V-B-47 



Henny, C.J., M.M. Smith, and V.D. Stotts. 1974. The 1973 distribution and 



abundance of breeding ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Science 



15:125-133. 



An aerial survey in association with several intensive ground surveys 

 yielded the first estimate of the size of the osprey ( Pandion haliaetus 

 carol inensis ) nesting population in Chesapeake Bay. The 1973 population 

 was estimated at 1,450 + 30 pairs, of which 713 were on the western 

 shore and 737 on the eastern shore. A small percentage of nonbreeders 

 (possibly 2 to 5 percent) may be included in this estimate. Only 

 31.7 percent of the population was nesting in trees; the remaining 

 birds utilized duck blinds (28.7 percent), channel markers (21.8 per- 

 cent), and miscellaneous man-made structures (17.8 percent). The 

 geographical distribution of nesting ospreys has quite likely changed 

 during the last several decades as suitable artificial nesting 

 sites have become more available. Furthermore, limited evidence 

 suggests that birds nesting on the man-made sites were more successful 

 than those nesting in trees. This study provides a basis for monitoring 

 future changes in numbers and distribution. (A. A.) 



Keywords: ospreys, nesting ecology, Chesapeake Bay 



V-B-48 



Jemison, E.S., and R.H. Chabreck. 1962. Winter barn owl foods in a 

 Louisiana coastal marsh. Wilson Bulletin 74:95-96. 



The barn owl ( Tyto alba ) is usually associated with agricultural 

 or wooded areas, but has been encountered frequently in the coastal 

 marshes of Louisiana. A study was conducted in 1961 in the Marsh 

 Island Wildlife Refuge, 85,000 acres of sub-delta marsh that lie in 

 the Gulf of Mexico just offshore of south central Louisiana. The 

 dominant vegetation is Spartina patens , Scirpus oineyi , and Juncus 

 roemerianus . 



Analysis of pellets revealed remnants of vertebrate animal s--97. 5 

 percent rice rats ( Oryzomys palustris ) and 2.5 percent small passerine 

 birds. Since the rice rat was the only small mammal found in the 

 pellets and during the trapping operation, it is probable that it 

 was the only small mammal present on the island in significant numbers. 

 CB.W.l 



Keywords: barn owl, winter foods, coastal marshes, Louisiana 



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