Osprey: Recovered Raptor

The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large raptor that almost became extinct due to the use of DDT in the 1950's and 60's. 

Osprey link 

Rachael Carson's seminal book, "Silent Spring," brought the public's attention to the horrid side effects of DDT and other pesticides.

"Silent Spring"

Now, 50 years later, the Ospreys have recovered and are thriving and quite common here in SW Florida.

Osprey Colony Project

They are great fishermen...much better than Bald Eagles.

Osprey conservation

Much effort has been done by many volunteer groups to provide nesting platforms for Ospreys.  That, and the banning of DDT have made the species recovery possible.

Any kind of pollution or contamination eventually effects the top predators of a food chain or food web.  It's called bioaccumulation, whereby the offending substance is multiplied all the way up the food chain.

Effects of DDT

Bioaccumulation

Here is a happy Osprey family on a nesting platform on Pine Island.