Greenbelt is pleased to report it was another banner year for Osprey conservation in our region.
“Observing the Osprey population between East Boston and Salisbury increase to 46 pairs in 2018 was exciting, and a testament to our healthy local ecosystems that Greenbelt is committed to protect,” said David Rimmer, Greenbelt Osprey Program Director.
Greenbelt was successful collecting nesting and productivity data on all known Osprey pairs breeding in northeastern Massachusetts in 2018. Citizen scientists acting as volunteer Osprey nest monitors once again played a critical role in the data collection, as over 20 individuals submitted 1000-plus detailed accounts of Osprey activity at assigned nests. Greenbelt staff also participated in monitoring.
“Thanks go to the many dedicated volunteer citizen scientists who monitor the nests and collect data rain or shine. They are the real heroes,” said Rimmer.
Greenbelt’s Osprey Program was established in 2010 to improve Osprey conservation in northeastern Massachusetts. Over the years, Greenbelt has built and installed dozens of new nesting platforms, while also repairing existing platforms and assisting private land owners, towns and others wishing to install their own nesting platforms.
In 2018, the program continued with four focus areas: management of nest structures, monitoring of breeding activity, research, and outreach and education.