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

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!

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