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Osprey have rebounded from DDT and other industrial toxins across North America so the numbers of these charismatic raptors are above their pre-pesticide populations. However, in the Intermountain West, a new threat has emerged: baling twine. Used by farmers to secure hay and alfalfa harvests, discarded remnants of the bright orange plastic are attractive to osprey and often lines their nests. Adult Osprey tangled in baling twine may be unable to fly and trapped in their nest (or stuck dangling from the nest) or can slowly lose toes, legs or a wings due to cut-off circulation. When the chicks are tangled, they are less able to move around in the nest, which means they are unable to get to food their parents bring back, and they can slowly be outcompeted by their larger siblings and starve. Owl Research Institute and other organizations are raising awareness with farmers and local conservation groups and communities for cleanup but more outreach needs to be done.
