The Osprey Of New Jersey –From Endangered To Comeback

By Renee A. Thomaier Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

The osprey, a raptor (bird of prey) is also known as the fish hawk, and their abundance could be spotted along the Jersey coast. With a six-foot wingspan, they soar in the skies plucking fish from the local waters. When DDT pesticides came into use, their diet of fish exposed to pesticide resulted in stunted osprey reproduction. Their eggshells were thinner, causing a decline in their numbers.

The New Jersey endangered species list reported there were less than 50 nests in the state by 1974. DDT use was banned, and the osprey numbers started to slowly increase.

Tree lines were replaced by development. The work of conservation groups erecting platforms encouraged osprey nesting in the marshy habitats. There were over 200 healthy pairs nesting there by the mid-1980s.

More than 800 platforms exist in our state with approximately 75% of osprey nests utilizing these man-made structures. The diligent efforts by The Nature Conservancy and other conservation groups, the osprey numbers in our state are thriving. In 2022, it was estimated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, that approximate- ly 733 pairs nested in our state during that time. This number is an increase of 45 new nests from the prior year 2021. While there was a total of 206 pairs that failed to produce young, there were 720 young produced from the 555 known-outcome nests throughout the state.

Weather has had an adverse impact on the nests; however, productivity has been well above what is needed to sustain the population. We can attribute the comeback of the osprey largely to conservation groups, in particular The Nature Conservancy, who, before nesting begins, repairs/replaces approximately 30 osprey platforms in southern New Jersey. This consistent upkeep of nests is vital to the ospreys and their continued success in breeding. We owe a special thanks to The Nature Conservancy for their continued efforts in helping the osprey. Visit youtu. be/wEVbPGAWuGE for a live osprey stream. I gathered the information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732244-2768.

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