TV,+North+Harr,+and+Osprey



Osprey

A total of 96 Osprey came over the North Lookout at Hawk Mountain on Friday, October 1. (the day of our field trip) We saw an Osprey over our heads on the hike, but I found it hard to identify. It was hard to see so high in the air while the winds were blowing so strong. The osprey is a big bird and can be easily identified by its large "M" shaped wings in flight. You can also recognize an Osprey by its white belly flying over head. It is also very to spot it, because it as a huge bird even when it is high in the air. It is strange to see an Osprey at Hawk Mountain, since they are usually found by the ocean or water. The primary diet is fish, so this bird was seriously affected by DDT. It's population declined because the pesticide made their eggs brittle and breakable. To protect the osprey a lot of people wanted to save them so they decided to open a reproducing center. It helped the birds a lot and they recovered from the DDT disease. Little things can really help. Now the osprey is one of the most seen birds in Maryland, in my opinion.

I have seen osprey on the coast of Maine, the jersey shore, and the eastern shore of Maryland. Friends of my family have a house on the eastern shore, and have a large osprey nest close to their house. The nest is so large a small child could fit into the nest. They need such a big nest, because they have such a big body. On the top left picture you see there nest. There are only two little ospreys in that nest. That tells me how big the osprey is.

When I was at my grandparents house in Maryland sailing, all you see is seagulls and ospreys. The way their wings spread is crazy! At first you would think it was an eagle, but the white belly of the osprey is the key of telling what it is. It is an amazing feeling when you see that osprey swoop down from the air and catch a fish all in one motion. When my grandfather said, "That bird is a better fisherman then me". We smiled as we saw it come back to its nest and started to feed his young. Osprey Facts



TURKEY VULTURE 

On October first (the day of our field trip) at hawk mountain there were 6 Turkey Vultures. You can recognize them by their long wings and tail, bald red head, and feathers of blackish brown. Turkey vultures like to use thermals (air the pushes birds up in circles) so, if you see a black feathered bird with long wings and tail flying in circles, it could easily be a Turkey Vulture.Turkey Vulture love to glide so they almost never flap. When they're young they have a dark grayish head, they normally travel in kettles, especially when they are young. The bottoms of their wings are black with a silver outline, they have a 6 feet wing span. They have a very keen sense of smell, they use their eyesight and smell combined to hunt down food. Turkey Vultures are very interesting birds to learn about.

media type="youtube" key="cZMX1vxqaqw?fs=1" height="385" width="640" [] Link for both on top. Link for one on bottom.