(Undated)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources continues to monitor osprey nesting activity throughout the state. Osprey experienced population declines in the mid-20th Century. The Iowa DNR implemented an Osprey restoration program in 1997 which involved translocating young birds from Minnesota and Wisconsin to strategic locations across Iowa. The last year that birds were released was 2016.
The DNR says there are three main areas in the state where Osprey have become well established. Those include the Iowa City to Waterloo corridor, Des Moines and vicinity and Spirit Lake and vicinity. There are also two nesting pairs south of Sioux City.
Monitoring of nest sites is done by volunteers. 50 nests were monitored during the 2024 nesting season. Of those, the DNR says 39 were active and 11 were inactive. Seven new nests were reported. Of the 39 active nests, 25 were successful, meaning at least one young survived to fledgling. 5 were reported as failed while 9 had no outcome reported.
