Osprey and heron shot near Sisters

If fish-eating birds are capable of communicating with each other, they had best spread the word to keep away from the area near Goodrich Road and Aspen Lakes Golf Course.

An osprey was shot near there last week. Earlier, a great blue heron suffered the same fate.

Both the osprey and heron victims came to the attention of Gary and Kellie Landers, who operate a raptor rehabilitation facility near Sisters.

Kate Kenny of Sisters View Drive discovered the severely wounded osprey and called The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office in Bend, who in turn contacted the Landers who transported the injured bird to Dr. Little Liedblad at Broken Top Veterinarian Clinic east of Sisters.

Dr. Liedblad is an experienced veterinarian who is qualified to repair injured raptors and has mended several hawks and eagles over the years. The sub-adult osprey was wounded critically and was euthanized, as was the great blue heron.

The osprey’s wing joint was blown out by a shotgun blast, which indicates the area where the bird was discovered is close to where it had been shot.

Back in the 1950s, both osprey and great blue herons were often shot as a “nuisance” by hatchery personnel throughout the state. Osprey eat fish, and with such a high concentration of prey in a hatchery they did not need to travel far to capture a meal. Great blue herons, also fish-eaters, prefer smaller fish — such as young trout— that can be swallowed quickly.

Today, however, osprey and great blue herons, along with all wild birds (other than European starlings and house “English” sparrows) are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Act.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) is the domestic law that affirms, or implements, the United States’ commitment to four international conventions with Canada, Japan, Mexico and Russia for the protection of shared migratory bird resources.

The MBTA governs the taking, killing, possession, transportation, and importation of migratory birds, their eggs, parts and nests. MBTA’s regulations govern the take of all migratory birds (such as waterfowl during the fall and winter hunting season). Any federal, state, county, or city police officers can implement enforcement of MBTA laws.

In other words, a person had best obtain permission before he or she shoots a bird or puts a feather in their cap; if it is from a red-tailed hawk, eagle, warbler or an owl, arrest and a fine could be imposed.

Osprey are among the birds that make seasonal treks from north to south each spring and fall, and have strong bonding once a pair has been established. At two years of age, osprey pair up and travel north to their home nesting range to establish a territory and build a nest, but a few pairs lay no eggs; they “play house” for the first year.

It is thought the osprey found shot near Goodrich Road and Aspen Lakes was a sub-adult female searching for a new territory and mate.

Osprey banded at Crane Prairie Osprey Management Area on the Deschutes National Forest have been found wintering as far south as Volcan, Costa Rico, while others spend winter in Guatemala and Mexico.

Oregon State Police wildlife officers are investigating the fatal shootings of the osprey and great blue heron. Anyone having any information is asked to contact the OSP Bend office, 388-6300.