Osprey Nesting Study Begins: 75% of Historic Nests Found Active in Usal Redwood ForestHigh above the salmon-bearing streams and towering redwoods of Northern California, a familiar shape wheels against the sky: the osprey, also known as the fish hawk, has returned. With piercing eyes and mighty wings, this majestic raptor is a keystone species of healthy forest ecosystems—and now, thanks to a new study by the Redwood Forest Foundation (RFF), we’re learning just how resilient these birds are.RFF is proud to announce the launch of its first Osprey Nesting Study, a focused ecological survey aimed at tracking osprey populations in the Usal Redwood Forest. The study’s early findings are encouraging: 75% of known historic nest sites are active, a strong indicator of habitat quality, prey abundance, and ecosystem recovery.Why Study Ospreys?Ospreys are among the few raptors that rely almost entirely on live fish for food, making them a powerful indicator species for watershed health. They require access to clean, fish-rich rivers and large trees or snags to build their towering stick nests, often reused year after year.Because of this, the presence of nesting ospreys can tell us a great deal about the health of riparian ecosystems, including:* Water quality and fish populations* Forest maturity and tree structure* Human disturbance or land-use impacts* In short, if ospreys are thriving, so is the forest—and that’s precisely what RFF hopes to confirm and support through this new study.A Collaborative Field EffortThe study is being conducted through a partnership between RFF staff, local wildlife biologists, and trained volunteers. Using a combination of historic nest records, GPS mapping, drone surveys, and field observations, the team identifies known nest sites and monitors activity throughout the spring and early summer nesting season.Key findings from the initial survey:•Over 30 historic nest sites were revisited across the Usal Redwood Forest.•75% of nests showed active use, with visible adult presence, fresh material additions, or confirmed chicks•Nesting pairs were often observed near restored stream zones, where salmon and steelhead runs have rebounded in recent years.These findings suggest that the Usal Forest supports not just trees, but a thriving web of wildlife—a sign that years of careful restoration and sustainable forest management are paying off.Restoring Forests, Rebuilding HabitatsThe return of active osprey nests is no accident. Since acquiring the Usal Redwood Forest in 2007, RFF has prioritized:•Watershed restoration, including creek bank stabilization and woody debris installation•Selective harvesting, preserving large snags and mature trees needed for nesting•Minimizing road sediment, improving water clarity and fish habitat•Limiting human disturbance during critical nesting seasonsBy integrating wildlife habitat protection into forest management plans, RFF ensures that biodiversity remains central to every decision. Once threatened by DDT and habitat loss, the osprey is now reestablishing its place in the redwood ecosystem—one nest at a time.What Comes NextThis year’s nesting survey is only the beginning. RFF plans to make the Osprey Nesting Study an annual monitoring project, helping track population trends and adapt management practices as needed. Additional goals include:•Creating long-term nest site maps to inform harvest planning•Installing artificial nesting platforms in suitable but treeless areas•Engaging local students and community scientists in wildlife monitoringBy building this database over time, RFF will gain invaluable insight into the forest’s ecological balance, and help ensure that birds like the osprey continue to soar over Northern California’s coast for generations to come.A Symbol of Hope and ResilienceTo see an osprey dive, wings tucked and talons outstretched, is to witness precision and grace in motion. These birds have survived pesticides, poaching, and development, returning again and again to the same nest sites, loyal to their partners and the landscapes that sustain them.Their resilience is our reminder: when we give nature the time, space, and care it needs, life returns.RFF’s Osprey Nesting Study celebrates that return—and reaffirms our mission to restore, steward, and protect the redwood forest in all its vibrant, living complexity.Learn more or support wildlife research at [Link].Because when the ospreys fly, the forest speaks—and we listen.
