MILFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – Connecticut ospreys are hatching for the season, but their numbers are at some of the lowest levels in over a decade \u2014 and conservationists say a shortage of their primary food source is to blame.<\/p>\n
The Connecticut Audubon Society, which has hundreds of volunteers monitoring roughly 1,000 osprey nests across the state, tracked 800 fledglings last year \u2014 averaging just over one per nest. It is the lowest number since the monitoring project began in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are already seeing much lower numbers in that range of fledglings,\u201d said Matthew Joyce, Conservation Science and Coastal Center Manager for the Connecticut Audubon Society. \u201cAnd we are also seeing a greater number of nests that have failed outright relative to last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Menhaden shortage driving the decline<\/p>\n
Ospreys typically nest near salt water \u2014 in man-made nests and atop telephone poles near the coast. They prey primarily on menhaden, a fish species that is in shorter supply this year. Less food means fewer surviving chicks.<\/p>\n
A nest in Milford hatched four chicks this year. Only three survived.<\/p>\n
Joyce said the situation is already worse in other regions and is moving north.<\/p>\n
\u201cOther areas like the Chesapeake Bay have seen massive die offs of osprey already and they\u2019ve made pretty good links with the lack of menhaden and those die offs,\u201d Joyce said.<\/p>\n
Public comment period open<\/p>\n
The Atlantic Fisheries Commission is currently accepting public comment about menhaden harvesting \u2014 specifically in Virginia, where the situation has been most severe. Joyce is encouraging Connecticut residents to submit comments to the commission to help protect the osprey population along the Connecticut coast.<\/p>\n
A link to submit public comment will be added when available.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next for Connecticut ospreys<\/p>\n
Connecticut ospreys typically remain in the state through October and into November before beginning their migration south.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been keeping a close eye on the population,\u201d Joyce said.<\/p>\n
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