This week, in our James River Spotlight, we’re turning our eyes to the sky and focusing on an incredible group of wildlife that depends on the health of our river: raptors. While we often think of clean water as a human need, for drinking, recreation, and agriculture, it’s just as critical for the wildlife that lives in and around the James River. From fish to forests, the entire ecosystem relies on clean, flowing water, and for raptors like eagles, hawks, and ospreys, that means a steady food supply and safe nesting grounds. A healthy river supports them, and in turn, these powerful birds help keep the ecosystem in balance.
Did you know that…
The osprey is one of the most widespread birds of prey on the planet, found on every continent except Antarctica? These incredible raptors return to the James River each spring after an epic migration from their wintering grounds in South America. With their bold white and brown feathers, intense yellow eyes, and unmatched fishing skills, ospreys are a familiar and thrilling sight along Richmond’s waterways. The river’s plentiful fish make it a perfect place for them to nest and raise their young.
Ospreys are also considered an indicator species, meaning their presence reflects the overall health of the ecosystem. In the Chesapeake Bay region, including the James River, they face growing threats from habitat loss, limited access to fish, and toxic contaminants entering the water. Since ospreys rely on tidal areas to nest and hunt, shoreline development can destroy or disrupt these critical habitats. When fish populations decline, it becomes harder for adult ospreys to feed their young. Toxic pollutants, which accumulate up the food chain, can also interfere with their health and ability to reproduce.
Protecting ospreys starts with protecting the river, and that means we all have a role to play. Here are a few simple ways you can help reduce harmful pollutants and support healthy habitats:
- Use non-toxic pesticides and chemical-free cleaning products to keep toxic substances out of the water. Take the pledge to become a River Hero Home and take a step towards a cleaner James River.
- Dispose of paint, motor oil, and other hazardous household materials through proper, legal methods.
- Return unused medications to a certified drug take-back location instead of flushing them. Virginia’s statewide Drug Take-Back Day, part of the U.S. DEA’s National Take-Back initiative, offers a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted medications at local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth. This effort not only helps prevent prescription drug abuse and accidental poisonings but also keeps harmful contaminants out of our waterways.
- Support efforts to protect shoreline habitats and maintain healthy fish populations in our waterways. Be part of The Marsh Stewards, the James River Association’s Living Shorelines volunteer program!
These small changes at home can make a big difference for ospreys—and for the health of the James River as a whole.
Your actions make a difference
In fact, we’ve already seen how conservation efforts can lead to remarkable recoveries. When the James River Association was founded in 1976, bald eagles had vanished from the river, with no known nesting pairs recorded between 1974 and 1978. Their dramatic decline was largely due to the use of the pesticide DDT, which was banned in 1972, followed by the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Since then, decades of conservation efforts have helped these iconic birds make an incredible comeback. By 2021, the James River watershed supported 352 breeding pairs, making it one of the densest bald eagle populations in North America. These majestic birds depend on large, mature trees near clean waterways for nesting, roosting, and hunting—highlighting the importance of protecting and restoring riparian forest buffers. Bald eagles aren’t alone; they share the river with ospreys and other raptors who also rely on the James each year to nest and raise their young.
To learn more about the health of the river and the progress being made to protect wildlife like raptors, visit our State of the James page—a biennial report card that tracks the ongoing efforts to bring the James River back to full health.