Structures to Bring Osprey to the Pierre Area

PIERRE, S.D. —Visitors to the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area and surrounding area may notice peculiar new structures erected near the Missouri River. What may appear to be strangely-placed light fixtures are rather a good-faith effort of providing a home for annual migrating, feathered visitors.

The Missouri Breaks chapter of the National Audubon Society has constructed three nesting platforms for Osprey in the Pierre-Fort Pierre area. Local birder Ricky Olson of Fort Pierre initiated the project by working in cooperation with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The City of Fort Pierre donated the utility poles and a crew to erect the platforms.

Osprey are large birds of prey that feed exclusively on fish. Every spring and fall Osprey migrate through the Missouri River area. Olson and other interested birders hope that some will now stay and nest in the area. Similar nesting platforms have been successfully used in other states to assist in the recovery of the species. Osprey nest in the Black Hills area and are popular with the public, as they put on spectacular shows while fishing and feeding young.

Like the Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon, Osprey were in severe decline due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT in the 1960’s and 1970’s. DDT caused thinning of the eggs which dropped reproduction of all three species dramatically. DDT is now banned in the United State. All three species have made a strong comeback and are now quite common in much of the United States.

Osprey can be viewed in the spring at the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area. They enjoy showing off their diving skills to fisherman and diners at the Oahe Marina. The Osprey migrate through shortly after the park’s winter residents, the Bald Eagles, leave to nest in the spring.

— GFP —