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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Osprey in North Idaho

North Idaho has the largest nesting population of osprey in the Western U.S. -- about 200 pairs. Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, banded nestlings on Saturday, July 13, 2013. Melquist has been involved in long-running research on the population, something to the tune of 25 years. He was also involved in translocation of young birds to re-establish populations in South Dakota along the Missouri River.

A juvenile osprey sits in its nest above Lake Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

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Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, removes a juvenile opsrey from a nest on Lake Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, July 13, 2013. He was banding nestlings as part of a long-running research on the population of osprey.

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A juvenile osprey is secured for banding by Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, on Lake Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


A juvenile osprey is banded by Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, on Lake Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


An osprey takes off from its nest above Lake Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

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An osprey flies over Hauser Lake carrying a fish on Monday, July 15, 2013. The osprey’s outer talon is reversible, allowing it to turn the fish to a more aerodynamic position.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


An osprey flies over Hauser Lake carrying a fish on Monday, July 15, 2013.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo

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