March is here! Soon the Ospreys will return to central NC. Although Ospreys leave the Triangle each Autumn, they are a year round resident of North Carolina as a small number of them do spend the winter in our coastal counties (as seen in the last several photos in this post). Now that their breeding season will soon be underway, it’s likely that you’ll see these beautiful pale colored raptors flying overhead carrying large sticks to repair their nests which are scattered along the shorelines of lakes and rivers.It’s serious business as Ospreys reuse the same nesting sites year after year and there is much work to be done to re-enforce the nests.Winter storms have taken their toll on these structures so new sticks, branches, and soft grasses must be added to the nest to ensure that the new brood has a safe and secure home in the months to come.
When their not busy making home renovations, Ospreys may be found soaring over any medium to large body’s of fresh or saltwater areas across our state including ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, inlets and of course just offshore over the Atlantic Ocean. They are expert fish slayers and are very entertaining to watch as they hunt for a meal. Once they spot their prey, the Osprey will hover in the air while beating its wings before diving toward the water and plunging in, feet-first, to capture its meal. Back in the air, the bird will rearrange the fish in its feet so the fish is facing forward. This fancy footwork reduces drag, making it easier for the osprey to fly, even when carrying the largest of fish in its talons.
