As a habitat land manager, you have to think of a million different things. The other day I drove past the tree remains that are shown on the adjacent photo. I stopped and looked it over, wondering if it could fall when a field worker leaned against it or was even walking past it. Or even a strong wind, which took out an entire tree about 50 yards from this location six years ago. I thought about it being a good perch for raptors. But then realized I hadn’t ever seen a raptor perch on it, so, what was its use? The next day, of course, I drove past it and saw what’s pictured in this photo. It was of some good use to this hawk. I decided we keep the tree stump.

Nail trim needed?
Conservancy field personnel captured this close-up of an osprey (Pandion haliaetus) flying overhead from a nearby perch. The photo was taken on Conservancy mitigation land associated with a managed marsh complex. In prior years, some called this species the “fish hawk.” Clearly, the claws would be useful in catching fish.… Continue Reading Nail trim needed?