Ospreys are large predatory birds found in coastal regions such as Rhode Island. They are brown with white heads and underbellies, which can sometimes get them mistaken for a bald eagle. They build nests out of sticks on top of poles, platforms, cell towers, and trees.
Between 1950 and 1970, the pesticide DDT was heavily used on RI wetlands to kill mosquito larvae. The DDT was consumed by fish that ate the mosquitos, which in turn affected the ospreys that fed on the contaminated fish. The pesticides not only poisoned the birds, but also led to osprey eggs having weaker shells that broke during the incubation process.
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DDT was banned in 1972, and the RI DEM created the osprey program to monitor the population recovery. In 2010 the Audubon Society took over management of the program. In 2005, over 55 active nesting sites were confirmed throughout Rhode Island and since then the number has only been increasing.
My Project, Step by Step
The first step in the process was to fill out the monitoring form with the site name. During the visits to the site, documenting the exact directions to the nest site were crucial. Then I had to obtain the precise GPS location from where I viewed the nest. At that point, I was to photograph the surrounding landscape, as well as the nest/empty platform itself. Click on the gallery to see the various sites I visited
About My Project
During the last semester of the Environmental Studies bachelors program at RIC, we were asked to complete an internship through an organization of our choosing. I chose to participate in the Osprey Monitoring Program through the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. From November through March I made my way through Rhode Island documenting the various nesting sites I encountered. This website will detail the monitoring process, showcase examples of what sites look like, as well as give a general background of osprey and why they are important to protect.
Welcome To My Internship
Learn More
This map shows every known osprey nest site in the state of Rhode Island. There are over 100 active nest sites in the state, with the numbers continually growing. Each point on the map details directions to the nest and which type of structure the nest is located on.
The population is advised to not ever touch an osprey or disrupt their nest, due to the possibility that they may not return to the nest, resulting in further loss of population.