Your sad story “Where are the birds?” verified what we have seen on the West Branch this year. While there were some ospreys this Spring, they disappeared by mid-summer. 

My family is fortunate to have had an expansive view of the West Branch from our house for many years. We can’t help but think that this tragedy is related to the cormorants which began to proliferate in recent years. Some 50 years ago, I had never seen one on the river, but once they began coming here, their numbers grew rapidly.  In the last several years, hundreds of them have repeatedly gathered up and herded bait fish into the marshes and shores where they proceeded to feast. 

We have been worried about the “cormorant onslaught”  but felt helpless to do anything about it. This year, we can’t help but think the Ospreys’ problems are related to the cormorants’ past feeding habits. Interestingly, there are few of them on the river this year — presumably also due to the lack of food.

I hope there is something that the WRWA can figure out to solve this problem. It has been such a pleasure to see the Ospreys rebound — at least until this year.

Sue Esty

Westport