Welcome to Discover Fort Monroe.

Fort Monroe is a hotspot for bird watchers and this week we're going to discover Ospreys.

February is an important month for Ospreys for two reasons.

One, they make their expected return from South and Central America back to the Chesapeake region.

Two Tidewater Wildlife Rescue recently came out and completed a conservation project to help aid these amazing raptors.

Ospreys, as we know them today, have evolved very little from their split with eagles and hawks tens of millions of years ago.

And you might be thinking, how involved can this bird really be then?

Very.

Ospreys have this ability.

When they dive for fish to rotate, they're adapted talons for a better grip on the fish.

And while they're underwater, their nostrils shut.

And when they come back out of the water, the water sheds right off of them, thanks to their oily feathers, like a duck.

But wait, there's more!

Ospreys can also rotate the fish, so that way it's in line with their body for better aerodynamics.

Before I nerd out too much, let me leave you with just two more facts.

Ospreys migrate to South and Central America between August and September, traveling four to 5500 miles in just 3 to 4 weeks.

Around February, they return back to the Chesapeake Bay area.

Excuse me.

I'm trying to film here.

Rude.

Where was I?

They returned back to the Chesapeake Bay area.

The Chesapeake Bay region provides them the habitat and food needs.

As we approach the end of February.

We welcome back these amazing and interrupting creatures.

Ospreys mate for life, and they return to the Chesapeake Bay region in the spring to build their nest and raise their chicks.

Unfortunately, they don't always choose the best spot.

What's in front of me is the remains of a nest that blew down several times last year due to insufficient support.

The way this telephone pole is set up is kind of awkward for them, but that's where Tidewater Wildlife Rescue comes in.

They're an amazing volunteer organization that assist injured and orphaned wildlife.

Recently, their volunteers, Jean and Josh, built a new nest box.

This nest box provides a much better platform for the Ospreys to build their nest on.

Being more structurally sound, it helps protect against any heavy winds or storms coming in the future.

It also features a little perch spot, so that way the Ospreys can protect it from predators.

Thank you.

Tidewater Wildlife Rescue and their volunteers, Jeanne and Josh.

If you want to learn more, make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Tidewater Wildlife Rescue If you find injured or orphaned wildlife, please make sure to call the number on the screen and send photos, videos and your contact information right away.