by: Larissa Smith, Senior Biologist
2022 was a banner year for NJ’s nesting eagles. A record high of 250 pairs were active with 335 young eagles fledging. The 2022 Annual Eagle Report will be posted after it is officially released by the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program.
The 2023 eagle nesting season is off to a good start with five pairs of eagles already incubating. The earliest started on December 22nd, 2022. You can get a close up and personal look at an eagles nest with NJ’s two eagle cams. The Duke Farms eagle pair have been busy preparing their nest. Last season they laid their first egg on January 17th. The Three Bridges eagle cam is up and running and the pair has been hanging out at the platform even copulating. Last season the pair used a nest in a tree instead of the platform. So we don’t know which nest they pair will decide to use this season, but it should be interesting.
This is a great time of year to see eagles throughout New Jersey. Not only are NJ’s nesting pairs around there are also wintering eagles and young eagles that aren’t yet nesting.
If you want to learn more about eagles check out two upcoming eagle festivals:
Meadowlands Eagle Festival January 15th
Cumberland County Eagle Festival February 4th
CWF will have a table at both and we look forward to seeing you there.
