Osprey Flyer, Volume XXXV September/October Edition 2026
A Message from the President
As another Osprey season comes to a close, our young fledglings are beginning one of the most difficult journeys of their lives. They must learn to successfully catch enough fish to sustain themselves and build the strength they need for their first migration south.
For those of us who have watched our Chesapeake Bay Ospreys closely this season, we know it has not been an easy one.
The Virginia Osprey Foundation continues to advocate for the protection of the Atlantic menhaden—the small, nutrient-rich forage fish that are critically important to Ospreys and so many other species within the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
There is now an important opportunity for you to make your voice heard.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has opened public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 of the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. Among the options being considered is a reduction of up to 50% in the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap, as well as measures designed to better distribute harvest throughout the fishing season.
This matters.
Earlier this summer, I spoke before the ASMFC on behalf of the Virginia Osprey Foundation and asked the Commission to reduce the amount of menhaden that can be removed from the Chesapeake Bay—and to consider protecting this vital food source during the critical period when young Ospreys are learning to fish and preparing for migration.
Now it is your turn to speak.
Public comments are being accepted through October 9, 2026. We strongly encourage everyone who cares about Ospreys, the Chesapeake Bay, and the health of our entire Bay ecosystem to participate. Please see the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Public Comment schedule here. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has provided a link so that you can sign onto their document which will be submitted to ASMFC. Go to https://cbf.quorum.us/campaign/addendum2/?utm_source=action-alert&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=menhaden&utm_content=microsite
Menhaden are more than a commercial resource. They are a vital part of the Chesapeake Bay food web, supporting Ospreys, striped bass, bluefish and many other predators.
We have said it before, and we will continue to say it:
When people are aware, they care. And when they care, they act.
Please take a few minutes to submit your comments. Our Ospreys cannot speak for themselves. We can and we must!
Thank you for continuing to stand with us as we work to protect Ospreys and the Chesapeake Bay they depend upon.
Joanie Millward, President
Virginia Osprey Foundation
This edition of the Osprey Flyer is dedicated to Captain Doug Goodman, a friend and a champion for the Chesapeake Bay. Doug passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2026. Doug worked tirelessly and selflessly to advocate for our Atlantic Menhaden and our Osprey. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in Peace, Captain.
THE NEST OF HOPE • PART TWO
We are pleased to welcome back Michael Academia, Science Advisor to the Virginia Osprey Foundation, for Part Two of The Nest of Hope.
In our last issue, Michael shared the first part of this compelling story, drawing on his knowledge and experience with Ospreys and the challenges they face. We are grateful to Michael for continuing to share his expertise, observations, and passion for these remarkable birds with our readers.
Please enjoy Part Two of The Nest of Hope.
THE NEST OF HOPE • PART TWO
The Data Are In
One extraordinary observation became a season-long scientific story.
14 Fish in One Day
All season, the Nest of Hope camera gave us a front-row seat to family life: the long wait before hatching, the sudden increase in hungry mouths, and an adult pair working hard to keep their nestlings fed. Now that we've compiled the observations, the pattern is even more striking. Fish deliveries rose after the first egg hatched, and several exceptional feeding days stood well above the pair's usual pace.
Daily fish deliveries across the nesting season. Coral circles mark the six unusually high-output days, including the season high of 14 deliveries on July 13.
Was July 13 really an outlier?
The short answer is yes, but it was not the only unusually productive day. Most complete observation days clustered around five or six fish deliveries. Only six days reached eight or more, and all six occurred after the first egg hatched. July 13 remained the clear peak at 14 deliveries, but the season also included days with eight, nine, ten, and eleven fish. This pair did not produce one isolated flash of success. They repeatedly reached the extreme upper end of their own provisioning record.
Most observation days fell between three and seven fish deliveries. High-output days are shown in coral.
Menhaden powered the biggest days.
The prey data made the story even more interesting. Atlantic menhaden dominated the diet throughout the season, became more prominent on high-output days, and accounted for about 86% of deliveries on July 13. In other words, these parents' record-setting performance was closely tied to their ability to find and deliver menhaden. The Nest of Hope story is not only about exceptional birds. It is also a Chesapeake Bay food-web story.
Atlantic menhaden made up the largest share of identified prey, especially on the record-setting July 13 observation day.
The Nest of Hope lived up to its name.
The pair ultimately produced two fledglings. That result becomes more meaningful when placed beside the larger Colonial Beach monitoring dataset: 71.1% of monitored pairs produced no fledglings, while only one pair produced three fledglings. Our pair was one of just seven pairs that successfully produced two fledglings.
The Nest of Hope pair produced two fledglings. In the comparison dataset, 71.1% of monitored pairs produced none.
The record was the clue, not the conclusion. One extraordinary pair cannot explain an entire population, and these results do not mean ospreys can overcome food limitations simply by trying harder. This nest highlights meaningful differences among individuals: some pairs may be better fishers, more coordinated parents, or better able to take advantage of brief windows when prey is available.
The data answered my first question: July 13 was extraordinary, and this pair repeatedly performed at a high level. But the results opened a larger question. Why did these parents succeed when so many others did not? That is where the next chapter begins. In science, extraordinary observations do not end a story. They begin one.
About the Author
Michael Academia holds degrees in Biology and Fisheries Biology from William & Mary and Cal Poly Humboldt. He is an award-winning researcher specializing in osprey ecology, Atlantic menhaden, and Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health.
His research has been featured in The New York Times and the Chesapeake Bay Journal, and he has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on osprey conservation.
Through research, education, and outreach, Michael advances science-based conservation and stewardship of Virginia's aquatic resources.
Dates to Remember
The Virginia Osprey Foundation will be out and about this fall! Stop by and see us, learn more about our work, and talk Osprey with us!
September 19 & 20 — Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival
October 3 — Monarch Mania, Cobb Island, Maryland
November 7 & 8 — Crafts & Wine Festival at Caledon State Park
We always enjoy meeting new friends, reconnecting with familiar faces, and sharing our passion for Ospreys and conservation.
Your Support Makes Our Work Possible
Everything we do—from educational programs and community outreach to conservation, research support, advocacy, and the Virginia Osprey Festival—is made possible through the generosity of people who believe in our mission.
If you value the work of the Virginia Osprey Foundation, please consider making a donation. No gift is too small, and every gift helps us continue to be a voice for Ospreys and the habitats they depend upon.
Thank you for standing with us, supporting our work, and caring about the future of these remarkable birds.
The Virginia Osprey Foundation is dedicated to protecting Ospreys and their habitats through science, education, advocacy, and community engagement, fostering a sustainable environment where Ospreys thrive.
