March 7, 2010

Hudson is out of the gate first as he started his journey north on Sunday.  He left his winter home on the Meta River on the border between Colombia and Venezuela at about 3 pm and flew north by northwest to the point you see on the map by 6 pm.  We will keep you updated as Hudson continues his voyage.  Ozzie has not left Cuba yet, but we will let you know when he makes his move!

Westport is home to one of the more significant breeding populations of Osprey in North America.  Building on the legacy of Gil and Jo Fernandez, who, over 40 years, installed nearly 100 breeding platforms in the Westport River and Allens Pond, the Westport River Watershed Alliance and Mass Audubon’s Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary have joined forces to maintain those platforms and monitor the breeding activity of some 80 pairs of Osprey since 2002.

Now these two organizations are launching a new initiative to learn more about where our Westport Osprey catch their fish locally and where they migrate in the winter.  By putting small transmitters on the backs of three adult male Ospreys, we will be able to track their travels on an hourly basis.  The information will be posted on this website and will be available not only to interested Osprey fans, but also will be incorporated into local school programs to teach about migration and wildlife behavior.    

This website provides links to many sites relating to Osprey and to Westport.  We invite you to explore with us and see how you can participate in this fascinating 21st Century learning adventure. // //

March 1st, 2010

Hudson and Ozzie are preparing for their trip back to Westport.  They should be leaving any day now, but perhaps they heard about the snow and are waiting a little while longer.  Ozzie is starting from Cuba.  Hudson has a much larger distance to travel as he is all the way down in South America almost directly on the border between Venezuala and Colombia.  Stay tuned for their next move and vote on which you think will make it back first.