Osprey enthusiasts migrate to historic Colonial Beach for annual festival
After a two year in-person hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, Colonial Beach recently held its annual Osprey Festival.
Mayor Robin Schick welcomed the enthusiastic crowd with a sincere and proud proclamation designating the osprey as the official bird of Colonial Beach. Mayor Schick also emphasized gratitude and collaboration as key to the festival’s success.
“What Colonial Beach, along with Joanie and her team have done, is remarkable” stated Kathryn Brintnall, president of The International Osprey Foundation who traveled from Sanibel Island, Florida, to join in the festivities. “Putting on a successful festival of this magnitude is no easy task, hats off to Joanie (and her husband, Barry), the other co-chairs, Joyce Reimherr, Sally Adams and the many volunteers for a job well done” added Brintnall.
Specifically, Mayor Schick and Brintnall were referring to Joanie Millward, volunteer co-chair of the event. “I can emphatically say that everyone genuinely had a great time,” said Millward. “It is because we have a strong volunteer base, great vendors and an impressive lineup of presenters. It’s a strong recipe. And we cannot wait for 2023,” concluded a giddy Millward.
Dr. Alan Poole delivered the keynote presentation via Zoom. With an overflow capacity, the presentation was also streamed live at the local brewery with a sizeable crowd.
A renowned author and leading osprey researcher at Cornell University, Poole gave an inspiring, motivational and informative presentation. He emphasized that the Chesapeake Bay region, to include Colonial Beach, supports the largest osprey breeding population in the world. While the widespread use of toxic pesticides pushed populations of the fish-eating raptor to an estimated low of 1,450 breeding pairs in the early 1970s, a 1972 ban on the pesticide DDT helped populations recover.
By the mid-1990s, an estimated 3,500 breeding pairs were found on the bay and its tidal tributaries. Estimates from the Center for Conservation Biology place the bay’s current osprey population at 8,000 to 10,000 breeding pairs, with the world population at fewer than 100,000 birds. Similar population decline and recovery stories exist for bald eagles, brown pelicans and peregrine falcons.
The amazing rebound of ospreys has exceeded the availability of natural nesting sites. Human-made nesting structures are rarely unoccupied, and ospreys are now nesting on cell towers and lighting structures. This can create conflicts with human values and needs. Poole urged conservation and co-existence awareness.
Given this year’s success, festival goers are already looking forward to next year. “Sign me up, I will definitely be back,” said a happy Sharron and Bobby Shifflett. And who can blame them?
Author: Sal Icaza
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SCCF wrapped up the monitoring of its first-ever osprey nesting season with impressive results: 187 of 221 chicks fledged, an 84.6% success rate, and a productivity rate of 1.24 — well above the 0.8–1.15 range needed to sustain the population. Volunteers monitored 151 active nests across Sanibel, Captiva, Pine Island, and Fort Myers Beach as part of a program that watches over 200 osprey nests throughout the region to track population health and reproductive success, feeding data into the global OspreyWatch database. Because ospreys eat an almost entirely fish-based diet, their populations act as a sentinel for water quality — making this season’s strong numbers a good sign for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems, not just its raptors. In January, The International Osprey Foundation officially transferred its mission to SCCF. Founded in 1981, TIOF spent decades building the region’s osprey program before entrusting it to SCCF. With its mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems, the osprey monitoring program complements SCCF’s broader conservation science work. Learn more about our osprey monitoring work>>> Adopt an osprey nest to support our efforts>>>
Fledgling on the left, compared to its parent on the right. Young ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) began to take flight last month, with at least 43 chicks fledged after months of efforts from osprey parents. Ospreys lay an average of 3 eggs that hatch after 5-6 weeks of incubation. Young chicks can be hard to see from below, so it may take a few weeks for chicks to be confirmed. SCCF volunteer monitors can rely on various clues to determine that a nest has hatched, such as observing the female sitting higher and displaying behaviors like feeding and shading.
Since SCCF began monitoring ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in January 2026, the nesting season is in full swing, with numerous nests incubating and even the first chicks confirmed. The photo above, provided by volunteer Penny Albright, is the first confirmed chick! With the help of 40 volunteers, SCCF took over The International Osprey Foundation’s mission and is now monitoring nests on Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island. “Volunteers will continue to monitor nests until the latest chicks fledge in July,” said SCCF Osprey Monitoring Coordinator Amanda Manrique. Both resident and migratory ospreys begin nesting in Florida as early as December, with migratory birds arriving from as far south as Argentina. Ospreys are raptors — predatory birds with sharp talons and a sharp, curved beak. “Though they are sometimes nicknamed the ‘fish hawk’ or ‘sea hawk,’ they actually belong in their own unique family, Pandionidae, of which they are the only species,” adds Manrique. “Their range is amazing — it reaches every continent besides Antarctica.” Ospreys are especially prevalent near shallow waters, as they are heavily dependent on fish for their diet. They are opportunistic nesters and have been known to build nests on trees, chimneys, utility poles, signs, and man-made platforms. “They prefer to nest in open areas to protect their nests from ground predators, often making the nests highly visible to humans, which is great for monitoring the population,” said Manrique. Volunteers have been trained and all slots are filled for this season, with plans to open up again for next year’s nesting season. Please watch or photograph osprey nests from a distance and report threats to sccfospreys@gmail.com. Learn more at sccf.org/osprey-monitoring
Since SCCF began monitoring ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in January 2026, the nesting season is in full swing, with numerous nests incubating and even the first chicks confirmed. The photo above, provided by volunteer Penny Albright, is the first confirmed chick! With the help of 40 volunteers, SCCF took over The International Osprey Foundation’s mission and is now monitoring nests on Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island. “Volunteers will continue to monitor nests until the latest chicks fledge in July,” said SCCF Osprey Monitoring Coordinator Amanda Manrique. Both resident and migratory ospreys begin nesting in Florida as early as December, with migratory birds arriving from as far south as Argentina. Ospreys are raptors — predatory birds with sharp talons and a sharp, curved beak. “Though they are sometimes nicknamed the ‘fish hawk’ or ‘sea hawk,’ they actually belong in their own unique family, Pandionidae, of which they are the only species,” adds Manrique. “Their range is amazing — it reaches every continent besides Antarctica.” Ospreys are especially prevalent near shallow waters, as they are heavily dependent on fish for their diet. They are opportunistic nesters and have been known to build nests on trees, chimneys, utility poles, signs, and man-made platforms. “They prefer to nest in open areas to protect their nests from ground predators, often making the nests highly visible to humans, which is great for monitoring the population,” said Manrique. Volunteers have been trained and all slots are filled for this season, with plans to open up again for next year’s nesting season. Please watch or photograph osprey nests from a distance and report threats to sccfospreys@gmail.com. Learn more at sccf.org/osprey-monitoring
On Saturday, Dec. 20, SCCF staff and volunteers recorded 8,720 individual birds from 95 different species on Sanibel and Captiva as part of our islands’ contribution to the National Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count, which took place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, 2026. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is one of the longest-running citizen science efforts in the world. SCCF and island conservation partners, including the Sanibel Captiva Audubon Society and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, have collaborated on the Sanibel-Captiva CBC for over 60 years. This year, 114 participants took part in the Sanibel-Captiva count, compared to 107 in 2024 and 95 in 2023.
On Jan. 14, we held our first volunteer training for SCCF’s new osprey monitoring program following the transfer of The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF)’s mission to SCCF this month. Osprey nesting season in South Florida begins in late fall and lasts through mid to late spring. This year, new and existing TIOF/SCCF volunteers will be monitoring 197 osprey nests across Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and Pine Island. “The status of these nests vary, some of them being new platforms, some being inactive in recent years, and some that were successful last season,” said SCCF Osprey Program Coordinator Amanda Manrique. “We also hope to expand our monitoring to North Captiva this season.” During the training, staff and seasoned TIOF volunteers covered the ins and outs of monitoring osprey nests, from recognizing the most subtle signs of nesting behavior and how to detect the presence of chicks, to differentiating adults and juveniles, to recording the most accurate data.
The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF) and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) are proud to announce an exciting new chapter in their shared commitment to conservation: the official transfer of The International Osprey Foundation’s mission to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. This milestone brings together two respected organizations united by common values, complementary strengths, and a deep dedication to protecting wildlife and inspiring environmental stewardship. Effective Jan. 1, the mission and enduring legacy of The International Osprey Foundation will live on and grow under the umbrella of SCCF. Through this transfer, SCCF will proudly carry forward TIOF’s internationally recognized leadership in osprey nest monitoring, nesting habitat restoration, education, and conservation — ensuring that this important work not only continues, but thrives as part of SCCF’s broader conservation, science, and education efforts.
SCCF Takes on Mission of The International Osprey Foundation The International Osprey Foundation (TIOF) and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) are proud to announce an exciting new chapter in their shared commitment to conservation: the official transfer of TIOF’s mission to SCCF. This milestone brings together two respected organizations united by common values, complementary strengths, and a deep dedication to protecting wildlife and inspiring environmental stewardship. Effective Jan. 1, the mission and enduring legacy of The International Osprey Foundation will live on and grow under the umbrella of SCCF. Through this transfer, SCCF will proudly carry forward TIOF’s internationally recognized leadership in osprey nest monitoring, education, nesting habitat restoration, and conservation — ensuring that this important work not only continues, but thrives as part of SCCF’s broader conservation, science, and education efforts. “This marks a moment of celebration and optimism for the future of osprey conservation,” said Kathryn Brintnall, President of The International Osprey Foundation. “By joining SCCF, we are securing a strong and sustainable home for TIOF’s mission. Together, we can expand our reach, deepen our impact, and ensure that the work so many have supported over the years continues to protect ospreys for generations to come.” As part of this shift, SCCF will assume stewardship of TIOF’s ongoing initiatives, long-standing data sets, and educational resources, ensuring continuity, accessibility, and new opportunities for collaboration. As TIOF relinquishes its official nonprofit status, its supporters can be confident that their passion and commitment will continue to be reflected in SCCF’s expanded programming and shared vision for conservation. “SCCF is excited to welcome The International Osprey Foundation’s mission, programs, and community into our organization,” said SCCF CEO James Evans. “Ospreys are powerful symbols of environmental health, and TIOF’s work beautifully complements SCCF’s integrated approach to conservation science, policy, and education. This partnership strengthens our ability to protect wildlife, advance science, and connect people to the natural world.” Read Press Release Here
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Pedro Lopez, a previous TIOF grant recipient, has provided an excellent video from the environmental organization BIOS CV depicting the cross-fostering of a juvenile osprey in Boa Vista in the Cape Verde Islands. Z24 was severely injured due to sibling aggression by its older and larger nestmates. Brood reduction, mediated by sibling aggression, is quite common in the Boa Vista osprey population. To aid in his survival, the near-fledging Z24, at 7 weeks old, was placed into another nest for a cross-fostering attempt. Typically, cross-fostering is done into nests with other nestlings but this was the first time that a near fledgling osprey had been transferred to a nest without nestlings. Watch the video of the successful cross-fostering of Z24!