Lake County and Clear Lake have dozens of species of birds. Huge flocks of the majestic American pelicans can be seen skimming over the water, seeking fish. There are literally thousands of western grebes. Bald eagles also visit the lake each year, but by far one of the most majestic birds is the osprey.
Because of the millions of shad, hitch and bass in the lake, the osprey can enjoy a literal smorgasbord of fish and this large fish-eating hawk can be found throughout the Clear Lake Basin.
At one time ospreys were rarely seen at Clear Lake, but in the past five years there are at least a dozen pairs that nest around the lake. They can be easily identified in flight by the white belly and long black-tipped narrow wings. The head is mostly white with a dark brown stripe that extends from the eye. Their beak is hooked at the end, which allows them to tear a fish into small bits. The bottom of their feet have short sharp spines, which help them to hold on to fish and their feathers also have an oil coating, which helps keep the feathers dry when they dive into the water.
The primary fish for osprey that live at Clear Lake are hitch, small carp, threadfin shad and small bass. They locate their prey by flying low over the water. When they spot a fish near the surface they will climb and then dive with their talons outstretched. Once they grab a fish they will turn it so the head of the fish faces forward. The osprey will then fly back to its nest with his catch.
They mate for life and their nests can be huge. They return to the same nest year-after-year and continually add to it with dead sticks and grass. The nests can weigh as much as 700 pounds. They build their nests near the tops of trees (preferably dead ones) and sometimes even on power poles. Since their diet consists entirely of fish, the nests are always located near water.
The female will lay from three to four eggs and then incubate them for approximately 35 days. Both the male and female rear the young. It takes from three to four fish per day to feed an osprey family.
The pesticide DDT nearly caused the extinction of this magnificent bird. The DDT got into the fish and from there to the osprey. The result was that the eggs shells became too thin and broke. However, since DDT has been banned, the ospreys have made a dramatic comeback.
Like most birds of prey, ospreys are a good indication of the health of the environment. When the environment is healthy, the ospreys prosper. However, if a body of water becomes polluted the ospreys will leave.
Like all wild critters, a food source is vital to their survival. With the massive abundance of fish in the lake the osprey population will probably continue to grow.
At Clear Lake the ospreys stay throughout the year and don”t migrate. There are also ospreys at Upper Blue Lake, Indian Valley Reservoir and Lake Pillsbury. The best places to view this unique bird are near the state park, the shoreline between Nice and Lucerne, north of Lakeport, Rodman Slough, Konocti Harbor and Anderson Marsh.
The osprey is just another example on the diversity of bird and fish life at Clear Lake. It also goes to show there are few lakes in the West that can match our lake.
Terry Knight can be reached at tknight3021@sbcglobal.net or by calling (707) 263-1699. Letters intended for publication that respond to Mr. Knight”s column can be sent to news@clearlakeobserver.com.
