Osprey Banding Cruise Planned for July 8

The osprey is a fish-eating hawk common to northern Idaho. At least 100 pair nest annually in the Coeur d'Alene Lake region including the lower reaches of the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene Rivers. By mid September, the adults and the young of the year birds begin their annual migration all the way to Baja California, or Central or South America. The University of Idaho and the Idaho Fish and Game Department have been banding ospreys at Coeur d'Alene Lake for over 20 years, to determine survival and mortality rates and to further define the migration pattern and wintering areas of the population. To do this, birds are briefly taken from nests just before fledging. A band with a unique number is gently applied to one leg and the 6-7 week old birds are safely returned to the nest. Would you like to learn more about this bird, common to our area in the summer? How about coming along and watching ospreys being banded? An Osprey Boat Cruise has been scheduled for Saturday, July 8. The trip will run from 9 am -11 am, leaving from the Boardwalk Marina Dock at the East end of the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Boarding begins at 830. The cost of the trip is $15 for adults, students and children with parents are free. Reservations are required by July 6, by calling the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at 415-0115. Reservations may also be made on-line at the Coeur d'Alene Chamber website. Wildlife Biologists will be in a small boat that will travel alongside a Lake Coeur d'Alene Charter Cruise boat. Biologists, Dr. Wayne Melquist and Dr. Don Johnson, will take young of the year birds from osprey nests and band them while the passengers on the cruise boat watch and take photos. Wildlife experts Beth Paragamian and Jane Cantwell will be on board the cruise boat to provide information on ospreys and other wildlife species. Steve Grourke from The Nature Conservancy will be on board to discuss efforts his agency has made to protect and enhance habitat for osprey and other wildlife species. The event is sponsored by the Natural Resources Committee of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce. Cooperators include The Nature Conservancy, the Idaho Fish and Game Department, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the University of Idaho, and the Coeur d'Alene Resort.