Osprey Spotted!
Check out this observation by Britnet in the Greater NC Spring BioThon, she spotted this magestic raptor in Haw River, NC: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47421379
Ospreys are very distinctive fish-hawks, formerly classified with other hawks but now placed in a separate family of their own. Along coastlines, lakes, and rivers almost worldwide, the Osprey is often seen flying over the water, hovering, and then plunging feet-first to catch fish in its talons. After a successful strike, the bird rises heavily from the water and flies away, carrying the fish head-forward with its feet. They can be found near water, either fresh or salt, where large numbers of fish are present. May be most common around major coastal estuaries and salt marshes, but also regular around large lakes, reservoirs, rivers. Migrating Ospreys are sometimes seen far from water, even over the desert.
Like most raptors the Osprey was seriously endangered by effects of pesticides in mid-20th century; since DDT and related pesticides were banned in 1972, Ospreys have made a good comeback in many parts of North America.
Information gathered from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/osprey
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