The
Survey
1997 to Present:
 In the
spring of 1997, four members of the Nelson Naturalists were approached by a
well-known local birder to survey and monitor the local population of
Osprey. The purpose was to
continue the valuable work of surveying and monitoring this well-known and
loved bird of the Kootenays.
The area is very large, so was divided into two sections. It was quickly discovered that, even
though the distance from Nelson to Trail was greater, the number of nests between Nelson and
Balfour was higher. Each team
drove their route, exploring side roads to find viewing advantages for each
nest. Conversation with local
people provided valuable information about the location and history of some of
the nests.
With the arrival of the Osprey in mid April, the survey starts. The nests are monitored by viewing from
a distance, using binoculars and/or a spotting scope. The nests are not disturbed in any way.
Observations are made at least once a month from mid April to the beginning of
September. At the end of the season, nest
record cards are filled out for each nest with activity, and submitted to the
BC Nest Record Scheme in Victoria.
Data was collected in 1997, 1998 and 1999. We hope to continue our
monitoring in the coming years.
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A Bit of
History
After completing three seasons of monitoring and being partially
funded by Living Landscapes to produce an information pamphlet, I decided it
was time to piece together a history of the research and monitoring that has
occurred in our study area. With a
few questions, the information came together quickly.
1972 to 1997
The Birds of British Columbia (Campbell et all, 1980) does not make
any direct reference to Osprey in the Balfour to Trail area other than one
noteworthy mention in February 22, 1972, when one was reported in Trail,
BC. This publication's breeding
notes state, "The centre of abundance appears to be in the vicinity of Creston
and Nelson where approximately 140 pairs nest, making the area one of the most
concentrated in the world (Anonymous 1988)."
For many years, starting in 1978, Madge Hollington personally
monitored the fledging of young from nests as she fished her favorite locations
along the Kootenay River from Balfour to Castlegar. The log boom pilings along the south
shore of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake from Nelson to Troup was always a prime
location for nesting birds. Madge watched the birds for the pure love of being outdoors
and submitted her findings to the BC Nest Record Scheme. She stopped her monitoring when a graduate student studying
the Osprey came into the area.
Starting in the summer of 1987, formal population monitoring started
from Crawford Bay and Balfour to Nelson.
The two main researchers were Chris Steeger, working on his master's
degree, and Marlene Machmer, collecting data for her honors thesis. Their work was funded through Simon
Fraser University. In 1991, Castlegar, and Trail to Waneta, was added to the
study area. With help from other
students, Chris and Marlene's work
continued until 1997. The Canadian Wildlife Service provided funding for a
toxicology study from 1991 - 1996.
The work of collecting eggs from selected nests was done voluntarily and
a boat was provided by Simon Fraser University. There are one honors thesis, three
masters' theses and seven publications from this work.
Our local birder, Linda Van Damme, is known throughout the province
for her bird research and writing and has also contributed to the growing
wealth of local Osprey information.
Linda has been recording and submitting information to the BC Nest
Record Scheme since 1982. She has
also contributed to the publication, Birds of BC Volume II.
Prepared by
Nelson
Naturalists:
Emilee
Fanjoy
Elaine Moore
Rita Wege
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