Interesting information from Carole about the Ohio ospreys. Thus far I
have received news of osprey nests in wild situations now or quite
recently, i.e. trees, in eight Ohio counties, such as those Russ just
reported. I have also learned that two pairs jumped the gun and nested
along the Ohio River in the state just before the DOW's re-introduction
plan started. One interesting thing brought up by a correspondent is
that the artificial pole sites, especially those erected in water, might
provide additional protection from nest predators. No doubt wild ospreys
will accept powerline poles, especially those standing in water such as
along causeways, etc. Another factor might be something I mentioned
earlier, a seemingly inborn human trait to cut down dead trees, even
though they provide nest and foraging sites for many bird species. I
recall reading, for example, about the many drowned trees that for some
years stood following the flooding of Grand Lake St Marys in the
mid-nineteenth century, which attracted large numbers of cormorants, and
perhaps some ospreys. But there are few really good records of ospreys
nests from the old days.
Bill Whan
Columbus

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