Since our last communication several weeks ago, refuge staff members have completed a careful review of several wildlife state department guidelines and sources of information regarding the types of disturbance tolerated by nesting osprey. Although the various sources differed in their recommended “no disturbance” radius from the nest (generally 500 to 700 feet), there was consensus in the type of disturbances that are tolerated versus those that may disrupt nesting. Osprey pairs vary widely in their tolerance to disturbance. Regular, low level disturbance such as boat traffic past a nest on a navigation structure or pedestrian traffic past a nest is generally tolerated. This is especially true if the disturbance was present during nest initiation and incubation.

Irregular disturbance, which is the category in which the camera replacement would fall, and new disturbances that occur after nesting has begun, should be avoided. The risks to the young birds include exposure to excessive heat or to predators such as greater black-backed gull, red-tailed hawk, or crow. With the ospreys hatching the first week of June, the earliest opportunity to access the nesting area will be the middle of August (as fledging usually takes place about 60 days after hatching).

I cannot speak specifically as to next steps/timing regarding the camera operations, as the camera is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers with very unique technical skills! Refuge staff do work very closely with the camera volunteers and will continue to do so to be very supportive of their efforts. In the meantime, refuge staff members will share any “new news” from the osprey nest observed during ongoing bird surveys conducted in marshes adjacent to the nest site.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone at the address below. It is nice to see all the interest and enthusiam about the world of these birds!

Thanks,
Debbie Long
Refuge Manager
Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
360 Smith Road/P.O. Box 21
Shirley, NY 11967-0021
Tele: 631-286-0485
Fax: 631-286-4003
E-mail: deborah_long@fws.gov

At approximately 1:14 PM on Saturday, April 12, a lightning strike near the camera knocked out the video signal from the camera. Attempts to recover the signal failed. After discussion among the people responsible for the camera, the consensus is that we attempt to retrieve and replace the camera. We are very early in the process and do not have an estimate as to how long we will be without video, but the process has started. Updates will be posted.