3 minute read
Ospreys in Cowichan Bay
Georgia, Owner of Cowichan Bay Kayaking has been observing the Osprey in Cowichan Bay.
In the early summer mornings in Cowichan Bay estuary from around May through to early September the regal Osprey can be seen nesting on the tall log boom poles located in the muddy shallows within the estuary. Some of these stunning bird pairs even build their nests in the industrial estate lights. No doubt enjoying the additional warmth provided as a boost for egg incubation. In the early months, keen birders can observe that it is often a lone osprey without its partner that has returned ahead of its mate to flying busily back and forth carrying large twigs to rebuild their nests. Nests that give these otherwise desolate poles the strange appearance of having ‘a bad hair do’. Look closer using binoculars, a telephoto lens or sharp eyesight and often you will be able to see the white head of an osprey peaking up or even sitting regally within the nest. If you don’t have binoculars or a powerful camera lens, a visit to Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre will be able to give you a glimpse of one of these nests through their spotting scope.
Cowichan Bay provides an ideal habitat for Osprey with the location of the nests over the water provides the osprey some protection for the eggs and young from prey, such as raccoons. It is not beyond the hunting instincts of bald eagles, one of the ospreys only major predators in this area, to carry off a fledgling amidst the panicked shrieks and dive bombing of the distressed osprey parents. Bald eagles have even been known to attack adult osprey, often over a prize salmon. However, it is more common for Bald Eagles, which are the larger of the two raptors to engage in predation, by stealing the ospreys catch mid flight.
The Ospreys nesting over the estuary and close to fresh water provides them with easy access to their staple diet of fish augmented with rabbit and mice from the nearby corn fields. In the evenings, osprey can be seen cruising over the estuary, utilizing their excellent eyesight to spot a fish beneath the water. A swift descent and a feet first plunge into the water catches the fish which is then flown to a safe eating location or its nest and mate. As it flies with meal in talons it must be on the look out for bald eagles, who will happily steal the fish from the osprey mid flight. For the bald eagle stealing a salmon can be a safer option than drowning while trying to lift and overweight salmon. The osprey talons have a reversible toe making them adept at catching fish but also able to drop or loose their catch. The bald eagle in contract have talons that grasp and lock on to their prey unable to release their catch without resting it on something, hence the risk of drowning while trying to swim to shore. Join Cowichan Bay Kayaking on an early morning or evening birder tour, by kayak, canoe or SUP board, where your guide will take time to point out these majestic birds along with others of the many bird species that make Cowichan Estuary an ideal birding location. as you journey through the Estuary.
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