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Show D2 Wednesday, May 25. 2005 Community Calendar Expressions Life Basm Pandion haliaetus, or Osprey, in its habitat near the water. Photo courtesy cour-tesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.. Ideal home for ospreys - v 1 By Carissa Macee Express Writer Steinaker State Park is now home to more than just an abundance of fish. - In 2003 an Osprey nest was constructed at the North end of the lake, which at that time was ,The as com pleted by Nathan Barnhurst in order to earn Buoy marks the area closed off at the north end of his Eagle Scout Steinaker reservoir in protection of the osprey nest. Award, with the Boaters are asked to stay at least 100 yards away help of Moon from the nest. Lake Electric, who donated the pole and auger to dig deep enough to make the nest sturdy. And sturdy it is, withstanding the test of high winds, winter and rain storms, as well as the rise in water levels of the lake itself. The summer of 2004 brought no osprey inhabitants to the bird mansion and disappointment disappoint-ment was felt by a few involved, but the hope of next year bringing bring-ing better success was still ahead. Just as spring came, warmer weather snuck in, the waters of Steinaker raised to the point of the nest now being well into the water, and a pair of ospreys began to make their home. Sticks and debris, gathered by the nest's residents, began to pile up on the platform of the constructed nest and the ospreys are beginning to call it home. The nest should make an ideal place for the birds to hatch their young with a special spe-cial wire mesh bottom in order to 'clear out the clutter' every so often. "Osprey mothers will shake the nest periodically to remove the debris that has gathered in the bottom of the nest," said Curt Sinclear, Park Manager at Steinaker State Park. "We have also placed buoys to keep boaters from coming within 100 yards of the nest just to protect the area even further." Sinclear also stated that usually usu-ally the ospreys will prepare the nest for one season, then return the next year to produce their young. The Osprey is a large narrow-winged hawk that flies on flat wings that have a distinct dis-tinct kink at the elbow. While identifying the birds, look for tapering wings to a rounded tip and a short hooked beak. They have a white cap,. dark brown eye line broadening behind the eye, 'dark brown nape, back and upper-wings, under-wings are prominently white along with the throat, breast, chin and belly. They have a brown tail with a number of white bands. Typically the bird's length is 22 inches with a wingspan of 54 inches. The North American Osprey, whose species name is derived from the Greek word 'hals', or salt and sea, and 'aetos', or eagle. The osprey is the only bird of prey that feeds exclusively exclu-sively on live fish. Ospreys are wonderful indicators indi-cators of the status of the aquatic aquat-ic environment. They are situated situ-ated at the top of the aquatic food chain so they are good at detecting habitat destruction, dwindling fish populations and the contamination of their environment. envi-ronment. A good example of their 'intuition' 'intu-ition' was in the Chesapeake Bay area during the 1960s. Once a very prominent species, the number of ospreys began to dwindle due to the wide spread use of pesticides such as DDT. The pesticides caused the birds to lay eggs with extremely thin shells resulting in lower hatch rates. With the ban on DDT in 1972 osprey numbers began to rebound and today they are a common sight in the Bay region. North American ospreys are migratory birds so they overwinter over-winter in South America. They are as familiar with tropical rainforests as they are with northern lakes. The birds normally nor-mally make their homes in shallow water lakes and riv ers with conspicuous nests on tall structures such as channel markers and duck blinds to pro tect their young, and to be near their food supply. Ospreys usually mate for life with March bringing in a five month period of partnership to raise the young. Females lay three to four eggs by late spring and rely on the size and bulk of their nest to conserve heat Osprey eggs incubate for about five weeks and, upon hatching, the chicks become fliers within eight weeks. Males do the foraging by soaring over the water, scanning scan-ning for surface schooling or spawning fish. Once they spot their prey they fold their wings and descend quickly, entering the water feet first to grab their prey. If the osprey has made his catch, he then flies off adjusting the fish in its claws so the head is facing forward. The nest at Steinaker is cur- r & T '4 1 0mrT,'J!ftm '"" f""'l"m ' ! TT U nmtfftm. -,usjr u-oissKvr vs :-- j. - r t r 1 ((f TiTti -' ' ------l i j, iiitr i innrnnr wrrmiiiiii i iTinninrri -ntriTiwriv Steinaker State Park's osprey nest constructed by Nathan Barnhurst for an Eagle Scout project. ' " ' ' .A sZ . X5?W Female and male osprey make the Steinaker nest their home. rently the residences of two ospreys, more than likely a male and a female, who will make this their home for years to come, adding more natural beauty to a place displaying nature's best "We are looking forward to having a safe boating season this year and with the high water, fishermen and boaters need to be aware of some newly closed areas and areas of danger. dan-ger. The nesting area at the north end of the lake is just one of them," said Curt Sinclear. A few other areas of interest inter-est for spotting the predatory osprey include Cart Creek Bridge over Flaming Gorge and numerous nests are visible on Flaming Gorge reservoir and the Green River, where fishing opportunities are plentiful. May 25 The Golden Age Center will be holding Swing and Polka dancing classes every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Seniors 65 and older are free. Individuals under 65 are $5. Summer Remediation at Vernal Junior High may be what your student needs. Summer Remediation will begin on May 30 offering various classes such as Earth Systems, English, Geography and Pre-Algebra. The cost per class is $75. To enroll or for more information contact Michelle Allen at 781-3130 ext. 2237. Juried art show held at Western Heritage Museum May 25 thru June 24. May 27 Uintah High School will hold its 2005 commencement May 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the UHS stadium. Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8-10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides pro-vides the music. May 31 Need to get your pet fixed? Uintah-Duchesne County Super Fix will begin May 31 and run through June 11. Participating Veterinarians include: Ashley Valley Animal Hospital, Basin Veterinary Clinic, Countryside Veterinary Clinic and Uinta Veterinary Services. Cat Neuter-$25, Cat Spay-$35; Dog Neuter-$45, Dog Spay-$55. Call vets listed or 1-866-PETS-FTX or visit www.utahpets.org. June 1 AVMC Diabetes Support Group will be hosting guest speaker Joyce Buhler, registered reg-istered Dietician, discussing discuss-ing practical carb counting. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month in the conference room on ground floor of Medical Office Building adjoining the east side of AVMC. Story Time at A Uintah County Library every Wednesday 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friends of the Library at Uintah County Library Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. Friends of the Library Logo Contest June 1-July 1. Create a logo and win a free gift basket. bas-ket. The basket will include the newest Harry Potter book. All entrees must be returned to the library no later than July 1. Pick up your entry form at the desk at Uintah County Library. Director Taunia Wheeler and the Powerhouse dancers present The Cinderella Ballet, June 1, 3 and 4. USH auditorium auditori-um at 7 p.m. Free admission. June 3 American Cancer Society Relay for Life will begin Friday, June 3 with the Survivor Reception beginning at 5 p.m. Opening ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. with the luminary ceremony starting at 9:30 p.m. and fireworks following. fol-lowing. Closing ceremonies will be Saturday at 12 p.m. Community dance at the Golden Age Center, 155 South 100 West from 8-10 p.m. every Friday night. Kay's Band provides pro-vides the music. Lane Frost Challenge at Western Park at 8 p.m. Over 80 Champion Bull Riders will be present. Tickets on sale at Smith's, IFA for $12 general admission, $18 reserved west-side west-side and children under 10 are $6. Cinderella Ballet presented by Director Taunia Wheeler and the Powerhouse Dancers at UHS auditorium, 7 p.m. Free admission. June 4 Cinderella Bailey presented by Director Taunia Wheeler and the Powerhouse Dancers at UHS auditorium, 7 p.m. Free admission. Kids Stampede will be Saturday at 12 noon, with games, prizes, muttin' bustin', autograph possibilities and admission is free. The Lane Frost Challenge Fan Fest will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday evening. IFA for $12 general admission, $18 reserved west-side west-side and children under 10 are $6. To place items of public interest in the Community Calendar call 789-3511, email them to editortfivernal.com or fax them to 789-8690. |