the lake. I have not seen a nest here however they are hidden for good reason. Other hawks and our eagle feed on young nestlings. A fascinating behavior that I had the opportunity to witness here at the lake is the Bald Eagle stealing a fish from the Osprey. Eagles will follow an Osprey and "Body Slam" them mid-air to get them to release their fish. I've read that this is a common behavior. Our noble Eagle is a pirate and a thief. Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin disagreed with choosing the Eagle as our National symbol because of this behavior. He much preferred the wild Turkey who proudly stood his ground and charged intruders. Our loss was Virginia Tech's gain. I digress...note the Osprey holding the fishes nose forward.
One of the ways you can know when a hawk or the eagle is in the area is that you will hear the loud caws of the crows and the cries of the blue jays. These alert calls warn all the other birds to seek shelter in the brush because a predator is in the area. I call them "the crow police". They will actually form a group and "escort" a coopers hawk or the eagle out of the area. Not so for the Osprey. The birds do not see the Osprey as a threat because they know his diet is only fish. The only way you will know he is in the area is by hearing the Ospreys shrilled schreek or whistle as he sits on his perch in a tall tree.
The pictures posted here have been captured as recently as the first week of September and over the past several years. Ospreys can be observed every day at the lake...getting a picture by having a camera at hand at the right time is a different thing. Photographing these birds requires a long telephoto lens with the range of 400 to 600mm and lots of patience. Enjoying them however does not require a camera.
Sitting by the waters edge, or paddling your kayak or canoe on a peaceful morning is one of the great pleasures of living here at Lake Monticello. Nurturing your sense of wonder and appreciating God's creation centers us and refuels our engines to take on the tasks of the day. Next time you are out make sure to look for our Lake Osprey.
