Operation Osprey

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Operation Osprey

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Operation Osprey's mission is to conduct an annual Osprey nesting and population Survey in the Severn River watershed as well as Engage and Educate the public about the raptors' migratory life and behaviors.

05/14/2026

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with Anglers Sport Center to support our ongoing Osprey research and conservation efforts.

Working with Operations Manager Roger Sexauer, Operation Osprey will gain access to fresh bait fish including alewife and menhaden while also connecting with local watermen trawling and pound netting in the Severn watershed and near Hoopers Island. This collaboration will help us better understand seasonal bait fish availability and its connection to Osprey foraging success.

As part of this initiative, participating Osprey Stewards will receive fresh fish supplements for nest boxes, allowing us to compare nest survival rates between supplemented and non-supplemented nests.

We hope this effort will improve Osprey survival during the critical nestling stage and provide valuable insight into the challenges facing our local population. If you’re interested in participating and receiving fresh fish for your nest, please contact us! https://operationosprey.org/contact-us

05/12/2026

For years, Fred and Matilda have returned to the same pine tree to rebuild their nest each season. This year, however, their familiar calls have been absent and no activity has been observed at their traditional nesting site.

A new osprey nest has since appeared atop the flying bridge at Leo’s Marina, creating new questions about the pair and the season ahead.

While the status of Fred and Matilda remains uncertain, there is still encouraging news across the Severn River watershed, where many active nests and eggs were documented during our April survey.

Read the full update here: https://operationosprey.org/news/f/martins-cove-osprey-nesting-update-%E2%80%93-may-2026

03/29/2026

Operation Osprey is proud to share our updated logo along with a newly redesigned website. These updates enhance how we communicate our mission and provide a clearer view of our work monitoring and protecting Osprey on the Severn River.

The new site offers improved access to our programs, current research, and ongoing initiatives, as well as opportunities to stay engaged throughout the nesting season.

Explore the updates and learn more: https://operationosprey.org/

03/21/2026

We’re excited to share what’s ahead for Operation Osprey in 2026!

This nesting season, we’ll be launching a GPS tracking study on Severn River Osprey to better understand where they hunt, how far they travel, and where they migrate in South America. This work will help us dig deeper into what’s impacting reproductive success here in the Chesapeake Bay.

Read more about the project here:
https://operationosprey.org/news/f/operation-osprey-launches-gps-tracking-study-for-2026

02/17/2026

Operation Osprey was recently featured in The Baltimore Banner about the challenges facing ospreys on the Severn River and across the Chesapeake Bay.

In 2025, we tracked 63 nests and only 15 chicks survived. While these iconic raptors are resilient, their struggles may signal broader ecosystem challenges in the Bay.

Read more about our work and the story behind the numbers: https://operationosprey.org/news/f/our-work-on-severn-river-osprey-in-the-spotlight

02/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming Michael Academia to the Operation Osprey team! Michael joins us as a Fish Ecologist, bringing a strong background in fisheries biology and nationally recognized research focused on ospreys and Atlantic menhaden in the Lower Chesapeake Bay. We’re excited to have his expertise supporting our conservation work.

02/01/2026

What’s for Dinner? A Look at Osprey Prey in the Severn River:

From May through August 2025, our Kingten Osprey Fellow, Michael Academia, used a high-resolution nest camera to document prey deliveries at a Severn River Osprey nest and what they reveal about local fish availability.

Key findings:
• 152 identifiable fish deliveries were recorded
• Diet was dominated by small, surface-schooling fish
• Atlantic menhaden made up 25 percent of deliveries, followed by gizzard shad at 13 percent
• Fish deliveries peaked in early June, then declined through July and August
• Of three nestlings observed, only one successfully fledged

Because Osprey depend on frequent deliveries of small schooling fish, especially Atlantic menhaden, changes in forage fish availability can directly affect breeding success.

Full report available here: https://operationosprey.org/studies-and-reports

01/27/2026

We’re excited to welcome Tessa Beaver to Operation Osprey as our Water Quality Data Manager. Tessa brings extensive experience in water quality monitoring, data management and research across freshwater and marine systems. We’re thrilled to have her supporting the data that drives our conservation efforts.

11/28/2025

Ken and Alex returned from the International Raptor Research Foundation Conference in San José, Costa Rica, where they shared Operation Osprey’s latest work on migration research and data integration. They also connected with birders and conservationists across South America to strengthen partnerships for future wintering-season studies.

We’re proud to share that Ken’s presentation received outstanding feedback, including praise from the incoming RRF president.

Read the full recap and check out the presentation on our website: https://operationosprey.org/news/f/operation-osprey-shares-research-at-the-rrf-conference

10/30/2025

The Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary released results from the 2025 breeding season, revealing continued declines in reproductive success across much of the Bay. Operation Osprey contributed field data alongside partners including the U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia Aquarium, and others. Findings show that food stress and chick loss are now extending farther up tributaries, with higher salinity areas seeing the lowest nesting success.

Operation Osprey is helping identify and address these challenges by testing ways to deter geese from occupying nests, analyzing long-term water quality data and collaborating internationally to better understand Osprey ecology.

Read the full article on our website: https://operationosprey.org/news/f/2025-breeding-season-reveals-expanding-reproductive-deficits

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Annapolis, MD

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https://operationosprey.org/

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