Osprey 20-451
An Osprey, baling twine and a fishing lure was a deadly combination. The young Osprey was seen dangling from a nest that was covered in baling twine at Ice Harbor Dam. Army Corps of Engineers biologist Jim Castle was contacted. By the time he arrived the Osprey had managed to get back into the nest. Since the nest was atop a power pole, Franklin PUD was called to assist in cutting the osprey loose.
The material entangled around the Osprey’s leg and foot included a fishing lure with a hook and baling twine. Unfortunately, the damage was too extensive to repair and he was humanely euthanized.
The damage to both bone and soft tissue is visible on the radiograph. The injured leg is on the left.
The fishing lure was likely attached to a fish brought to the nest by a parent bird. Almost all Osprey nests contain baling twine. I’m not sure if they add the twine for structural integrity or as decoration, but every year we receive calls about Osprey being tangled in baling twine. The solution is simple. Properly dispose of the twine as soon as it comes off the bale.
And please, keep yourself and others safe. Wear a mask when out in public and practice good social distancing.
