Once common along all major rivers and large lakes in Missouri, ospreys were extirpated from the State during the widespread use of DDT in the early-mid 20th Century. Once that pesticide was banned, they have made a gradual comeback but remained primarily seasonal migrants until a reintroduction plan began in the mid 1990s; even today, these "fish hawks" are best observed as they migrate through the Mississippi and Missouri River Valleys, on their way to and from breeding grounds to our north.
Nevertheless, on this mild, late-summer morning, my wife and I encountered a lone osprey at Perry Phillips Lake, in south Columbia. Perched on a tall post south of the lake, he/she was easily identified by its large size, white head and distinctive black eye-stripe. Since the reintroduction program has concentrated on large reservoirs across Missouri, I suspect this bird was a product of that effort and is wandering about the region before heading south in October.
Highly adaptable, ospreys inhabit all Continents except Antarctica, favoring coastlines, large rivers and lakes. In North America, the majority breed along both Coasts, in Florida and throughout the Great Lakes region but many nest across Alaska, Canada, the Northern U.S, the Mississippi Valley and the Rocky Mountain corridor. Come autumn, most head for Florida, the Gulf Coast, Southern California, Central America or South America. Hopefully, these majestic raptors will become increasingly common breeding residents here in Missouri.
Nevertheless, on this mild, late-summer morning, my wife and I encountered a lone osprey at Perry Phillips Lake, in south Columbia. Perched on a tall post south of the lake, he/she was easily identified by its large size, white head and distinctive black eye-stripe. Since the reintroduction program has concentrated on large reservoirs across Missouri, I suspect this bird was a product of that effort and is wandering about the region before heading south in October.
Highly adaptable, ospreys inhabit all Continents except Antarctica, favoring coastlines, large rivers and lakes. In North America, the majority breed along both Coasts, in Florida and throughout the Great Lakes region but many nest across Alaska, Canada, the Northern U.S, the Mississippi Valley and the Rocky Mountain corridor. Come autumn, most head for Florida, the Gulf Coast, Southern California, Central America or South America. Hopefully, these majestic raptors will become increasingly common breeding residents here in Missouri.
