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Ospreys: The Revival of a Global Raptor
A fascinating look at one of the greatest conservation success stories of the modern the wildly popular, unique, and thrilling raptor, the Osprey.
Ospreys are one of the few bird species that are found throughout the world. From forests in Hokkaido to rivers in Oregon and islands off Australia, Ospreys steal the show as nature lovers easily watch them build their massive nests and tend to their young. The fact that the Osprey is one of the few large birds that can hover adds to its mystique, and to watch it plunge into the water, emerging with a fish clutched in its talons, is truly a sight one will remember.
As widespread as Ospreys are, not long ago they were under threat of extinction. During the 1950s and '60s, scientists tied the decline of Osprey populations to the heavy use of DDT and other human pollutants. In the 1980s, Ospreys began a slow recovery due to the efforts of conservationists and through the resilience of the adaptable raptors themselves. Today they are again considered common in most parts of the world, although some populations remain threatened.
In this gorgeously illustrated book, Alan F. Poole, one of America's premier Osprey experts, has written a lyrical exposé of these majestic creatures, describing their daily habits and exploring their relationship with the environment. Ospreys celebrates the species' miraculous recovery from contaminants and hunters, chronicles their spectacular long-distance migrations, and unveils their vital role in bringing life to coastal habitats. Few other birds have such a hold on the human imagination. This book shows us why.
Ospreys are one of the few bird species that are found throughout the world. From forests in Hokkaido to rivers in Oregon and islands off Australia, Ospreys steal the show as nature lovers easily watch them build their massive nests and tend to their young. The fact that the Osprey is one of the few large birds that can hover adds to its mystique, and to watch it plunge into the water, emerging with a fish clutched in its talons, is truly a sight one will remember.
As widespread as Ospreys are, not long ago they were under threat of extinction. During the 1950s and '60s, scientists tied the decline of Osprey populations to the heavy use of DDT and other human pollutants. In the 1980s, Ospreys began a slow recovery due to the efforts of conservationists and through the resilience of the adaptable raptors themselves. Today they are again considered common in most parts of the world, although some populations remain threatened.
In this gorgeously illustrated book, Alan F. Poole, one of America's premier Osprey experts, has written a lyrical exposé of these majestic creatures, describing their daily habits and exploring their relationship with the environment. Ospreys celebrates the species' miraculous recovery from contaminants and hunters, chronicles their spectacular long-distance migrations, and unveils their vital role in bringing life to coastal habitats. Few other birds have such a hold on the human imagination. This book shows us why.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 26, 2022
Ospreys are one of my favorite birds. I live just 2 miles from a nest and visit it as often as I can from April - September. I have seen many juveniles fledged, seen many fish delivered to the nest and seen nest failures. I feel like a proud and nervous parent! I really wish I knew what happens to each of the ospreys that I watch. This book helped me to imagine them on their migration and possible wintering grounds in Mexico or the Caribbean or even Africa. I am so happy that enough people care for the survival of this amazing raptor. The science and writing in this book were in depth and explanatory. The photographs were also awesome.
December 4, 2019
I read this book because I keep up with the Hellgate Ospreys webcam hosted by the Montana Osprey Project, so I am familiar with these birds. But this book is extremely accessible even if you've only just discovered that the bird you saw hovering and then diving into the ocean wasn't a pelican. The author provides plenty of historical information alongside the latest data from researchers across the world. Each aspect of an Osprey's life is discussed in fascinating detail with numerous gorgeous pictures.
March 12, 2021
Great read, it's not too 'dense' but still informative. It is divided up in a way which follows a year in the life of an osprey, through different chapters on each phase. It then talks about threats, areas of progress, and what the future for them looks like. Nice photos are interspersed throughout, and the reading never gets bogged down; I think it's a skill to be able to write chapters like that, where none of them seem just a bit too long, particularly over the course of an entire book.
March 20, 2020
Very well written by one of the leaders in the field. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the photos, maps, tables, and illustrations. As a former science publisher, I really appreciate the attention to detail in creating a visual experience that matches Dr. Poole's facility with language and story telling.
August 14, 2020
An uplifting study of how ospreys have come back to many of their habitats and how humans are (mostly) helping them recover their numbers. There are certainly many around eastern Long Island (where we are spending the quarantine months) and we're enjoying watching them while reading about them.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews