Peewee Ores ON. Bevel La TetrN 29 
Audubon Council's Survey of Osprey Nesting 
Indicates ‘Dangerously Low' Incidence of Reproduction 
A recently-completed survey by the North Central Audubon Council has 
concluded that “while there are wide gaps in information on Osprey nest- 
ing success, one fact cannot be seriously disputed: Osprey reproduction is 
dangerously low, and it appears the Osprey will be practically extinct 
in this area in a few years.” 
The NCAC survey covered the states of Michigan, Minnesota, and 
Wisconsin where 237 nests were located. Of these, 180 nests were active 
in early summer, and nesting success was determined in 148 of the 180. 
A total of 55 young Ospreys were raised in 35 of the 148 nests — an 
average of .37 young per active nest. 
Normally, an Osprey will hatch two or three young ones. Under good 
conditions, accordingly, the 148 nests which were observed should have 
produced between 300 and 400 youngsters — this from Sergei Postupalsky, 
U.S. forester, who made specific checks in the midwest in 1965 and 1966. 
The Audubon Council report noted a probable combination of reasons 
for the decline: (1) Disturbance and pressure of civilization; (2) lack of 
suitable nesting sites, i.e, dead trees on the flowages; (3) egg and nest 
destruction by animals and man; (4) indiscriminate shooting on both 
summer and winter ranges; (5) pesticides; (6) lack of fish in nesting areas, 
and (7) losses on the winter range and potential absorption of poisons 
while on this range. 
Future study- is needed to confirm the nesting-success information 
of this report. More important however is the need for determining the 
reason for the decline of the Osprey. Following such a determination, steps 
possibly could be developed to save the Osprey from extinction. 
It is anticipated that some of the factors affecting the decline of the 
Osprey population are also affecting the decline of the populations of other 
important birds of prey. Hopefully, ways and means can be found to place 
cne or two men in the field during May, June, and July, 1967, to verify 
information in this report as well as determine the reason for the decline 
in nesting success. Terrance Ingram, Platteville, Wis., contributed several 
weeks of time on the Osprey field survey. Many other individuals and 
organizations contributed. Copies of the report are available from the 
project secretary, Mrs. Paul Romig, 201 W. Whitney Road, Green Bay, 
Wis. 54301. 
A Fine New Gutde to Field Identification 
‘BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA’ 
by Robbins, Bruun and Zim 
340 pages Hard Cover $4.95 Soft Cover $2.95 
Add 25c for postage and handling. Order from: 
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