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Osprey of the West Kootenay: Balfour to
Trail
The purpose of this project was to study and survey the population of
Osprey between Balfour and Trail from the east end of the West Arm of Kootenay
Lake, down the Kootenay River to it’s confluence with the Columbia River
in Castlegar and down the Columbia River to Trail and the USA
border.
Our objectives were to:
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Map
the active Osprey nests |
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Describe the type of structure the Osprey nest on (natural
or human-made) |
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Observe the breeding
success |
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Record the number of Osprey
fledglings |
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Comment on Canada Goose usage of Osprey
nests and the possible impact on Osprey breeding
success |
The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) survive almost entirely on fish, which
they capture by spectacular dives from the air. The birds mate for life and
return yearly to the same nests located high on tall trees or human-made
structures.
Osprey are of local interest and of ecological importance to the
residents of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers. The Osprey is high on the
aquatic food chain which makes them an indicator species of the health of their
and our environment. The
submission of our data to the BC Nest Record Scheme is important for the
long-term monitoring of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers’ Osprey
population.
Prepared by
Nelson
Naturalists:
Emilee
Fanjoy
Elaine Moore
Rita Wege
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