Osprey Nesting Season at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Date: April 5, 2007
Contact: Nina Kelson, 850-934-2606

Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that the osprey nesting season on the Mississippi barrier islands is now in full swing.  Ospreys are large brown and white hawk-like birds with a six-foot wing span. They build large nests made of sticks and branches in the tops of trees and snags. They can be seen on Petit Bois, Horn, East Ship, West Ship and Cat Islands of the Seashore. 

Adult ospreys need undisturbed areas to successfully raise their young. The adult birds are easily frightened away from their nests when people approach.  Without the parents to shade the nest, the osprey eggs and chicks quickly die when exposed to the hot summer sun. “Visitors can recognize when parent osprey are trying to protect their nest,” explained Eubanks. “The adult birds will usually circle the nest, calling loudly before they leave the area.”

Known osprey nests will be marked with “Area Closed” signs for the next several months to protect the nesting birds while assisting visitors in selecting appropriate locations. The signs will be removed when the baby osprey chicks leave their nest and are ready to live on their own, usually around the end of July.  A map of the closed areas on Horn Island will be made available on the Seashore’s website at www.nps.gov/guis.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that our wildlife has an opportunity to use this natural habitat to raise their families,” said Superintendent Eubanks. “While exploring the islands, please be aware of nesting osprey.  If you encounter an unmarked nesting area you should exit by the same route you entered.”

In 2006, there were a total of fifty nests on Petit Bois, Horn and East Ship Islands. At the end of the nesting season, National Park Service biologists counted eighteen chicks that had fledged from their nests and were living on their own.  Over 130 osprey nests on the barrier islands were destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. Today, the birds are busy rebuilding their nests to lay eggs and raise their young. "We're asking all of our visitors to help us protect and allow these beautiful birds to flourish,” added Eubanks.

For additional information about Park resources and programs, please call the temporary contact station at 228-875-9057.