Breckenridge Destinations supports independent journalism. Click for great deals on vacation lodging in Breckenridge.
Jenney Coberly films an osprey in action
An osprey carries a fish to safe perch. PHOTO: COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE.
By Jenney Coberly
Keep an eye out for osprey when you’re out on Dillon Reservoir, along the Blue River, or along Highway 9 near Silverthorne Elementary School, where the Division of Wildlife has erected some platforms for their nests. I was very fortunate to catch sight of an osprey diving in for a trout just as I was filming along the Blue River north of Breckenridge.
Osprey are migratory birds that winter primarily in the Caribbean. The large birds can range from 21-26 inches in length with wingspans varying from 59-67 inches. With a white head, darkly speckled crown and a conspicuous wide, dark eye-line, they are easily recognizable as they perch on trees near water.
During the 1960s, osprey nearly disappeared from Colorado due to the impacts of toxic chemicals such as DDT in the fish they ate. They were literally wiped out in other areas, but persisted in the intermountain area of Colorado, probably because the waters were not as severely impacted by pesticide runoff, according to Colorado Division of Wildlife biologists. Learn more about osprey at Audubon.
Filed under: biodiversity, Environment, Summit County Colorado, video, wildlife Tagged: | Birds, birds of prey, Blue River, conservation, osprey, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News, Summit County wildlife, wildlife
Arapahoe Basin supports independent journalism. Click to visit The Legend online.
Powder's falling at Monarch!! Have you reserved your spot yet?
Innovative energy underwrites coverage of energy stories.
[...] VIDEO: An osprey lands a trout on the Blue River [...]
[...] VIDEO: An osprey lands a trout on the Blue River [...]