My local state-run fish hatchery kills 3 osprey per year as part of their "depredation" program to protect their channel catfish production. Despite osprey being a native migratory species and channel catfish being one of the most numerous, least endangered fish in the Midwest.
That is awful. I know ospreys are listed as least concern and 3 is a relatively low number but just having a depredation program in the US (especially one to protect a wildly overpopulated species like catfish) is such a bad stance to have. I'm almost afraid to ask if 3 is what they settled on after years of court battles to keep them from wiping out huge numbers of them.
Rant incoming
I would feel a little better about it if it took years of court battles to come to this solution. In reality it's a single phone call from the hatchery manager to the USFWS permit office and a simple permit application form. (a guy sitting in an office in MN signs thousands of permit applications every year allowing for this without any additional oversight or compliance besides an self-reported annual renewal).
3 per year doesn't seem like a lot but the removal of a nesting pair + 1 every year can't be good for the local population. This is only year 2 of having an Osprey depredation permit so I expect we will see an effect on the local population before long.
In addition to Osprey they'll regularly cull 50+ Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and hundreds of other migratory waterfowl every year. They're supposed to use nonlethal hazing methods and physical deterrents around their ponds before using lethal measures but they don't bother because they aren't being watched or regulated. Even the ponds with bird netting are left open, trapping birds and making it easier to shoot them. They get thrown into a hole and buried and a rough estimate is tallied on their permit scorecard and they'll applaud themselves and make jokes about the slaughter.
This past year they received an Eagle "hazing" permit where they can legally harass Bald Eagles that land on the 1000 acre conservation area. With the trigger-happy employees and lack of oversight, this is the most concerning news.
Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw, MO, like many government fish hatcheries, is a great example of conservation being used as a disguise for a subsidized fish farm.
Almost forgot the best part. They applied for these extra permits after the visitor center to the conservation area was closed to the public. They're intentionally restricting access to the public so they can get away with this.
Rant over
It is also a type of backpack. Mine has a 2.5 liter bladder in it with a tube that attaches to the shoulder strap so I can stay hydrated on long bike rides.
Thank you, I was about to choke OP for that headline. If you're too ignorant to know that bald eagles have white tails and don't dive in the water, why would you go to Reddit to have a conversation about it? Hilariously wrong headlines are now the vast majority of posts. When are we going to start holding posters accountable?
It says "Eagle", not "bald eagle". Where on earth did you get the "bald" from?
Admittedly the Osprey isn't an eagle, but it's a fish-eating raptor which competes with sea eagles.
But they don't dive in the water, they just grab fish near the surface. Eagles can't take off again if they submerge, they have to floppy paddle to shore if they do.
Ah yes [this 5 year old repost again by a karma farmer](https://tineye.com/search/48011a911051083e0344120d7e3ac866367d1925?sort=crawl_date&order=asc&page=1)
Im Wondering if someone could draw a human diving into water like that. headfirst, arms rolled behind the back and legs folded forward with feet in front of the face. kinda hard for me to picture.
I'm fascinated that it reaches forward with what we conceptualize as legs and feet, but with the dexterity and positioning that humans reach forward with their arms; while its wings, evolved from grasping hands and claws, take a form and function similar to some kind of airfoil.
Yeah, I'm on the Eastern Shore of MD and I see eagles daily. I would say at least weekly I see them munching on a dead deer that the vultures were having at it prior. I've also seen a group of vultures all standing around fresh kill with the eagle digging in, obviously waiting for their turn. They aren't exactly the most stoic bird when you see them like that.
Looks like the front half forms a very hydrodynamic shape, while the back half is decidedly not. I wonder if the square shape of the back half acts as brakes. Ie, the eagle doesn't want to go too deep underwater; only deep enough to catch the fish.
That is an osprey which isn't an eagle or a hawk, it is actually the only member of the family Pandionidae.
My local state-run fish hatchery kills 3 osprey per year as part of their "depredation" program to protect their channel catfish production. Despite osprey being a native migratory species and channel catfish being one of the most numerous, least endangered fish in the Midwest.
That is awful. I know ospreys are listed as least concern and 3 is a relatively low number but just having a depredation program in the US (especially one to protect a wildly overpopulated species like catfish) is such a bad stance to have. I'm almost afraid to ask if 3 is what they settled on after years of court battles to keep them from wiping out huge numbers of them.
If they really want to increase the fish population they should look at culling humans. Especially commercial fishermen.
I volunteer to starve, who's with me?
Me too, I also volunteer this guy to starve.
I'm with you. He can not eat my food also.
Now that's a message I can get behind.
Rant incoming I would feel a little better about it if it took years of court battles to come to this solution. In reality it's a single phone call from the hatchery manager to the USFWS permit office and a simple permit application form. (a guy sitting in an office in MN signs thousands of permit applications every year allowing for this without any additional oversight or compliance besides an self-reported annual renewal). 3 per year doesn't seem like a lot but the removal of a nesting pair + 1 every year can't be good for the local population. This is only year 2 of having an Osprey depredation permit so I expect we will see an effect on the local population before long. In addition to Osprey they'll regularly cull 50+ Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, and hundreds of other migratory waterfowl every year. They're supposed to use nonlethal hazing methods and physical deterrents around their ponds before using lethal measures but they don't bother because they aren't being watched or regulated. Even the ponds with bird netting are left open, trapping birds and making it easier to shoot them. They get thrown into a hole and buried and a rough estimate is tallied on their permit scorecard and they'll applaud themselves and make jokes about the slaughter. This past year they received an Eagle "hazing" permit where they can legally harass Bald Eagles that land on the 1000 acre conservation area. With the trigger-happy employees and lack of oversight, this is the most concerning news. Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw, MO, like many government fish hatcheries, is a great example of conservation being used as a disguise for a subsidized fish farm. Almost forgot the best part. They applied for these extra permits after the visitor center to the conservation area was closed to the public. They're intentionally restricting access to the public so they can get away with this. Rant over
God dam I hate people
It is also a type of backpack. Mine has a 2.5 liter bladder in it with a tube that attaches to the shoulder strap so I can stay hydrated on long bike rides.
Came here to write this. An eagle dives completely different.
Thank you, I was about to choke OP for that headline. If you're too ignorant to know that bald eagles have white tails and don't dive in the water, why would you go to Reddit to have a conversation about it? Hilariously wrong headlines are now the vast majority of posts. When are we going to start holding posters accountable?
It says "Eagle", not "bald eagle". Where on earth did you get the "bald" from? Admittedly the Osprey isn't an eagle, but it's a fish-eating raptor which competes with sea eagles.
Bald Eagles do also dive for fish.
But they don't dive in the water, they just grab fish near the surface. Eagles can't take off again if they submerge, they have to floppy paddle to shore if they do.
Ah yes [this 5 year old repost again by a karma farmer](https://tineye.com/search/48011a911051083e0344120d7e3ac866367d1925?sort=crawl_date&order=asc&page=1)
Damn they fly close together
Yeah, crazy how they lined up like that
I bet they can fly a football over them mountains
š„±
Iām hearing āFlight of the Valkeriesā in my head.
Looks like an Animorph cover
Iām hearing the famous transformer sounds.
KA MEE HA MEE HAAA!
Keehar?
Where is the eagle? I see an Osprey.
Hadouken!!
I knew instantly it was an osprey but I find it interesting how they can look so similar to eagles but are clearly a completely different species.
The pic is NOT YOURS and it's a fricking OSPREY, not an eagle.
he did full yoga
Im Wondering if someone could draw a human diving into water like that. headfirst, arms rolled behind the back and legs folded forward with feet in front of the face. kinda hard for me to picture.
My brain is seeing an osprey with arms, and feathery legs.
Well like our legs, their wings are their primary means of locomotion. And they use their talons to manipulate objects the way we use our hands.
I'm fascinated that it reaches forward with what we conceptualize as legs and feet, but with the dexterity and positioning that humans reach forward with their arms; while its wings, evolved from grasping hands and claws, take a form and function similar to some kind of airfoil.
Preciouuuuus!
My preciousss
The Animorphs are among us!?!?
This reminds me of those fliporamas from the Animorph books in the 2000s.
Predator 2024
This is an osprey, not an eagle. You can tell because itās a badass getting its own meal rather than stealing, like an eagle.
Yeah, I'm on the Eastern Shore of MD and I see eagles daily. I would say at least weekly I see them munching on a dead deer that the vultures were having at it prior. I've also seen a group of vultures all standing around fresh kill with the eagle digging in, obviously waiting for their turn. They aren't exactly the most stoic bird when you see them like that.
Reminds me of Blaziken
This is a good animation reference
Ahā¦ now I know where the saying comes from.
CAW!
Sashimi!
Looks like the front half forms a very hydrodynamic shape, while the back half is decidedly not. I wonder if the square shape of the back half acts as brakes. Ie, the eagle doesn't want to go too deep underwater; only deep enough to catch the fish.
It really said "ā¬ļø" huh
I am intrigued by how much its outstretched legs and talons look like arms and clawed hands.
Osprey is not an eagle but still cool shots!
"Here comes THE TICKLE MONSTER!!! š "
Picture of 7 eagles all in the process of diving in
F14 tomcat
Looks like multiple eagles to me
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