A Silver Lining

It is the kind of good news that comes along very seldom, say once every 25 years. In fact it was exactly a quarter of a century ago that the Federal Government banned the pesticide DDT.

DDT, as many will remember, almost wiped out the osprey population in the years following World War II, causing the birds to lay thin-shelled eggs that did not survive incubation. By the time the connection was recognized, fewer than a dozen breeding pairs remained in New York State - all of them here on Long Island.

Celebrating the silver anniversary of the nationwide ban, which was bitterly opposed by the chemical and agricultural industries, environmentalists had some encouraging numbers to report this week. At last count, 305 breeding pairs of ospreys were counted in New York, not just on the Island but throughout the state. The nation's symbol, the bald eagle, has multiplied almost thirtyfold, as has another formerly imperiled bird of prey, the peregrine falcon.

Residents of the South Fork, who still live close to nature, will be delighted but probably not surprised to hear of the resurgence of the osprey. The statistics confirm what our eyes tell us: The fish hawk is back in our midst. If you doubt it, call the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Riverhead and make a reservation for one of its osprey-observation cruises around Gardiner's Island this week.