Outdoors Maryland; 602

It's early May. Osprey stands have been tidying up after winter storm and young are just hatching out. OK we'll make this quick and we'll go up here and we'll look at the map and see what see what's going on. Oh and see if we got a little baby in the nest. Right. We got one baby chick it's about two or three days old. And then one egg. So with to start with you come on up here and let you take a look into the nest. OK. All right. Let's see how the nesting materials got sticks on the run around. Most of the nest is made out of sticks Steve cardno. Environmental education specialist Charles County Public Schools and an expert on all sprays is the guide for these fifth graders. We've got almost 20 nests in the engine creek and they can go up and visit at least 16 of those. And it's amazing to see the kids reaction when they learn that you know you can go to a nest and they won't harm the birds in any way.

And they see a bird hatching for the first time. You see if you can tell the difference between a male and a female when they start flying because the male is slightly smaller than the female. That's one way the male the male has a daughter back then the female. And also with a lot of people use there's the female has a brown actually across her chest. The male doesn't the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are Osprey and the Osprey has traditionally been abundant in the Chesapeake Bay region. There are about 100 of 2000 pairs on on the Chesapeake Bay. This is what you're going to be hoping to hear from Greg Herms. He's a park naturalist at the Patuxent River Pahar who also knows Ospreys habits well. He conducts his own climbs through the wings here which is a pretty well all of us this is so this is all most credible almost seven or less some weeks. We're just about ready to

go. There's about eight to ten thousand Osprey pairs in the 48 states in about another 10000 in Canada and Alaska. And this has always been a stronghold for our sprays even through the age of DDT and through the 1970s. Gosh. But he's managed to hang on here in the Chesapeake Bay region and still be relatively thriving as a population compared to many other states as close as New Jersey where they could almost be completely wiped out. It will get your hands down right. I know you are looking at here look at me. I hear you. Go ahead. Come right over my head down low down here. He can't reach you. He won't reach you I'm telling you that you can't you can't he can't yell at you as long as you keep your face away from me you won't get hurt or something. I'm right on my hand he's going. Don't be afraid. But I do tell the students that the Chesapeake Bay has the highest concentrations of Ospreys that nest here in any other place in the world. And that density of 2000 carries cares vast praise in this region it's higher than

any other region on earth. The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries offer a wide variety of fish to feed on relatively unpolluted water and a leg up from humans. And Osprey has prospered but this is not always been the case. But these weren't in the Bay Area in large numbers because there was too many eagles here and anybody that knows anything about Ospreys and Eagles know that eagles chase last place to get their fish from them and the two just never seem to get along with each other. They don't nest in close proximity to one another. But as the eagle suffered a decline in its population as a result of DDT the net opened up habitat for the Osprey first spray used dead trees along the shoreline as nesting sites then predators particularly raccoons threatened and they moved their nest sites out over the water to duck bowlines navigational aids lighthouses and channel young born in these nest's remember there

are overwater nesting sites and then when people started putting nesting platforms out for the birds that became the most popular nesting structure for the birds the left long way has long been known as a bird that can habitue away to humans and is found around human habitation and can still reproduce young successfully. And these are the birds that are now driving them the ones that only have artificial life. And people don't realize how efficient they really are on us for for their nest sites. If it wasn't for humans Ospreys would probably perish in Australia or die or only in their habits which might contribute to the popularity of nesting platforms. It's mighty appealing to watch these birds fishing building nests and feeding Yong's while the young are in the nest the adult males catch fish and bring them to the nets. The female picks the fish apart and feeds the young birds are more so at a time.

After they eat. She might tidy up the nest or she might bring in new sticks or litter to improve the nest the young grow quickly doubling their weight weekly. They're are sold on more than three birds in each nest. They start exercising their way and readying themselves for flight. At five to six weeks and around the seventh or eighth week they take the big plunge. It's a desperate affair. That may appear comical to the untrained. Over 50 percent of the young birds don't make it their first year. Get wondred chance for George. And then after that they have an eighty five or eighty five percent chance of survival from from one to two years and two years on. We get bad. As the waters cool the adults and the juveniles begin their annual migration.

A 2000 mile flight to South America the first year Ospreys will stay for two or three years for the rest returned to the Chesapeake Bay and their nesting sites in March ready for breeding season. There's been a slight decline in the number of nests in the main portion of the bay but a big increase in the number of deaths on the tributaries. Now this might have two reasons. Number of people putting up nesting platforms for the birds and these tributaries are increasing. And also there's a wider variety of food to feed on in the tributaries. It's 22 cardno and Kernes banned birds in late June when they are seven to eight weeks old and almost ready to fledge in nests of three young or more. They take one for shipment to Pennsylvania and Ohio where programs to reintroduce Ospreys are underway. They long to fly on their own up there they're given a fresh diet of trout and other goodies that are

caught in the waters up there. And then the areas is imprinted on them. The job of collecting and banding is tricky. But seeing these magnificent Raptors at close range is worth the risk. Today these birds are valuable natural commodities but headed away from the bountiful waters of the Chesapeake Bay toward Ohio with the hope that they'll repopulate the shorelines of North America. One can only wonder if these birds will remember the Chesapeake paradise they are leaving. Memories that include a safe secure nest on a platform. Looking out over a sparkling tributary teeming with Chad. Men hate. The skirl of bagpipes. The Katar of a thousand bicycles. Haverty

Grace awakens to the start of the eighth annual cycle across Maryland bike tour. Following a route marked by a series of arrows. The cyclists embark on a six day journey that will take them 350 miles around the heart of Maryland. Through rolling countryside. Small towns and historic sites. Cycling allows you to have time to think. It gives you a chance to see things. It's a vacation on your bike. Basically participants of the tour range in age from 9 to 83. And come from 28 states and the District of Columbia. Their vehicles are as varied as the cyclists themselves. That is different about this bike than other bikes is obviously I'm sort of lying down or sitting down. It's very much like a lawn chair on wheels. It's just enormously complicated ride.

Have. To. Work get out of his way of breaking are breaking coming from the person in the back with. A. Stoker. Like the starter in the train. The dog makes the train go faster. At 15 and a half mile mark. The cyclist crossover can one go down one of the largest hydro electric plants in the nation up ahead just outside of rising. Song is one of Cecil county's best kept secrets. Plumpton Park Zoo and its menagerie of unique animals from around the world. Rest stops like the one at the zoo occur every 25 miles offering the cyclists a chance to refill their water bottles replenish lost energy. Six days over. Make

a few repairs and reflect on the day's adventure. Oh I just love the peace and quiet of getting out getting out in the road and getting out in your own thoughts getting out nature. I don't mind a whoosh of traffic in fact I find it very soothing to me. At the 40 mile mark. The cyclists cross the border into the Amish country of Pennsylvania. And it's back home to Maryland on a Iraq that is replete with rolling scenery steep inclines and exhilarating downhills. We've had some pretty good hills in the last last 20 or so miles. It's stretching us out a bit but it's giving us a fine challenge. Some of the hills have been pretty aggressive. Just shy of the mountains I would say it's been pretty good. It's enjoyable. My wife and I were walking up this very steep hill when I ran out of the bike. We had a flat tire.

This is our second flat for the day. I've used up my spare to start patching them. After a long day of pedaling the saddle sore cyclists pull into North Hartford high school to recuperate. They build with a five letter word. Agony. It was great. I'm probably gonna go to the shower. And will take one hot shower for. When. I'm. Gone. The solitude and serenity of a glorious day. Time to relax and savor the beauty of nature. The joy of cycling.

In. One. Mile One sixty one. A second crossing into Pennsylvania through the battlefields of monuments of historic Gettysburg. In. After three days of cycling the strain is beginning to show. And three ego at rest up. Number three a couple riders are awaiting medical attention from the American Association of bike medics volunteering here at the camp. Of what we've been trained is a lot of needs a lot of ankles and a lot wrapping a lot of ice a lot of

Advil turn up a lot of abrasions. But everybody is pretty healthy here. Back in Maryland the cyclists stop in town for lunch at historic Antrim and a look at a turn of the century velocipede. Further down the road is a link or wine sellers one of Maryland's finest vineyards. After Credlin 100 miles in a single day. The weary cyclists reach Silver Spring. A chance to cool down with snow cones and relax with old Powles and new friends.

Day six Essex after prevalent 310 miles. The cyclists are beginning to feel pretty good about themselves not only for having stayed the course but also from the knowledge that part of the proceeds from the tour will be used to support Kammas bicycling mentor program and to purchase helmets for elementary school children. The finish line is almost in sight but first a leisurely passage to gunpowder Falls State Park. And the Jerricho covered bridge. After five days of cycling and sightseeing the tour has almost gone full cycle. Returning back to Harford County word began through the Aberdeen Proving Grounds and across the 350 mile finish line at a Hartford community college. Going in on the last day is just great.

Of course we're all tired very sore. No I want to go home at this point but it was just it was a lot of fun. Well the whole experience was definitely a challenge. It was tough enough for me from the start. But the days when it came to be fun. And finish and it is good way to accomplish. I can't wait to see everybody all my friends and family come out to the finish line knowing that this will be my second Cantore and I'm looking forward to next year. You mean to me want to got away. I don't want to hear about right this Fisher story is true. You can verify that the top did just it is only about seven years or eight years old that time. One day we were out just in. He made it into a big one and I could tell how big of a weight was put on and he got it in fairly close to a boat and I realized then that I didn't have the landing net. And I told him I said work that fish

over here on this side and I'll be going to play like the Bassmasters when he got him over putting the finger right down his mouth and pulling up of water like you see on television. And I just went to reach down to put my finger in his mouth and it flipped then off when actually it was a big one I'd say probably maybe 15 16 inches long. Well really hurt may I almost cried but it happened just didn't say when I looked up and he said don't worry about that Pat. He said you had bigger ones and that will catch you never side. They did me that my first post and Trapper I went on the clip over my groin problems. When. I got my girls I didn't touch nothing. So. Back when I was about six years old we didn't have fishing poles show all the way. Up the path and over the ridge where my dad would cut to. Cut a stick about six or eight long and said Tie a string on the end of it and put a ball and a hook on it and we go over it shut on a big rock and. Flip that hole

out. And that was my first remember fishing. And since then I've been. Hooked on that phase. We started volunteering here what 1993 money to any two. We try to do it right. And these guys here are all good carpenters electricians and. Painters trash pick ups plumbers a little bit of everything in this business are what we enjoy. We decide that we used the parks facilities for the mall 15 and 20 years maybe it was time to donate back to them. I call yourself the hallmark crew when your state cares enough to send the very best. So that's the way I figure about us. So. Usually we show up on Monday morning air show. You Some of us call us Monday morning and fail. Every year the first Saturday of June the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosts the governor's youth fishing derby at Raqi gap State Park.

Rain or shine. The. Key to success is the dedication of Rocky Gap State Park volunteers like the monday morning crew. You can count on them to show up where the fish do or not. This is the second rodeo that I worked last year. The first one I came out I really enjoyed it. Most of the volunteers were here helped out with the kids giving him out Raud getting bait. That was some incentive they give to him. From the perspective of park and state officials the fishing derby offers kids alternatives to drugs and the streets one time and take them with the other guy. OK now to get all of this from the perspective of the Monday morning crew it's a chance to pass on the love and lore of

fishing right there. We'll take you there. A look at that. By 9 a.m. the fishing families begin to arrive. All of a sudden they all come in all at one time it's like you know where they all come from. And then everybody scatters and then they do their fashion economy and around help out if a kid gets on line caught real bad you can replace the rod. But it all works out real good and the kids have a good time. I think they really enjoy themselves and the parents don't have to worry about them they're in good hands while they're out here like they are. The ones. Who. Are just heard for many and Girl Scout troop number 179. This will be the very first fishing trip ever.

Exactly the kind of defining experience Derby organizers had hoped for. I mean we all know what your sign your name you're all about finding your name you get. Your attention on a case you get a big fish on there. Now comes the essence of fishing for experienced and first timers alike. Watch and wait. I don't know exactly what would be the best tip is patience. My wife out there she is me. She stays in the same spot. Should I run up and down the bank and catch it. Definitely does she. She stands in that one place and she finally gets a face

to bite. By. The way he's he's active in sports he plays football he's in the football league he's in the little league baseball. But yet when summertime comes and he's Mundy's he wants to go with pap to come to the gap and we all get together real good. I used to get the scores to get a fresh properly and get it next month. Just keep on trying. I'd love to see everybody get a fish or big or small. I'd like to see him get one. More. I'm. All. For Girl Scout troop number one 79. The biggest strike of all.

Beginner's luck. Thanks. For. That. I'm surprised he just got caught. Wow. That's one thing I guess we can hope for today that

this will be an experience for. Some young people that we don't we're back will be their first day of fishing and maybe they'll catch on. Maybe they will maybe one day we can help. It sure will be nice. Yes. It's. Us. In. This.

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