Wildlife Fact:

Ospreys dive feet first when in pursuit of prey. They're specially adapted to catching fish. They have long legs, sharp hooked talons, and spicules (sharp barbs) on their feet help hold slippery fish.

Osprey Project

Conserve Wildlife Foundation plays an active role in helping to manage and protect Ospreys in New Jersey.

Videos

Slideshows
- New Jersey Osprey Project in 2011
- 2012 Osprey Project - A year in photos

Image of Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager, checks a nest inside Great Bay Blvd. Wildlife Management Area, Little Egg Harbor.

Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager, checks a nest inside Great Bay Blvd. Wildlife Management Area, Little Egg Harbor. © Bill Steiner

Historically, before the effects of DDT caused the state's osprey population to decline, over 500 osprey nests could be found along New Jersey's coastline. By 1974 only 50 nests remained. The effects of DDT in the food chain caused reproduction to fail, and habitat was lost with a burgeoning shore population that eliminated many trees and increased ground predator populations. In New Jersey the osprey was listed as endangered in 1974 by the state. Recovery began when DDT use was banned in 1968 in New Jersey. Biologists began to place young and eggs from nests where DDT was not used as heavily into nests that failed to produce young, year after year. Then they coordinated efforts to supply man-made nest platforms for the birds. These new artificial nest platforms replaced the snags and trees that were lost as the barrier islands became more developed.

Historically, before the effects of DDT caused the state's osprey population to decline, over 500 osprey nests could be found along New Jersey's coastline. By 1974 only 50 nests remained.

By 1986 the osprey population had surpassed 100 pairs, sparking the decision to upgrade their status to threatened in the state. Since that time, the Endangered and Nongame Species Program staff has worked to monitor and manage the population, tracking their nest success every year with a core group of volunteers, and censusing the population every three years. In 2006 the NJ osprey population hit a new post-DDT record of just over 400 active nests, not far below the estimated historic population of 450 to 500 nests. In 2009, 486 nesting pairs were found and in 2011 biologists decided the postpone the next aerial survey until 2013.

Image of Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery in New Jersey. The population is now estimated at being at historic levels once estimated before DDT and habitat loss decimated the population.

Zoom+ Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery in New Jersey. The population is now estimated at being at historic levels once estimated before DDT and habitat loss decimated the population. © Ben Wurst

The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ plays an active role in helping to manage and protect the statewide population of ospreys. It is our goal to help the population recover to the historic level of over 500 nesting pairs. Our Osprey Project seeks to raise private funding through donations, fund-raising campaigns, platform sponsorships, and educational presentations to help ospreys in New Jersey. We also sponsor Eagle Scouts with projects that seek to install osprey platforms along coastal areas of New Jersey.

Since 2004, we have installed over 100 nesting platforms throughout New Jersey, most in areas where suitable habitat exists with few nesting structures. We have concentrated most of our work on Barnegat Bay, Little Egg Harbor, and Great Bay. We work very closely with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program and assist with osprey surveys and nestling banding during the nesting season from April 1 - September 31.

To follow our work with ospreys, check out the New Jersey Osprey Project blog or Follow NJ Osprey Project on Facebook.

Image of Since 2006 we have installed over 50 nesting platforms for ospreys in New Jersey. We can provide maps and additional resources for individuals and Eagle Scouts wishing to construct and install osprey platforms.

Zoom+ Since 2006 we have installed over 50 nesting platforms for ospreys in New Jersey. We can provide maps and additional resources for individuals and Eagle Scouts wishing to construct and install osprey platforms. © CWF

HOW WE CAN HELP

We offer technical assistance to private consulting firms, individuals, school groups, environmental commissions, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and anyone else who is interested in constructing and installing osprey nesting structures. We've consulting with individuals and contractors throughout the United States to help identify and install or repair osprey nesting structures.

In New Jersey, we work with the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife to help manage and monitor a very large database of existing nesting structures. We can help you choose the most suitable location to place a platform so it will not negatively impact any other species that live in the coastal area of the state.

We can provide maps, platform plans (see Publications below), and in some cases an actual platform. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or if you have a question.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Volunteer

Zoom+ Volunteers stand in front of a new osprey platform that was installed in Fortescue, NJ. © Ben Wurst

Volunteers have been a very important component to the successful recovery of ospreys in New Jersey. We engage volunteers in all aspects of this conservation project. From constructing nesting platforms to installing them, we could use your help! Opportunities vary throughout the year and events occur on weekdays and weekends to help engage more people in our Osprey Project.

SPONSOR AN OSPREY PLATFORM

Do you live near suitable osprey habitat (generally any open area near water) in the coastal zone of New Jersey? Are you interested in supporting the long term recovery of ospreys in New Jersey?

If so, we can use your support! Since 2007, CWF has been collecting private donations from individuals, civic groups, organizations, and businesses to install, repair, and/or replace artificial nesting platforms for ospreys to support the New Jersey Osprey Project. For a small donation we will choose a suitable installation location and construct, transport, and install the platform. Donors are welcome and encouraged to help with all aspects of the project. Contact Ben if you'd like to sponsor an osprey platform!

ADOPT AN OSPREY PLATFORM

Each year more and more platforms become damaged or even disappear during the winter months. With this new program individuals can "adopt" an existing osprey nest platform. Your donation will make sure this platform stays in pristine condition. If it ever become damaged or needs repair, we'll be there to do the work. Contact Ben for more information.

Osprey Platform Install

Follow along while Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and two of his friends volunteer to help install an osprey platform off Long Beach Island on Barnegat Bay in 2010. Support our efforts to protect wildlife, make a donation today!

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Schedule an educational "New Jersey Osprey Project" presentation, which covers Osprey identification, life history, project history, human impacts, and surveying techniques. This is a great program for schools, civic organizations and scouting groups.

Image of An adult male osprey keeps a lookout while perched.

An adult male osprey keeps a lookout while perched. © Eric Sambol

Learn More:

Osprey information including identification, life history, habitat, and current threats
Artificial nesting platform placement guidance and information. Includes detailed information on how to select the proper location for a platform.
NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program
New Jersey Osprey Project Blog
New Jersey Osprey Project on Facebook
The International Osprey Foundation

Publications:

New:

2012 New Jersey Osprey Project Newsletter - 76.5KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. Results from the 2012 Osprey nesting survey in New Jersey. Ospreys had another great year where productivity averaged 1.81 young/active nest. 599 young were produced from 331 nesting pairs. 431 young were banded for future tracking.

Existing:

Osprey Platform Plans - 1.0MB
Placement guidelines, material list, and plans to construct a nesting platform for ospreys. Updated 12/2012

Guidelines for Maintenance at Communication Towers that Support Raptor Nests in New Jersey - 49.4KB
This publication is meant to be a guide for companies that manage and maintain communication towers in New Jersey that support raptor nests. It offers key points of contact with NJ Fish and Wildlife and CWF and offers information on what to do when you encounter an active osprey or eagle nest throughout the year.

Adopt a Species - Osprey - 206.6KB
Detailed information about Ospreys in New Jersey.

2006 New Jersey Osprey Project - 138.4KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. In 2006, the population reached 400 pairs, a post-DDT milestone, and not far from the historic estimates of over 500 pairs. The combination of abundant prey and mild weather created favorable conditions for ospreys.

2007 New Jersey Osprey Project - 113.6KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. The population has grown by 61% from 1997-2006. Good weather allowed for successful nesting this year.

2008 New Jersey Osprey Project - 210.6KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. A very strong Nor'easter hit in the middle of May, when many ospreys were incubating, but it did not cause many failures. Ospreys had another great year in 2008.

2009 New Jersey Osprey Project - 157.1KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. Aerial surveys this year found 485 nesting pairs in 2009! It was another record year for ospreys. 547 young were produced from 345 nesting pairs.

2010 New Jersey Osprey Project - 178.0KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. The osprey population had a banner year in 2010. Just over 600 young were produced and average productivity was 2 young/nest.

2011 New Jersey Osprey Project - 74.4KB
Annual newsletter that reports findings and results from the year's osprey survey. The osprey population had a banner year in 2011. 612 young were produced and average productivity was just over 2 young/nest.

Zoom+ New Jersey Osprey Project in the news! Cover of The Sandpaper, June 8th, 2011. Courtesy of The Sandpaper

In the News:

June 8th, 2011 - The SandPaper - Humans Help Ospreys Soar by Juliet Kaszas-Hoch

November 2010 Explorations eMagazine article - Return of the Osprey by Ben Wurst

November 11, 2010 - Building a bigger bird house. Shore News Today. by Marjorie Preston.

March 16th, 2009 Babeled.com: Installing Osprey Nest Platforms. by Jack Gamble

January 29th, 2009 Babeled.com: Building Osprey Nest Platforms: A step-by-step guide. by Greg Molyneux

The Sandpaper article - July 8, 2008 - 2.0MB
Read an article by Angela Anderson about our efforts to help the osprey population recover to historic levels.

The Sandpaper article - September 17, 2008 - 915.1KB
Read an article by Angela Anderson and see photos of osprey platforms that were installed in Loveladies in Fall 2008.

The Sandpaper article - November 10, 2010 - 642.4KB
An article by Angela Anderson about the record year for ospreys in 2010.

Historic Documents:

Osprey Egg Transplant Program a Success - NJ Outdoors 1974 - 987.8KB
Here is an article from the September/October edition of New Jersey Outdoors magazine in 1974 written by Pete McLain and Teddy Schubert. The article highlights the early conservation work done to help restore the endangered population of ospreys in NJ.

Ospreys: A Success Story (NJN video)

The osprey was listed as endangered in 1974 after DDT and habitat loss decimated the population. The population dropped from 450-500 nesting pairs to only 53. Since the 70s the population has rebounded to historic levels. Here is a video of the New Jersey Osprey Recovery Project.

Contact Us:

Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager: Email

609.628.2103

Find Related Info: Osprey, Raptors

Now Streaming: Osprey Cam!

Ospreys are back and our osprey cam is streaming live from Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.

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