Rob Bierregaard, or “Dr. B,” has been studying ospreys since 1971. One summer on Martha’s Vineyard, he and his partner attach a tiny satellite to a fledgling they name Belle. They observe and monitor Belle as she learns to fly and catch fish. When she leaves on her first migratory journey at the end of the summer, they have only the transmitter to follow Belle, who flies straight over the Atlantic, getting caught in a hurricane before heading south. She stays for 1.5 years in South America before heading home, up through Florida and along the coast. Although Bierregaard had no way of knowing many of the specifics of Belle’s experiences, he’s used informed conjecture based on his knowledge of ospreys to create an engaging, highly dramatic narrative grounded in fact. The inclusion of two children, George and Ella, who met Dr. B the summer he tagged Belle and follow her journey online through the satellite transmissions, sometimes emailing him questions when they’re worried, adds another wonderful element to this informational book featuring occasional full-page and spot illustrations. (Ages 8–11)

Take flight with Belle, an osprey born on Martha's Vineyard as she learns to fly and migrates for the first time to Brazil and back--a journey of more than 8,000 miles.

Dr. B. and Dick, two osprey scientists in Massachusetts, observe ospreys and their offspring, tagging one special fledgling with a transmitter to better study migration habits. Follow Belle as she attempts her first flight, conquers her first fishing endeavour, and heads south for her first migration all while her tracking device transmits information about where's she been. Based on information garnered through twenty years of research by the author, Belle's Journey will soar into reader's hearts.