DENVER (KDVR) — A fledgling osprey was found hanging from a nest platform on Friday morning, having died previously, prompting officials to remind anglers against leaving items behind.
The osprey was found by the St. Vrain State Park’s Raptor Monitor, who was able to get the osprey down from where it was hanging. He learned that the osprey had swallowed “several feet” of fishing line and hooks.
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The state park said the hooks likely had fish on them, as osprey do not typically hunt or go after much beyond fish. The park also said that the bird had been hanging from the nest because the lead weight had gotten caught in nesting material, preventing the bird from finding footing on the ground or in the nest.
St. Vrain State Park, located in Weld County, was formerly called Barbour Ponds, and boasts 604 acres of land and 236 acres of water. Because of this, water-based recreation is important to the park. The park keeps its ponds stocked to provide anglers with good fishing opportunities, as well.
“We have already had several geese, herons, pelicans, turtles, severely injured or die from fishing hooks this summer,” St. Vrain State Park said on Facebook. “In this instance it also seems as though there was an unattended line with a fish (caught or used as bait).”…