The Center for Conservation Biology at William & Mary released a 2026 study revealing that Chesapeake Bay ospreys faced their worst breeding season on record due to widespread starvation.
Key Findings of the 2026 Study
- Historic Lows: Breeding pairs in salty and moderately salty waters produced an average of just 0.25 chicks per pair (one chick for every four pairs).
- High Failure Rates: About 81% of osprey pairs in these saltier areas failed to produce any surviving young.
- Population Threat: Demographic models show the breeding population in these regions could decline by 14% each year if this trend continues.
- Freshwater Contrast: Ospreys living near low-salinity (fresher) inland waters fared much better, producing enough young to maintain stable numbers, but they are heavily outnumbered by coastal pairs.
Why Are Ospreys Starving?
- Lack of Prey: Researchers led by Bryan Watts point to a severe drop in the availability of Atlantic menhaden (a small, oily fish) during the critical breeding months. [1, 2]
- Nest Abandonment: Parents are returning from migration but cannot find enough food, leading them to abandon hungry chicks in their nests.
About the Author
Duh…
First, we’ll kill the Menhaden and enrich Omega and their Politician friend$.
Then, the Chesapeake Bay and all of the critters who depend on them Die.
That’s about it…