Flight of the Ospreys: Dr. Rob Bierregaard Unveils Nature's Fish-Loving Aviators

The Backyard Naturalists

In this riveting episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we delve into the awe-inspiring world of ospreys with our esteemed guest, Dr. Rob Bierregaard, a distinguished research associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Dr. Bierregaard's passion for raptors is contagious, and today, we shift our focus from the haunting calls of barred owls to the magnificent ospreys. Discover the remarkable journey of ospreys, once decimated by DDT in New England, now thriving with over 112 pairs nesting on Martha's Vineyard. Dr. Bierregaard, who equipped these birds with radios to trace their migrations, unveils the incredible life story of these fish-loving predators, boasting one of the widest global distributions among all bird species.

From their breeding grounds spanning the globe to astonishing lifespans—like a Scottish female osprey that raised an impressive 50 young—this episode promises a soaring exploration of nature's resilience.

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.

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Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

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While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning.