Operation Osprey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Who We Are
Operation Osprey's mission is to conduct an annual Osprey nesting and population Survey in the Severn River watershed as well as Engage and Educate the public about the raptors' migratory life and behaviors. The Osprey serves as a touchstone of the health of our aquatic ecosystem.
Our Origins
Operation Osprey began when our founders, Ken Green and Tom Guay, noticed a recurring pattern while conducting water quality monitoring trips throughout the Severn River watershed. Year after year, the same osprey nests appeared along their survey routes, prompting questions about how many nests existed in the watershed, how successful they were at raising young, and how the local population compared to other osprey studies along the East Coast.
What started as simple observations during routine monitoring quickly evolved into a dedicated effort to document and understand the Severn River’s osprey population. By systematically mapping nest structures and tracking nest activity throughout the watershed, the project established the foundation for what is now Operation Osprey’s long-term monitoring program.
Today, Operation Osprey continues to build on this early work through structured data collection and research aimed at better understanding osprey populations and the health of the Severn River ecosystem.
Our Watershed and Activities
Our Watershed
Nest Steward Program
Osprey Tracking
The Severn River Watershed spans more than 80 square miles in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, ultimately flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.
Its tidal creeks and shoreline habitats support a diverse ecosystem and an important population of ospreys that rely on the watershed each breeding season.
Osprey Tracking
Nest Steward Program
Osprey Tracking
Operation Osprey uses GPS tracking technology to better understand osprey migration patterns and how the birds use the Severn River watershed. By equipping select birds with transmitters, researchers can identify migration routes and determine where ospreys are fishing locally. This data is critical as declining fish populations have been
Operation Osprey uses GPS tracking technology to better understand osprey migration patterns and how the birds use the Severn River watershed. By equipping select birds with transmitters, researchers can identify migration routes and determine where ospreys are fishing locally. This data is critical as declining fish populations have been linked to reduced nesting success and fewer chicks surviving through the breeding season.
Nest Steward Program
Nest Steward Program
Nest Steward Program
The Nest Stewards Program engages volunteers throughout the Severn River watershed to help monitor local osprey nests during the breeding season. Stewards observe designated nests and report information on occupancy, nesting activity, and chick development. These community observations provide valuable data while fostering a deeper connec
The Nest Stewards Program engages volunteers throughout the Severn River watershed to help monitor local osprey nests during the breeding season. Stewards observe designated nests and report information on occupancy, nesting activity, and chick development. These community observations provide valuable data while fostering a deeper connection between residents and the wildlife that share the watershed.