Osprey Project
Conserve Wildlife Foundation plays an active role in helping to conserve and protect Ospreys in New Jersey.
How to Construct an Osprey Platform
Osprey Project
Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager, checks a nest at 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, and biologists 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.
Zoom+ Osprey nestlings have buff feather tips and an orange iris. They fledge 7-8 weeks after they hatch and migrate south in late August - early September. © Eric Sambol
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ plays an active role in helping to conserve 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, fundraising campaigns, private platform installations, 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 2007, over 50 artificial nesting platforms have been placed throughout New Jersey, most in areas where suitable habitat exists with few nesting structures. We have concentrated most of our work on Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, and Great Bays. We work very closely with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program and assist with osprey surveys and nestling banding during nesting season. To follow our work, please visit our blog: NJ Osprey Project Blog
A map depicts osprey platforms that need to be repaired or replaced near Ocean City, New Jersey. Currently, an Eagle Scout is building platforms that will be used to replace these platforms in the fall of 2010. © 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 building and constructing osprey nesting structures. We work with the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife to help manage and monitor a very large database of existing nesting structures throughout New Jersey. 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, 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
OSPREY PLATFORMS
Zoom+ Volunteers stand in front of a new osprey platform that was installed in Fortescue, NJ. © Ben Wurst
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 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, replace artificial nesting platforms for ospreys and to support our Osprey Project. For a small donation we will choose a suitable platform location, construct, transport, and install your platform. The donor will be fully involved in the process from helping to install the platform to assisting with the banding of the nestlings (if and when the platform becomes occupied).
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.
Learn More:
- Osprey information including indentification, 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
 | Osprey platform plans - 940.4KB |
| Adopt a Species - Osprey - 206.6KB |
| 2009 New Jersey Osprey Project Newsletter - 157.1KB |
In the News:
| The Sandpaper article - July 8, 2008 - 2.0MB |
| The Sandpaper article - September 17th, 2008 - 915.1KB |
Contact Us:
Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager: Email
609.628.2103
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