Michigan Osprey has monitored nests in several areas of southeastern Michigan; and are hoping to expand the effort throughout the Lower Peninsula.
Monroe County is home to one of Michigan's comeback stories — the osprey.
The large fish-hunting raptors with brown and white plumage once were listed as a threatened species because of the use of the pesticide DDT.
Thanks to many organizations that worked to save the birds, they were taken off the list in 2009.
Now, wildlife experts are looking for volunteers to help monitor their nests, which dot the Lake Erie shoreline and nearby areas.
It's incredibly important that osprey continue to be monitored closely statewide, said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Michigan Osprey has monitored nests in several areas of southeastern Michigan and the DNR and Detroit Zoo are hoping to expand the effort throughout the Lower Peninsula with the Adopt-A-Nest osprey monitoring program.
■ If there is a nesting attempt.
■ If birds are actively nesting.
■ If there are any chicks in the nest.
Binoculars are adequate for most observations, and many nests are easily viewed from public roads. They often are built atop cellphone towers or large utility poles.
One-hour training sessions will be offered at the Detroit Zoo..
The program is sponsored by MI Birds, which was created by Audubon Great Lakes and the DNR.
Those interested in adopting an osprey nest can sign up online.
For more information, contact Erin Rowan, MI Birds program associate, at (313) 820-0809.