Scientists unravel mysteries of osprey migration

[Judi Lynn]

Scientists unravel mysteries of osprey migration

AP



A captive osprey is seen at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire, on Aug. 15. | AP

TILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Scientists have long known ospreys make an epic journey each summer from New England to South America. But the details of their dangerous trip remained a mystery — until now.

Thanks to trackers on the backs of these fish-eating raptors, scientists are filling in the picture. And what they are learning is troubling.

The brown-and-white birds get hit by cars and ships, shot by chicken farmers and blown off course during hurricane season. One even ended up on a ship that took it to Portugal.
By some accounts, up to 80 percent of the young birds making the trip don’t return to New England, compared to 15 percent of adults.

“Some of them make it to South America. A lot of them don’t,” said Iain MacLeod, executive director of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire, who studies ospreys that spend their spring and summers in the state raising their young.

More:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/21/world/science-health-world/scientists-unravel-mysteries-osprey-migration/#.V7lg5uRTErk

[Lunabell]

1. That is really cool

Thanks for sharing.