Spring signals the return of the osprey, the iconic birds that have staged a comeback over the past few decades. Now the Island osprey population is doing so well that additional volunteers are needed to continue monitoring the species.

Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is looking for volunteers for the Martha’s Vineyard Osprey Monitoring Program. Felix Neck works with osprey researcher Rob Bierregaard and lead volunteer Dick Jennings to closely monitor the birds, who return each spring from their winter homes in the Caribbean and South America and set up their nests on osprey poles around the Island.

Last year there were 87 breeding pairs on the Vineyard, a record number. Of those, 34 nests failed for natural reasons including heavy spring rains.

Back in 1970 there were just two breeding pairs of the fish-eating hawks on the Island, their numbers reduced by use of the chemical dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and their habit of nesting on utility poles. Local naturalist Augustus (Gus) Ben David 2nd and other Vineyarders led an initiative to introduce osprey poles as safer nesting sites, and DDT was eventually banned. There are now 145 osprey poles around the Vineyard.

Mr. Jennings checks in regularly at osprey poles and other breeding sites to keep track of breeding pairs and their young. He has volunteered with the program for the last 10 years.

Osprey monitor training begins on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at Felix Neck. Registration is required; contact the sanctuary at 508-627-4850 or visit massaudubon.org/felixneck.