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		Eating Habits: The osprey subsists almost entirely on live fish and consequently almost always lives near the water, although it doesn't appear to be particular in terms of what kinds of fish it prefers. It catches fish by hovering over the water (sometimes at altitudes as high as 200 feet) and then plunging downwards to seize a fish in its talons. The osprey is one of the best fishers in nature, with an estimated 90% success rate. Migration Habits: The ospreys on the North Fork spend the Fall and Winter months in warmer climates, in Florida, the Caribbean, and as far south as South America. In March and April, they make the long trip back to the North Fork where they choose a mate, a nest, and raise a family.. Mating and Nesting Habits: Ospreys are known to mate for life, with rare exceptions. It is believed that the female chooses the male largely on the suitability of his nest. A mated pair of ospreys will typically return to the same nest year after year, as have the ospreys which come to our nest here. The female will lay 2-4 eggs on the average, and they will hatch within 5-6 weeks. The baby ospreys will be ready to leave the nest within 2 months after hatching. Unfortunately, not all of the baby ospreys tend to make it to adulthood. Competition for food within the nest is fierce and the oldest siblings will muscle the younger ones out of the way for a piece of fish. We've observed that sometimes the parents will head on out for their southward migration and leave their full-grown baby behind to figure things out for his or herself. Typically, the full-grown baby will fly around aimlessly for a few days before finally venturing out on the necessary migration.. Threats to the Osprey: In the 1960's, the osprey population fell dramatically due to the widespread usage of DDT and other pesticides. The northeastern United States in particular saw many of its ospreys die off. Since then, the use of the most harmful pesticides has been reduced dramatically across the United States and the osprey's numbers have rebounded. It's estimated that there are 25,000-30,000 breeding pairs of ospreys in the world today. Man-made nests such as this one have also been helpful in providing the ospreys with a safe place to breed.

Silver Sands Motel & Beach Cottages
PO Box 285 Greenport, NY 11944
tel. (631) 477- 0011 fax. (631) 477-0922