Osprey and Ducks

[3bird]

As I've been working around the duck house, I've noticed a pair of osprey flirting with building a nest next door. We've always had osprey around, but a potential nest so close is new. What are people's experience with ospreys and ducks? We have silver Appleyards that are eight weeks old. They have a fully enclosed run, but they are out most days foraging.

Thanks!

 

[GitaBooks]

From what I have heard, Osprey's diets are 90% fish and about 10% other prey (opportunistic). They have been known to go after birds, including young waterfowl, but that is not their natural talent. If they tried often enough they might succeed, and if that happened they might try again, so the most important thing is just to make sure they never get a chance to think they are an easy target. Set up plenty of shelter areas, let the grass grow tall in certain areas, trees should help as well. Keep young birds locked up during the Osprey's main hunting hours if possible.

I hope this helps! Best of luck!