ospreys of Jordan Lake

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By Osprey Rescue at Jordan Lake Dam 07/27/2019
A female osprey and a number of fishermen were all fishing the riprap. Normally the ospreys see the active fishing lines and avoid them. This morning, perhaps because of the glinting sunshine, the osprey flew into a line. Immediately two of the fishermen rushed to her rescue. Quickly the Army Corps ranger arrived and joined in. It took just under 10 minutes for the 3 kind souls to free the osprey of all the line and release her, unhurt. Thanks to the fishermen and the ranger the osprey flew safely back to her nest and family.

 

 

By Jordan Lake: Osprey Fledgling field id markings, 2 photos

Jordan Lake: The field identification marks on a fledgling Osprey are beautiful and unmistakable. The bright almost red-orange eye is very intense. As an adult the eye would be a clear golden yellow. At the end of each flight and back feather there is a white marking that looks like the head of a “rivet” to me. As the osprey ages these white markings will wear off and be un-noticeable in a 1.5 year-old-osprey.

 

By Jordan Lake Dam: Another Big Bass Capture!
From one end of Jordan Lake to the other, the ospreys are hauling in big bass.
Dad osprey was fishing in the Haw River, inside the riprap at the dam.
Into the flight path of the osprey a great blue heron appeared.
The osprey ignored the squawking heron and concentrated on the bass.
You can see that the raptor was struggling to get the whole fish above the water.
Dad osprey managed the lift and was up and away towards his nest. Whew!

By Jordan Lake Neighborhood 5 photos 07-18-2019
Jordan Lake Neighborhood Raptors
The morning started off with the moon setting in a beautiful Carolina blue sky.
Then the eagles came by and then the ospreys.
First was Lady Lake, panting hard in the heat and humidity.
Then a bright-eyed 2-year-old harassed the osprey nest and arrogantly floated past me.
Dad osprey was showing his fledglings how to fish.
 I wonder what the fledglings thought of the tiny fish dad captured!

By Doc is Angry and Heart-Sick
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE FISHING LINE BEHIND, PLEASE.

     Doc is Heart-Sick and Angry about 3 young birds at Jordan Lake. All 3 are in trouble because someone couldn’t take the time to put broken line in the trash. A few steps to save a bird is all I am asking. Please remove trash of all kinds and help the birds and fish and people have a clean environment.

     Today we found 3 different birds in trouble at Jordan Lake – ALL three due to carelessly left behind fishing line.
     1) This young cormorant has line wrapped through it’s bill and then wrapped around its neck. You can see the swelling behind the line on the throat. This bird probably won’t make it because the line will restrict his ability to swallow a fish.
     2-4) This is an immature great blue heron – one of this year’s babies. There is a cluster of fishing hooks snagged in its neck. There is fishing line trailing from the hooks, down around its body and trailing behind it. This bird might make it if the wound in the neck doesn’t get infected.
     5) I don’t have a photo yet of the 3rd bird – it is one of this year’s fledgling ospreys. It has fishing line wrapped all around one foot and the foot is swollen. The osprey can still fly so we have no way to catch it. The Rangers are closely watching the youngster. If it becomes immobilized they will do their best to get to it to help.