Hi MDOSPREYERS,

I have a possible update and lead on the Maryland origin of the Osprey in
the Dominican Republic.  The bird was called a lost peregrine, but as
Steve Huey mentioned the size of the band seemed more like an Osprey.
The prefix of a band which is a 2 to 4 digit number always ends in the
size of the band so it  was a size 8, a size used to band Osprey.  No
wonder the "peregrine" would not eat.  If they were offering it birds,
rodents or any meat other than fish it would not recognize it as a meal.

As far as I know the when the Bird Banding Laboratory issues bands to
Master Banders, the prefixes are not specific to each bander.  However
the prefix 788 happens to be one from a series that my Master was issued
and he has banded Osprey on the Potomac and Pautxent Rivers for years.
So perhaps the DR bird is one he banded.  I have forwarded the band
number to him so he can look it up in has file.  Once I hear I will give
an update.

Naturally,
Mike Callahan
Laurel, Howard County Maryland

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