Osprey Boat Cruise Planned

Large birds are often sighted around the northern end of Coeur d'Alene Lake in the summer months, soaring and perching on trees. It is a common sight all over the Idaho Panhandle to see a black, white and brown bird soaring overhead before diving in a long sweeping fall from the sky toward the lake. Sometimes pulling up at the last minute, other times diving just below the surface, the birds snatch fish in their sharp talons before taking flight with a fish that ventured too close to the surface. Another meal captured, the birds of prey head off to consume the meal, or deliver it to a nest for the benefit of newly hatched chicks. Bald eagles nest along Coeur d'Alene Lake, and are frequently seen there. However, the most often sighted bird that matches this color and behavior, is the osprey. 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 Idaho Fish and Game Department has been banding ospreys in 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. Birds are momentarily 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 12. The trip will run from 9 am -11 am, leaving from the Boardwalk Marina Dock at the East end of the Cd'A Resort. The cost of the trip is $10 for adults, students and children with parents are free. Reservations are required by July 7, by calling the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at 664-3194. 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 on board the cruise boat will provide information on ospreys and other wildlife species and programs. The event is sponsored by the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce. Cooperators include the Idaho Fish and Game Department, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the University of Idaho, the Coeur d'Alene Resort, the Nature Conservancy, and Foss Maritime.