From the time of the Calusa and later historic fishing rancheros, to one of the earliest recreational fishing industries in the U.S., Pine Island Sound and surrounding waters have long supported some of the most ardent and resourceful fishing communities in Florida – including ospreys! Ospreys are one of the only birds of prey  in North America that catch and eat live fish.

Coastal Florida is lucky to host ospreys year-round, and at the Randell Research Center, we are honored that many call Pineland home. With easy access to the shallow water fishing habitats of Pine Island Sound, they can often be found eating their catch among the beautiful limbs of Royal poinciana (not native) that double as dining spots along the Calusa Heritage Trail!

“Ospreys are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica.  Regardless of where our visitors are from, many of them are eager and happy to be able to identify ospreys by sight or sound.  It’s especially rewarding because we can make connections with our visitors based on our shared experiences watching these amazing birds.  Right now, especially, we see ospreys flying about with nesting material and we can even hear the babies in the nests we can see from surf clam ridge!”  says Randell Research Center supporter and former Operations Manager, Annisa Karim.

Ospreys are generally considered a conservation success story according to data from a recent North American Breeding Bird Survey by the USGS.  “Osprey populations were devastated by DDT and did not recover until the pesticide was banned. Sites such as Pineland, which are relatively free of many contaminants, likely provided a refuge for Ospreys during the DDT years and contributed to their recovery.” says Randell Research Center Advisory Board Member and Ordway Professor of Ecosystem Conservation at the Florida Museum, Scott Robinson.

However, it is important to know that ospreys across the Gulf coast of Florida remain vulnerable to changes in water quality and fisheries health, as well as habitat damage or loss due to hurricane events and development. We are proud that the ecological preserve at the Florida Museum’s Randell Research Center and its Calusa legacy landscapes support a healthy estuarine shoreline, a bevy of native tree species and plants, as well as open spaces for osprey populations to thrive.

The next time you are enjoying the Gulf coast of Florida, including here at the Randell Research Center, remember to look up and give a nod to our osprey neighbors and friends.

Trail Spotlights