Osprey Deaths on gulf coast

[Rosyfinch]

Since ospreys share the top level of fish-eating predators with the Bald Eagle, I find this issue, so well described by Barb Walker, of major concern. Perhaps there are particular risks along a small strip of the Pinellas County coastline. We hope the cause of the deaths is determined. Here is her e-mail with supporting reports and a map showing the locations of the deaths:
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Hello,

I am copying this to the Bald Eagle group because one of the reports came from one of our Bald Eagle Watchers. Some of you may still be out there watching the raptors, like Osprey or other birds.  Please let me know if you have noticed anything.

Over the last couple of weeks at least 8 Osprey have perished along the Pinellas Coast.  As far as we know they were all severely emaciated.  Some of the locations include Pasadena, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs.  In one instance, on the same property, two Osprey and 1 yard cat perished. The Fish and Wildlife Commission has been contacted in hopes that they will investigate.  If anyone can share recent Osprey observations or photographs or has first hand information about a sick or dead Osprey please contact me off -list at [e-mail] or 727-431-2856.
 
This year Osprey watchers counted  and listed locations of over 140 Osprey nests in North Pinellas.  An estimated 90% of the population nests on artificial structures.  A general observation for this year was that a greater number of nests had only one young.  Two nests were noted as having 3 however.  8 young perished in the severe storm on April 14th.  At least 1 adult was hit by a car and killed in the Oldsmar area.  A fairly small percentage of nests were completely unproductive.  If I had to ball park it I would say 3 out of 30 are unproductive in heavily populated areas, but that is just an estimate.   Better data will be collected throughout the coming years.  At this point the focus is on locating and counting and dealing with any issues that come up.
 
Thank you,

Barb Walker
Palm Harbor, FL
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From: barb walker [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Monday, July 06, 2009 4:43 PM

Subject: Another Dead Osprey has been reported - PASADENA

One of our EagleWatchers and SSS Volunteers, Beth Shepard, has told me the following, ' I saw one over 2 weeks ago in the late afternoon. It was laying on the shoreline of Pasadena Lake; 65th street and 3-4th avenue North, St. Petersburg.  I couldn't see any indication of wounds; it had been dead a short time."  She also mentioned that bugs were crawling in the stomach cavity.  This one was described as an adult.
 
Barb
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From: barb walker [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 7:24 PM

Subject: Two more Osprey perished Tarpon Springs Municipal Golf Course

Betty Mayo who is a ranger at the course saw 1 dead Osprey today and saw one approximately one week ago.  She will be forwarding photographs to me.  The remains are not available.  This week she observed an Osprey on the ground.  It did change locations but relocated on the ground.

Thanks,

Barb Walker
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From: barb walker [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 11:45 AM

Subject: Another Osprey found dead today 7/5
Importance: High

Another Osprey has been reported dead at Alternate 19 and Florida Avenue in Dunedin.  The Osprey was emaciated.  By the time the rescuer got there the Osprey which had been sitting on a piling was floating in the water.  I think there is something wrong ecologically or environmentally here.  One theory was that the water temperature could be too hot and the fish are too deep.  Climate change? However I would think the recent rains would have cooled the water somewhat.  Anyway, we can't help but wonder why so many deaths in such a short period of time and I am raising a red flag in this area. The Alt 19 and Florida Avenue location is in the same area as the other deaths.  I've added it to my previous map. Thanks for any attention you can give this issue.  Remains are available for 3 of these birds. Thanks - Barb Walker

Barb Walker
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From: barb walker [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Saturday, July 04, 2009 10:18 PM
To: 'Strepina, Breanne'; '[e-mail]'
 
Subject: Osprey Mortalities Pinellas County/Cat Perished Same site/Remains
Importance: High

Dear Ms. Strepina and Mr. Sage,

We have had 4 young osprey perish recently.  These were all juveniles which had fledged.  #3 is particularly concerning and the citizen has saved the remains and hopes for an FWC investigation as the pair has been prolific over the past 10 years.  The Osprey appeared to be catching reasonably sized fish and visiting the nest on a fairly regular basis.  Ms. Collins also discovered her outdoor cat dead.  On the map I have included one Osprey death from last October, also an emaciated juvenile. ( I have not included the 8 young which perished in nests that blew down this year on 4/14, nor the 1 adult hit by a car in Oldsmar.)  A general observation about the Osprey of Pinellas County this year are that many previously prolific and successful nests had only one young.   Osprey Watch pinpointed 2 nests with 3 young but one of those nests the watcher has expressed some concerns over the health of the Osprey surviving at that site which is also in Dunedin near the San Mateo rescue of last fall which is not listed but noted on the map. I was present at that rescue and at that time the rescuer shared a concern with me about increases in these incidents. One of the theories on the Osprey that died this week is that as juveniles they were not highly skilled and were unable to catch any fish in the heavy rains however the timing does not coincide with the other recoveries.   All of these Osprey are along a specific area of the coast.  We have not yet had any reports of Osprey down among other more inland groups such as the Lake Tarpon group or the North Tampa Bay Derby Lanes group to my knowledge although I am sure that more juveniles were treated at Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary that may have come from those areas or areas to the south.  I will be posting an alert to the Osprey Watch group for up to date observations and ground checks in case this has occurred in other areas and not reported at this time.  The estimated number of nests for North Pinellas for 2008/2009 is 140.  We continue to count and add to a spreadsheet with the locations of those nests as well as the substrate.  One last final note about productivity for 2008/2009 - several nests were reported to me as knocked down by Progress Energy with no replacement platform installed.  At least 2 nests remain on sensitive power lines one being the nest at Tarpon Springs Yacht Club #2.  One nest was knocked down twice and caught on fire before a platform was finally erected.  We lost at least 2 nesting trees.  The Dunedin population is very fragile with many nests in weakened dead pines.  Also very fragile are the nests on Tarpon Woods Municipal Golf Course.

1) Juvenile rescued at Dunedin County Club, emaciated, rescued by SSS but did not survive. (Last Monday 6/29) For additional Osprey rescues and transfers contact Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary.  Michelle Simoneau 727-460-5525.  Not sure which nest this Osprey came from but likely a dead or live pine on that course in that area.

2) Juvenile rescued at Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, emaciated, rescued by citizens late in the day on 7/3.  It did not survive. The nest is in a dead pine. Remains available.  

3) Two juveniles perished.  The nest is in the backyard of a citizen in Clearwater, Ms. Laura Collins.  Reported 7/4.  An outdoor cat owned by the citizen also perished. For further information please contact Laura Collins.    The nest is in a dead pine. Remains available.

Thank you,
Barb Walker

Palm Harbor, FL