New Jersey Osprey Project

A Rare Encounter from Columbia

2012-02-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

Truth be told, ospreys are not protected in their wintering areas. In many areas they are seen as direct competitors with people for food (from the fish that they eat) or as pests at commercial fish farms in South America where they winter in large concentrations. I've herd that some fishermen shoot at them while they're on migration south over the Caribbean and Central and South America. Most band encounters from South America are not accompanied with a lot of photos and a report from a veterinarian. Really, we are lucky to get a report at all... This is one exception where an individual and a community became engaged in trying to save an osprey that originated in New Jersey.

Alberto Aguilar holds out the wings of the rescued osprey in Columbia.

This banded osprey (hatched in 2011) was encountered in Colombia recently near Cienaga del Cristo, Tamalameque, Cesar. Alberto, an environmentalist there, tried to help save this individual. He was found entangled in old fishing nets and was emaciated and dehydrated when found. He was examined by a local veterinarian and was found to be loaded with parasites, had an enlarged gall bladder, and had an ulcer on its left nictitating membrane (3rd eyelid). Unfortunately, the veterinarian was unable to save him. He was banded on July 7th on a nesting platform that is located to the north of Stone Harbor Blvd. by one of our volunteer banders, Hans Toft. Hans recalls visiting this nest:

"I remember this nest well because it is a long walk with the ladder to get to it. The nest is on the north side of Stone Harbor Blvd (175A024) and is easy to check on by car with binoculars. I am always going over to my boat in Stone Harbor anyhow . After we banded the two chicks I kept an eye on them and remember watching the two birds during the summer, and seeing them fledge. Also, the birds were eating a bluefish when we banded them. Of course, we have our problems also with fishing lines, nets, etc. good to hear that the bird will be put to good educational use." Hans

We were sent a bunch of photos of the bird and the report from the local veterinarian. From the photos you can see that this bird has already molted most of its juvenile flight and body feathers (as a juvenile they have a buff tip and as an adult they are all dark). The eye is also yellow instead of orange. It weighed a total of 1200 grams which indicates that its a male (females weight from 1600 - 2000 grams). He also is lacking the dark necklace of feathers that female ospreys develop on their breast.

Alberto and many of the locals were very excited about this rare encounter. They have decided to mount the bird and use it as a way to educate people there about old fishing nets and the need to be careful with them.

To view more photos, click here.

A photo of the osprey after it was rescued in Columbia.

This bird was banded at a nest on a
platform off of Stone Harbor Blvd
by one of our volunteers, Hans Toft.

Ospreys are on vacation, but we are not!

2011-12-03T10:05:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry for my lack in posting frequent updates to the blog. Currently ospreys are down south. All NJ birds are currently wintering in the Caribbean, Central America and N. South America. There are still a few osprey that have been seen in NJ though. All are probably birds that breed up north and winter in areas like Florida. In other news, the annual newsletter will be out next week with amazing news about how well the population did in 2011. A short summary is that production was above 2 young/active nest and 25 new nests were occupied. This puts the state population well above the estimated level before DDT and habitat loss decimated the population in the 1940s & 50s. I'll post the newsletter once its final version is finalized.

Here is a video I produced last night from a platform relocation done last winter. Enjoy!

Osprey numbers continue to rise...

2011-08-10T10:51:00.006-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything here and I apologize. I hope I don't loose any followers because of my inability to publish posts on a routine basis. As you can tell I've been busy! Not only with my work on the NJ Osprey Project, but also with conserving terrapins in the Little Egg Harbor/Great Bay area and restoring wildlife habitat around coastal NJ. Not to keep making more excuses but I also had another child (Reed Alexander) arrive 12 weeks ago, so when I tell you I've been busy, I've been busy! I'll be posting more detailed information about the results of this year's Osprey survey I begin tabulating data.

A male osprey stands guard at his nest site on Barnegat Bay. © Ben Wurst

If you would like to follow more of my work and you're on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/njospreyproject

Unexpected Outcome!

2011-05-10T10:17:00.001-04:00

New B. Bay platform gets instant use

Usually I use April 1st as a cut-off date for getting new structures installed. This was not the case with this particular platform. After several delays (mainly because of weather) we finally got it up on April 20th. John Faus donated to have the platform placed near his summer home off Harvey Cedars inside Forsythe NWR. The platform was made from 100% salvaged wood.

John Faus and the 100% salvaged wood platform on B. Bay. © Ben Wurst

John sent me some photos today that confirms that the nest is occupied and that the pair is incubating a clutch of eggs. I did not think this platform would become occupied this late in the season, especially since there are other unoccupied platforms up on B. Bay. Maybe the birds prefer platforms to be made from salvaged materials or maybe they can sense that this platform/wood was used before by other ospreys in its past life...

A female osprey sits on eggs. Photo courtesy Steve Wright.

Pre-Season Platform installs & Reducing impacts on our Environment

2011-04-08T13:15:00.004-04:00

Reusing Wood from the Atlantic City Boardwalk

It's been a busy Spring! Over the past few weeks I've been working to finish installing osprey platforms before the nesting season begins in mid-April. From Fort Monmouth to Stone Harbor, I was there. Funding for these platforms came mostly from private donors, other non-profits, and the federal government. One particular platform was made exclusively out of salvaged wood. The wood was sourced from the Atlantic City Boardwalk by a contractor, Rich Bishoff, who was passionate about finding a better use for the old wood.

I paddle across the dike while straddling the salvaged platform at Forsythe NWR. Photo courtesy Ann Marie Morrison.

I'm very passionate about reducing mine and my families impact on the environment. I also bring this philosophy with me to work. At home I recycle, reuse or re-purpose a lot of stuff; #5 plastics, all metal, e-waste, wood, and more. If you'd look in my garage you'd see what I mean... A couple of years ago when one of my best friends was going to be demolishing his old home to renovate and enlarge it, I was ready to go to work to demolish and collect salvaged materials from there. I managed to collect much of what was demolished at his house and that included a lot of knotty tongue and groove white cedar which covered his walls. I make a lot of stuff out of the salvaged wood; mostly frames to hold my photographs, mirrors, and other customs items that I occasionally sell on Etsy.

Below are photographs from all our platform installs and relocation efforts this spring. A total of 17 platforms have been moved or installed in the past 7 weeks (one more is in the planning stage and should happen next week)! Thank you to the generous donors, Becky Hedden-Atlantic Audubon, Mary Lenahan, John Studdiford, John Faus, Joe Fallon-US Army Corps, and to all the volunteers who helped me to install all of these platforms. THANK YOU!!

A platform being carefully moved across a creek on Patcong Creek in Linwood. It was relocated to a more suitable location than where it was placed. © Ben Wurst

Wetlands Institute staff helped move this platform that has never been occupied out to a location that is farther away from human disturbance. © Ben Wurst

Mary Lenahan donated to have this platform placed near Ventnor. © Ben Wurst

Out with NBC News 40 to install the salvaged platform at Forsythe NWR. Image courtesy Loralea Kirby


Installing the salvaged platform at Forsythe NWR. Image courtesy Loralea Kirby

Ed Green, Ben Wurst (blog author), Dave Flinter, Allison Anholt, and Brian Bovasso (L to R) helped install two platforms near the infamous "F" cove near Mantoloking, NJ on April 6th. Photo by Alf Breed

Workers at Fort Monmouth installed ten 40' platforms there in late March to enhance nesting habitat on the Shrewsbury River. © Ben Wurst

Ospreys in the News!

2011-04-06T08:43:00.000-04:00

Salvaged platform placed inside Forsythe NWR is made from A.C. Boardwalk!

Ospreys are back!

2011-03-21T10:01:00.000-04:00

Wrapping Up New Nest Installations and Repairs

I've gotten several reports of ospreys in southern and central New Jersey. Reports have come from Sandy Hook, Lavallette, Tuckahoe River, and I've seen an adult on a platform on Great Egg Bay. I can't wait to hear my first male osprey, their calls are unmistakable. The sharp whistles give me goosebumps! They perform courtship displays that are referred to as "sky dances" where they fly in a high undulating flight pattern, often carrying prey or nesting material. They do this to form or strengthen pair bonds to their mates. Listening to their call is my personal "sign of spring" and it's also my signal to finish up with any last minute installations and repairs before they begin to court and lay eggs.

Snags (dead trees) are approaching their life span at the Manasquan Reservoir. © Ben Wurst

As you can imagine I've had a busy March. I began the month by moving a platform in Linwood that was placed improperly. Then I met with staff at the Wetlands Institute to move another platform there that has never been occupied. Then I visited Manasquan Reservoir to inspect a nest tree that broke (where we are working on plans to install a nesting platform) and met with US Army Corps at Fort Monmouth to choose six locations to place platforms on 30' tall utility poles. Since that visit the number has grown to ten sites inside Fort Monmouth. Once all these platforms are installed around 20 nesting platforms will be available to ospreys there!! We hope it will support the growing number of pairs on the Shrewsbury River.

Uploading a platform to be installed in Ventnor. Image courtesy Mary Lenahan.

Since then I've installed two new platforms for individuals who donated to help support this project. One was installed in Ventnor and the other was installed in Linwood. Both near homes where the nests can be easily monitored for activity and in suitable habitat for ospreys. The remaining nests are slated for installation in the coming weeks. I have one that we're installing tomorrow inside Forsythe NWR because of a donation from Atlantic Audubon. The platform was made partially from salvaged wood from the A.C. Boardwalk (special thanks to Rich B. with Weatherby Corp.). The rest of the platform installs will occur on Barnegat Bay and at Fort Monmouth.

Counting Down...

2011-03-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Ospreys headed North!

In the next week some of the first adult ospreys will be arriving at nest sites throughout New Jersey. Usually, we get the first reports from nest sites along the Maurice River, where Jane Galetto and her group of dedicated volunteers with Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries monitor over 50 nesting platforms. Let me know when you first see or hear an osprey calling to announce their presence.

Repairs to the nest were performed while young were in the nest. I was there to ensure that the young were healthy and banded them at the same time. © Ben Wurst

Some recent news, we're working with Ocean City and partnering with the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association to get a grant from NJ American Water to help connect a camera that has been on a nest platform that is just north of the 9th Street Bridge (Rt. 52) into Ocean City. The camera has been up for two nesting seasons. This will be it's third. The ability to share the daily behavior and nesting activities of ospreys in New Jersey has long been an interest of mine. This will allow us to bring ospreys into homes, offices, and classrooms and will help spread awareness for this threatened species that is vulnerable to human disturbance, environmental contaminants, and lack of suitable nest sites.

Check this off my list of stuff to do...

2011-02-17T10:05:00.001-05:00

I've been wanting to move this platform for years!!

I finally got around to moving a platform at the Wetlands Institute yesterday. I had help from staff at the Institute. I believe the platform was never occupied because of its close proximity to human disturbance. It was near areas that get high use by people who visit the site in the spring and summer months. At its new location, its closer to water and farther away from humans, a perfect fit for a pair of ospreys!

I was assisted by Wetlands Institute staff, Dan McLaughlin, Phil Broder, and Kaitlin Gannon (from L to R) to help move this platform that has never been occupied. It was moved to the SE, in more suitable habitat at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, NJ. © Ben Wurst

Prepping for Another Nesting Season

2011-02-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

Adult Ospreys Begin Heading North in 2 to 4 weeks!

Volunteers with the NJ Osprey Project help install this platform that was moved to a more suitable location along Patcong Creek in Linwood, NJ. © Ben Wurst

Building an Appreciation for Ospreys!

2011-02-07T09:35:00.001-05:00

Students help install braces on the platform. © Ben Wurst

This past week I met up with approximately 25 students from the Folwell School in Mount Holly. The 4th and 5th graders chose to help ospreys by constructing an osprey nesting platform for the Disney's Planet Challenge. "DPC teaches kids about science and conservation while empowering them to make a positive impact on their communities and planet." I was very happy to work with Maria Rivera, teacher of the students, from the beginning. Constructing the platform with the students was a rare treat and I was slightly envious of them. I was thinking, if I could only say that I helped to build an osprey platform when I was 9-10 years old....

I plan on inviting the students to help me install the platform near New Gretna, in eastern Burlington County in late March.

Making It Right

2011-02-01T11:53:00.001-05:00

A Bad Installation...

Each year I am contacted by more and more individuals who find osprey nesting platforms that are placed in unsuitable habitat or in areas with high levels of disturbance. This week I was contact by Harry Cottril and his daughter Laura about this platform. In my last post, I stated that I'd be installing a platform in Linwood (where this platform is located) this winter/early spring. Harry commented on my post and was wondering if I installed it. I know just about every nest structure for ospreys in the state, many of which I've climbed to band young in late June/early July. I wasn't familiar with one at the location described by Harry. In many cases people contact me for guidance on suitable locations to install osprey platforms and I am more than happy to offer guidance to avoid these types of situations!

This platform was placed in the one of the worst locations, right next to a primitive boat ramp on Patcong Creek in Linwood, NJ. Photo courtesy Harry Cottril.

I may not have installed it, but I'm planning on moving it! I have not seen the platform firsthand, but from the photo it looks like a sound platform that was built from our plans. It's current location is at the west end of Hamilton Ave. in Linwood on Patcong Creek. The land is owned by the City of Linwood as municipal open space. The location is too close to the parking area/boat ramp on the creek.

A map of Hamilton Ave. and one osprey platform to the south of Bargaintown Lake. Courtesy Google Earth.

There is a parcel to the south that is much more suitable for ospreys. It's farther away from disturbance, the main threat to ospreys at its current location. With constant disturbance, the platform would just go un-used. In the next month we will recruit some local volunteers to help us move the platform to a more suitable location.

To help address this issue, in partnership with NJ Fish and Wildlife, we are going to amend the Osprey Nesting Platform designs to include specific instructions on the proper placement of nesting platforms.

Current Placement Guidelines (NJDFW)
Current Platform Plans (CWF)

A new year, more project areas

2011-01-03T20:07:00.000-05:00

From Oceanport to Linwood, I'll be there

I already have several new platforms that are being set for construction and installation. I've spoken with several individuals who are interested in having nesting platforms placed to help the population reach historic numbers and in areas where they can be easily observed. In Oceanport we are working with Fort Monmouth and the Army Corps of Engineers to install several more platforms there. I'll be installing some more on Barnegat Bay, an area of interest of mine. When I started working with ospreys in 2004 there were only a couple platforms there, many of which were on channel markers. I've installed over 30 from Forked River to Tuckerton in the past 4 years. Then I'll be installing another in Ventnor on municipal open space near no other platforms. Finally, my last (for now) installation will occur in Linwood out on salt marsh owned by the city.

Ice blankets a shallow creek along the D. Bay in December.

This is a good amount of platforms to install before April. With cold weather settling in and ice on the bays, I'll be stuck on land for a bit. In the meantime, I'm working on getting salvaged wood from the Atlantic City boardwalk. I'll be using this wood to construct these platforms.

Happy New Year!!

The Results Are In!!

2010-12-01T13:35:00.000-05:00

Mild weather helps boost Osprey population

This year was the most productive year for ospreys in the projects history. The reproductive rate was about 2 young per active nest (an all time high for the project). No doubt the calm weather played an important role this year. Calm weather makes prey easier for ospreys to find, especially fluke and flounder, one of their main prey sources. More food means larger broods. Nests with three, even four young were quite common this year.

An adult osprey calls to defend its offspring at a nest in Mantoloking, NJ. © Eric Sambol

Of the 308 active nests (where the outcome was known) 36% of nests had 3 young, 33% had 2 young, and 14% had one young. Only 11% observed had failed to produce young. For comparison, in 2006, 14% failed and in 2003, 46% failed. 2003 was the worst year for ospreys in recent history (to read the 2003 newsletter, click here). Weather played a large factor that year. Check out one of my previous posts for more on weather and production. To read the full results from the 2010 survey, click here.

Thank you to all our volunteers who braved the scorching heat this summer to collect data to help us manage and monitor the population! And thank you to all donors and supporters of the project! With out your support and contributions our work would not be possible!

Another Installation...

2010-11-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

Mild Weather Great for Platform Installations

This week I finally got the chance to move a platform located on an island in Little Egg Harbor. Earlier this year I mistakenly placed a new platform on private property (a small island off Brant Beach on Long Beach Island) which I thought was owned by US Fish and Wildlife Service. It was not occupied this year, but you can tell ospreys used the platform as a perch. When I performed a survey this summer, I saw one adult on the platform but no nesting material.

Well, long story short, the owner of the property didn't want the platform on his property. He believed that it would only attract gulls. I asked if we could keep it up for another year to give ospreys another chance at nesting on it. He declined and asked that we take it down. Yesterday, two friends and volunteers helped me move this platform to its new home on an island that is owned by US Fish and Wildlife Service. The (Marshelder) island is located approximately 1.3 miles to the south off of North Beach Haven.

We shot video of the installation to be used in the creation of a video tutorial to demonstrate how to properly install an osprey nesting platform. Some of it will also be used in a documentary that I will be filming over the next few years. The documentary will highlight the projects history with interviews with biologists and others who worked to restore the population of ospreys in New Jersey. It will also address the current threats (pollution from run-off, contaminants, and litter; disturbance, and climate change) to ospreys.

Volunteers Paul Petrone and Joe Bilotta stand next to a platform that was installed on an island off Brant Beach in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

Fall is for ...

2010-10-19T10:28:00.002-04:00

Platform Repairs and Installations

Fall is upon us and while ospreys are headed south or already in their wintering areas I am still keeping busy. This past Sunday I helped a Boy Scout with his Eagle Scout Project to install 4 nesting platforms. The platforms were installed near Ocean City and Somers Point. All platforms were placed on public property, state and locally owned. Two platforms were placed near duck blinds where ospreys nested in the past two years. Both nests failed to produce young. When ospreys nest on duck blinds their eggs and young are very vulnerable to predation from ground predators, like raccoons. The platforms we placed are specifically designed for ospreys and have a sleeve-type predator guards to deter predators from climbing up into the nest.

Scouts from Troop 79 help Eagle Scout Holden Gentilini raise a platform. © Ben Wurst

One of the other two platforms was used to replace an old platform that has never been used by ospreys. It was large enough but very unstable. The main pole was only a 4x4". We only use 6x6" poles for our platforms. They have been shown to withstand strong Nor'easters we get in late winter and can easily support a biologist when they climb to survey and band the young in late June each year. The last platform was installed in a new location that is close to where a local dispute has occurred over a group that installed a platform on private property. The property owner removed the platform earlier this year just as ospreys were returning to nest in early April (also the time when it is illegal to remove a nesting platform). This platform will hopefully attract that pair since it is not far away and is in my opinion in a much more suitable location away from any human disturbance.

Holden (left) finishes back-filling the hole on the final platform.

Interesting Band Recovery

2010-09-20T11:43:00.002-04:00

Juvenile flies north instead of south

Today I received notification that a young osprey I banded on June 30th in Little Egg Harbor was found dead on August 25th 5 miles NW of Chenango Forks, NY. The banding recovery data indicated that the bird was found in a homeowners property by her dog. This is not entirely uncommon for juveniles to fly north then turn around and fly south to their wintering areas. In 2009, an osprey named "Hix" that was tagged and fitted with a satelite transmitter traveled north from southern Mass. to Maine after fledging. Unfortunately, he did not survive either.

Weather & Climate

2010-09-13T15:42:00.002-04:00

How it Affects Osprey Reproduction

2003 was one of the worst year's for osprey in New Jersey. Here is an excerpt from the 2003 New Jersey Osprey Project Newsletter:

"While the statewide average production was 0.86 young per active nest, it was somewhat better in Delaware Bay nests, at 1.09, than in Atlantic Coast nests, 0.73. Productivity was depressed at all study areas, however, from Raritan Bay to Cape May to Delaware Bay. Overall, productivity was down 27% from the 1997-2002 average of 1.18 young per nest. This year it hovered close to the 0.80 young per nest considered necessary to maintain a population.

The most likely cause of this year’s nest failures is the weather during April and May, when ospreys were incubating and just hatching. It was unusually cool and wet, and those conditions can have several implications for ospreys: the high precipitation may have delayed fish migration and spawning, making prey harder to find; it may also have increased water turbidity, making it more difficult for ospreys to see fish. As ospreys spent more time hunting with less success, their incubating partners may have been forced to leave the nest – exposing eggs or young chicks to weather and predators – to hunt for themselves. In addition, we found that many young nestlings died when they were just two to three weeks old in June and early July, most from starvation, so the effects of the cool spring were far-reaching. Unlike previous years when nest success declined in one region or another (primarily the Atlantic Coast), this year’s problems were statewide, which supports the theory that weather was the predominant cause." -- Kathleen Clark, Principal Zoologist, Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Courtesy NJ Office of the State Climatologist.

No doubt we all know we had a HOT summer! It seems to have helped boost the osprey populations reproductive rate in all areas from Raritan Bay south to Cape May and west to Salem County, except for one area, Sedge Islands WMA. Its unclear why the Sedge population did not do as well this year. The productivity at Sedge varies from year to year, while the number of active nests has remained very similar (between 21 to 28 active nests from 2005 to 2010). Productivity peaked in 2008 and was at its lowest in 2003.


Courtesy NJ Office of the State Climatologist.

A warm and dry climate will make nesting attempts more successful, while calm conditions will make foraging attempts more successful. Many bald eagle nests failed this year most likely from the wet conditions in February and March (when young nestlings are more vulnerable to harsh weather). Timing is everything. Osprey feed a variety of species of fish. Whatever is plentiful. This year menhaden was very plentiful off-shore. Boats from New England even came down to catch it for use as bait in the lobster fishery. Calm weather probably made it much easier to see and catch fish this year. Turbidity in water in calm weather is reduced so in-shore and off-shore waters were pretty clear. To be able to successfully raise young, male osprey need to supply a large amount of food to the female from coopulation through to when the young fledge (from early April to early-mid July). They need about 6 lbs. of fish a day to sustain themselves. Of 304 nests that were occupied (with a known outcome) 114 of them produced 3 or more young. Three nests produced 4 young. Outstanding results that will be summarized in the 2010 New Jersey Osprey Project Newsletter, which I'll be working on over the next week.

Osprey nestling giving Eric Sambol the stare down. © Eric Sambol.

On another note, we hit a whole bunch of milestones this year! Here's one: Volunteers and biologists surveyed more nests this year than any other year (when not conducting an aerial survey). 350 nests were observed as being occupied by a pair of ospreys. Previously the highest count was 288 nests. 70% of the population was covered this year! I just want to thank all our awesome volunteers who access many of these nests to band the young for future tracking and to all the other volunteers who report new nests in areas we don't routinely survey! Thanks!

Photo from the Field

2010-08-27T14:08:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of receiving this photo from Joe Orlando shortly after we installed this platform on August 13th. Joe donated to have this platform placed near his house in Ocean City. His donation goes far beyond this single platform. It will be used to repair and replace other platforms to support our goals of helping the state population recover to historic levels (pre-DDT). A few days after we installed the platform Joe sent me this photo. I was happy to see a pair of adults that were already starting to place some nesting material in the platform before they fly south to their wintering areas. This is a good sign that this pair might return to nest on this platform next year!

Thanks for the donation and the photo Joe!

A pair of ospreys instantly take to a new platform installed on August 13th in Ocean City. Photo by Joe Orlando.

Post Season Wrap Up

2010-08-17T12:56:00.002-04:00

This osprey nestling has no fear! Photo by Eric Sambol.

Osprey surveys have been completed for this year. Most nestlings have already fledged. All major nesting colonies were surveyed by volunteers and biologists. I surveyed nests from as far north as Monmouth Beach south to Absecon. The extreme temperatures and strong storms this year sure didn’t make surveys any easier on us and ospreys. I noted several nests where I found dead young (anywhere from 1 wk – 4 wks in age) in nests. At a nest in Oceanville at Forsythe NWR three young were blown from the nest and did not survive following a severe thunderstorm. Preliminary results show mixed results. Barnegat Bay and Little Egg Harbor had increased productivity, while Sedge Islands (core population of B. Bay) was less productive. And productivity in Sea Isle City was more than double what it was in 2009. Full results will be published soon in our annual newsletter. Here is last year's newsletter.

Alf Breed, Joe Orlando (donor), Chris Haxter, and Ryan Risher (L to R) put the finishing touches on a new platform in Ocean City that Joe Orlando donated to have placed near his home.

Photo from the Field

2010-07-01T10:57:00.000-04:00

An aerial view of an osprey nest at Fort Monmouth. I visited the base on Tuesday, June 29th to survey several platforms there. We found that 5 platforms were occupied. Four nests produced a total of 8 young. Great results! One nest was "house-keeping."

Osprey Surveys Begin!

2010-06-24T20:05:00.000-04:00

On June 21st the first of many osprey surveys began. The surveys are performed every year to help determine the overall health of the population. Most surveyors are volunteers who commit many hours of their personal time to helping us monitor the population. USGS leg bands are placed on the young that are produced. The bands gather valuable data. They help us understand where ospreys migrate and winter, their survival rates, and how behave.

An adult leaves a nest as I approach by boat in Absecon.

By this time, many osprey young are 3-4 weeks old. This is when they can be banded. Not all ospreys begin nesting at the same time, so some adults are still incubating or have young that are only hatchings to two week old young. Generally, the more experienced adults start earlier and are more successful at raising those young. Younger adults start later and have a far less chance of successfully raising young.

Volunteer surveyors cover all major nesting colonies, from Sandy Hook south to Alloway's Creek along the Delaware Bay. The major nesting colonies are Sandy Hook, Barnegat Bay, Sedge Island, Great Bay, Margate/Ventnor/OC, Great Egg Harbor River, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood, and the Maurice River. They collect data (whether or not a nest is active & # young produced) which we use to calculate the productivity rate. Ospreys need a productivity rate of at least .8 young/nest to sustain the population. In the past 5+ years they have had more than double this rate. The population has grown by 21% in the past 3 years. Last year there were 485 nesting pairs in New Jersey. This year we expect there to be even more.

An osprey nestlings lies low in the nest. Young ospreys rely on their plumage for protection from avian predators like great horned owls.

I hope to post more photos as I survey more areas throughout New Jersey to share my experiences while working to monitor and protect ospreys. Stay tuned for more photos and posts!

LEARN MORE

Tis the season!

2010-05-17T08:49:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the infrequent posts to the blog. I've been very busy on the home front (my first child, Kaitlin, was born on April 6th) and at work (just relaunched the new website for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and blog and have started a new project working to protect terrapins in NJ).

Ospreys are currently incubating. Hatching occurs in late May-early June. High winds have been reported of having negative effects on nests along the Maurice River. 70mph gusts blew eggs out of nests. We will have to wait and see if this is reflected in the results from data collected during ground surveys in late June/early July. Otherwise, weather has been very good. Warm temperatures and normal precipitation are optimal for successful nesting by ospreys.
Otherwise, in mid-April, we installed six platforms on utility poles at Fort Monmouth in Oceanport, New Jersey. Platforms were 4 ft. square and were attached to 35 ft. utility poles. There are already three pairs of ospreys that nest on utility poles at Fort Monmouth. While we were installing the first platform, as soon as it was up, a male osprey briefly perched on the platform (see photo below)!!!

Last minute installs and repairs!

2010-03-25T07:34:00.000-04:00

Last week, after many delays and cancellations, I managed to get 4 platforms installed in several different areas. Volunteers have been crucial to me finishing this last minute work before the ospreys arrive and begin courtship (and before my first born arrives!!). Here are some photos from these most recent installations and repairs.

I still have several more platforms to repair. If you'd like to help, let me know!

I saw my first osprey (a male) in Ventnor on Friday, March 19th around 12pm. You should start seeing more and more ospreys over the next week.

A severely damaged platform is repaired by volunteer Bill Stuempfig in Ocean City, NJ. Photo courtesy of Bill Stuempfig.

Bill even brought a portable generator out onto the salt marsh to repair this nest. Photo courtesy of Bill Stuempfig.

Ben Wurst and volunteers install a nest platform in Fortescue behind a homeowners house who donated to help fund the project.

Volunteers and I stop for a Kodak moment.

Volunteers Bill and Don transport a platform built by Jon Rosky in Ventnor.

We replaced a damaged platform in Margate with the platform built by Jon.

Volunteers raise up a platform in Margate.

Another photo of raising up the platform in Margate.

Platform construction

2010-03-05T13:48:00.000-05:00

Supersized! I stand next to a 4x4' platform frame that will be installed on top of a utility pole at Fort Monmouth in March. Usually platforms are only 3x3'. these are specially made to be able to accommodate nesting bald eagles!

More photos of installations coming soon!

Happening Now: Spring Migration!

2010-03-02T12:29:00.000-05:00

An adult Osprey carries its catch. Photo by Steve Byland.

In early March adult ospreys are beginning their migration to their summer breeding grounds. In the Mid-Atlantic region past band recovery data has shown that 66% of banded nestlings (older than 3 years) returned to their breeding grounds in March as compared to 91% in April (Poole & Agler 1987). Osprey nestlings that were banded last year will remain on their breeding grounds until next summer. This year ospreys that were banded in 2008 will return to the the areas where they originated. In New Jersey, 448 young were produced in 2008. We can expect that less than half will have survived to return to breed in New Jersey. Studies have shown that osprey young that hatched earlier in the breeding season have a better chance of returning to breed. Early hatching dates had a 10.5% recovery rate (306 banded v. 32 recovered on breeding grounds) while late hatching dates had a 3.5% recovery rate (200 banded v. 7 recovered on breeding grounds)(Poole 1989). Not very good statistics, but these numbers are expected for most predators, especially birds of prey.

Osprey pair at a nest site in New Jersey. Photo by Ken Connelly.

Young adults (two year old ospreys) migrate slower than older individuals. Most do not breed their first season back where they originated. So, they can migrate more slowly or leave late in the breeding season. This first year many young adults return and "house-keep" or build nests but don't reproduce. This may help them establish pair bonds that will be strengthened the following year.

Ospreys follow the same migration routes as they do in fall. Ospreys are generally known to follow direct routes and travel in stages. From Northern South America (where large numbers of ospreys overwinter) many will fly north in Hispaniola and Cuba to the Florida panhandle north along the coast until they reach their breeding grounds.

References

Poole, A.F. 1989. OSPREYS: A natural and unnatural history. Cambridge University Press. New York, NY. Pg. 63.

Poole, A.F. & Agler B. 1987. Recoveries of Osprey banded in the United States, 1914 - 1984. Journal of Wildlife Management, 51, 148-55.

Platform Construction, Take II

2010-02-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, volunteers will gather to help construct several osprey platforms to be installed at Fort Monmouth within the next month. Heavy snow delayed the construction and installation for this project in early February. Warmer temperatures and rain helped melt most of the snow, making construction possible again.

Other work continues as far as installations are concerned. Three platforms are going to be installed along the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay. Repairs are also being planned for a few nest platforms along the Atlantic Coast. Stay tuned for photos from these installations. We hope to film more parts for the second installment in our Osprey Platform construction and installation video series!

Work is also being done to update the state's database of all osprey nest structures in NJ. There are over 700 nest platforms that are mapped and tracked from year to year.

Ospreys start arriving back to their breeding grounds soon! Keep an eye on those skies!

Mid-Winter Thaw!!

2010-02-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought that after a very cold December that we were doomed for our winter platform installations. It seems that's not the case anymore. After some seasonably average high temperatures the ice has subsided. This opens up the chance to possibly install some platforms in the next month.

Map of the proposed platform location inside Fort Monmouth.

Last week, I met with Joe Fallon, Chief of Environment Division with the Army Corp. of Engineers at Fort Monmouth. I toured the site with Joe to survey for suitable locations for additional nest structures. Currently, there are three nest sites on the base. Two nests on platforms and one on a baseball field light (orange points on the map). Last year before the second platform was built that third pair of ospreys nested on a power pole and laid two eggs. In short, this nesting attempt cost the government facility a $50,000 transformer! Luckily, the nest survived and was moved, thanks to the hard work of Joe and other Fort Monmouth staff. The nest was slid onto a sheet of plywood and then transferred to a new nest structure that was placed 30 ft. away on a 40ft. telephone pole. The eggs survived and the adult ospreys were determined. They successfully raised two young.

An osprey nest on a boat lift near Blackberry Bay. Photo by Peggy Davis.

The Shrewsbury River area and almost all of Monmouth County has been a recent area of interest for me. Why are there so few ospreys that nest up there? The fact is, there is not enough suitable nest sites for ospreys. Habitat loss from the boom in construction in the early 1950's led to massive projects that filled wetlands and what surrounded them, osprey nesting habitat. Today, only a handful of suitable nest structures exist in Monmouth County. Most are located inside Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook. Now ospreys utilize everything that they can. Many nest on cell towers, duck blinds, channel markers and in 2009 two pairs nested on boat lifts on people's docks! Since 2009, I pledged that I would work to raise funding to place more platforms in N. Monmouth County and with the funding from Fort Monmouth we will be able to place more platforms to help the osprey colony in this area. To read more about the project, click here.

In the next few weeks I'll be constructing 6 platform tops that will be placed on 40 ft. poles throughout the base. We will be installing six additional nest platforms with a grant from the U.S. Government. Installation is expected before the end of February. Stay tuned for photos and updates on this project!

Cold Weather Ices Over Installations

2010-01-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

This winter has been cold. Bone-chilling cold. Arctic winds have blanketed our area for some time now. They have drastically reduced surface water temperatures to the point where small bays, creeks, and ditches are frozen over. These cold temperatures have also delayed any osprey platform work (repairs and installations) until March unless temperatures rise for an extended period of time.

I have three platforms that are built and need to be installed. One in Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor, and Fortescue.

Several more platforms need repairs. Two need repairs on the Mullica River. One in Somers Point, and a few more.

Currently plans are being made to construct several more (six) osprey platforms in early February (weather permitting) at my house in New Gretna. If you are interested in helping out with repairs or installations, please let me know.

-Ben

609.628.2103

ben.wurst@conservewildlifenj.org

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

Although my New Year's resolution may not have been related to my work with ospreys, my concentration on working to restore the state's population to historic numbers still remains the same. In 2010, I am sure we will see an increase in the state's population. Since 2003, the productivity rate (or reproductive rate) has been high (twice the average known to only sustain the population) and there are plenty of new suitable nesting structures around the Atlantic coastal areas of the state. Over the next three months, despite the freezing weather I will be constructing nest platforms, repairing old ones, and installing several new structures.

My friends Greg and Joe help load and transport platforms

onto the marsh in March '09.

Happy New Year and stay tuned for updates on our winter work to provide more suitable nesting structures for ospreys in 2010!!!

Osprey Project webpage

2009-12-09T11:34:00.000-05:00

Juvenile ospreys in a hacking tower in North Jersey.

Photo courtesy NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Previously, we did not have a way of displaying information about this project with our members, volunteers, and supporters. Recently I got the opportunity to download some software to easily edit the Conserve Wildlife Foundation's website to display and highlight some of our "Conservation Projects." One of the featured projects is our Osprey Project.

As you may know the "Osprey Project" began in the early 1970's after the osprey population was decimated by habitat loss, persecution, and from the effects of DDT in the ecosystem. Since then, work by biologists with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program(ENSP) and volunteers have helped the population recover to near historic numbers. In 2009, 486 nesting pairs were observed and documented in New Jersey, a post-DDT milestone, and near the estimated 500 nesting pairs before the decline of the species in the 1940's.

Volunteer Joe Bilotta and my Dad, Steve and brother Andy Wurst
assist with the placement of two platforms at the Oyster Creek Generating
Station in Forked River, NJ in 2007. Photo courtesy Exelon-Oyster Creek.

I began work as a seasonal with the ENSP in May, 2004 after graduating from Unity College . I worked on a variety of projects, mostly with shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. Immediately, I was involved with posting beach closures to protect foragaing areas for migrating shorebirds and collecting egg samples from spawning horseshoe crabs to estimate egg density and availability to shorebirds. Then I began work with ospreys in late June after Kathy Clark, a supervising zoologist trained me on how to properly handle and band nestlings. Shortly after beginning my work with ospreys I immediately felt a connection to help this imperiled species in New Jersey. Over the next few years while working as a seasonal for the ENSP, I continued to work with ospreys. Other than banding, I conducted maintenance and installation of new artificial nesting platforms, with limited funding. I knew that I needed do something to help fund this project.

Banding a nestling at Forsythe NWR in 2009.

Photo by Johnathan Carlucci.

Since the beginning of my work with ospreys, I am now a full-time employee of Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ (CWF) and have significantly increased our role in the Osprey Project. Since we are a non-profit organization, we can seek and acquire private funding through donations and gifts to help fund the Osprey Project. Previously only limited funding was received by the state through State Wildlife Grants (SWG) from the federal government. Hardly any funding was dedicated to installing and repairing nesting platforms. Since I began working with CWF we have installed more than 50 nesting platforms, all with private donations and with help from many dedicated volunteers. We have raised over $10,000 in funding and we have watched ospreys numbers rise.

We have come along way, but our work never ends. Ospreys rely on us to provide suitable nest sites for them to successful reproduce. Nesting platforms need continual maintenance. Each year older platforms subside to the harsh conditions of the coastal salt-marshes. Screws rust, wood rots, and platforms blow over. Each summer when platforms are noted as being damaged, plans are made to repair and/or replace them. In the next few months we will be keeping busy. Many platforms are scheduled to be installed from areas in Monmouth County south to Cape May Point.

I encourage you to visit our website to get more information about our Osprey Project and I would like to thank you for following this blog.

I apologize for the lack in posts recently. Most of my work recently has been focused on habitat restoration projects. For more information about these projects, click here.

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Community Giving contest

2009-11-19T09:40:00.000-05:00

Please vote for us on Facebook and help our organization win unrestricted funds!!

2009 Osprey Project Newsletter

2009-10-15T15:25:00.000-04:00

Ben Wurst checks a nest at Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area

in Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Photo by Bill Steiner.

Today the 2009 Osprey Project newsletter was released to volunteers, cooperators, and the general public. The newsletter summarizes all the results from the breeding season. The results indicate how healthy the state population is and breaks down the production for each colony along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay. It also highlights the aerial survey that was completed this year, which helped identify more than 50 new nests this year. In all 485 pairs nested in New Jersey in 2009, a post-DDT milestone. To read more, click on the link below.

2009 Osprey Project Newsletter

In other news, many ospreys are at their wintering grounds in northern South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Some ospreys are still migrating or have yet to fly south yet, but they will be doing so soon. I look forward to installing platforms in the coming weeks. I recently got a shipment of lumber to construct some platforms for installation at Fort Monmouth in Monmouth County. The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ was awarded a contract to construct and install 6 nesting platforms inside the fort. Stay tuned for progress on this project!

Thank you all for the support!

Migration Begins!

2009-08-27T16:16:00.000-04:00

A juvenile osprey in Ocean City, NJ.

Many different things may indicate that summer is ending, labor day parties, less tourists, cooler temperatures, sour gum leaves turn red, shorter day length period, and southbound bird migration....For ospreys, it marks the beginning of the annual fall migration period back to their wintering areas where warm waters support high numbers of prey. This year all osprey young produced in New Jersey have fledged (529 young were observed this summer) and after they fledged they relied on their parents for food for several weeks. Now, many are on their own, using instincts and learned tactics to catch fast moving and cryptically colored fish. Many juvenile ospreys are dispersing from their nest sites and beginning there migration south to Central America, Northern South America, and the Caribbean Islands where they will spend the next two years and will not return to NJ to breed until late March 2011.

Route (red lines) typically followed by ospreys during fall migration. Most follow
landmasses south from Florida through Cuba into Hispaniola,
then fly directly south into Venezuela and Columbia.

Fall migrants can be seen as early as mid-August in New Jersey. Juveniles begin migration before adults. Sometimes juveniles fly completely in the wrong direction before they eventually turn and fly south. Satellite tracking studies are being conducted by on several juveniles and adults near New Bedford, Massachusetts. The data that is collected from the tags is great information and very interesting to follow where each of the birds goes during migration. Check out the link to follow the birds from Massachusetts.

This year volunteers and biologists banded 348 osprey young. In a typical year we usually get around 10 bands that are recovered. In 2008, 16 banded ospreys were found. Unfortunately almost all recoveries we get are from dead or injured ospreys. We do get great information from band recoveries. We can study survival/mortality rates, migration routes, and behavior.

Here are where bands were recovered in 2008:

Cayman Islands - Alive, was rehabilitated and released. Banded in 2006.

Mauricetown, NJ - Banded 2004.

Mauricetown, NJ - Banded 2003

Wildwood, NJ - Banded 2006

Hollywood, MD - Banded 2006

Margate, NJ - Banded 2008

Cape May, NJ - Banded 1991 - 17 years old!

St. Croix, USVI - Banded 2006

Vero Beach, FL - Banded 2008

Miami, FL - Banded 2008

Hollywood, FL - Banded 2008

Tolima, Columbia - Banded 2008

Cauca, Columbia - Banded 2008

Little Egg Harbor, NJ - Banded 2008

Mauricetown, NJ - Banded 2004

After a cold front moves through and winds are coming from the north, look up and you may notice the spectacular event that occuring all around you! If you want to get the best views of raptors and other birds during migration visit one of these locations:

Cape May Point State Park - Peak viewing period for ospreys is early October.

Higbee Beach WMA - A diverse wildlife management area in Cape May that has many different habitat types.

Hawk Mountain, PA - "Hawk Mountain is the world's first refuge for birds of prey. Open year-round, visitors enjoy scenic vistas, 8-miles of ridge and valley trails, a Visitor Center, Bookstore, and native plant garden, and each autumn, the chance to observe large numbers of hawks, eagle and falcons as they migrate past our lookouts. Operating as a non-profit eco-tourism site, your trail fee or membership dues directly support scientific research, public education and Sanctuary maintenance."

Kiptopeke State Park, VA - "Since 1963, Kiptopeke has been the site of bird population studies. Sponsored by the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory and licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, volunteers capture, examine, weigh, band and release resident and migratory birds each year from mid-August through November. In the raptor research area, hawks, kestrels, osprey and other birds of prey are observed and banded from September through November. Kiptopeke’s hawk observatory is among the top 15 nationwide."

For more information about raptor migration and birding in New Jersey visit: http://www.birdcapemay.org/hawkwatch.shtml

2009 Osprey Project Photo contest

2009-08-24T10:47:00.000-04:00

This year I wanted to have the general public and our volunteers help choose a photo that will be featured in our annual Osprey Project Newsletter published by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. Click here to read previous years newsletters.

To view the photos click on the slide show below and and vote for your favorite photo by clicking on the "LIKE" icon to the lower left of each photo. Note - you can only "like" one photo!!!

Thanks for voting!

Osprey Nestling Relocation

2009-08-19T11:47:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I was contacted by Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research to find a nest platform where a juvenile osprey could be placed. We have 475 pairs in the state, but I needed to find a specific platform where the nestling(s) would be similar in age (6-7 weeks old) to the juvenile from Tri-State. Instantly I thought of one pair that nested on a new structure inside Forsythe NWR in Oceanville along the "Wildlife Drive." When I was there on July 8th banding (nestlings between the ages of 4-6 weeks old) this nest had two hatchlings. The hatchlings were approximately 2-3 days in age and need very close parental care. On Monday, I got confirmation that there was one nestling in the nest at Forsythe, so I proceeded with the transfer of the juvenile osprey from Tri-State. The nestling was now 6 weeks old.

An adult perched on the platform.

I picked up the osprey in Vineland, where I met Russ, a volunteer with Tri-State, who donates his time to help injured wildlife. I then drove to Forsythe NWR and met Jeff Sloane, a biological technician and two interns. We met out on the "Wildlife Drive" at the osprey nest where we were going to place the bird. Both adults were present at the nest (a good sign). We then loaded up the ladder and the osprey and paddled across the ditch to the nest.

Jeff Sloane, Biological Technician with USFWS carries the young osprey up to the nest.

I removed the juvenile osprey from a box and handed it to Jeff, who then placed it in the nest. The adults circled, calling to their chick to "lay down." Osprey nestlings rely heavily on their plumage or feather coloration as camouflage to help them avoid predation. Basically we are seen as predators. Once Jeff placed the bird in the nest he climbed down and we proceeded to leave the area quietly. Once Jeff climbed down and was removing the ladder, the juvenile osprey from Tri-State instantly took flight and fledged! We watched as it flew into the wind towards Atlantic City. It's flight was strong and it landed nearby in the saltmarsh.

Jeff places the osprey in the nest.

Since all juvenile ospreys look alike (buff feather tips and orange eyes) it will hopefully beg for food from another adult in the area. Unfortunately, there is no way for us to track this bird or where it travels to. It is banded with a federal USGS bird band, so if for any reason it does not survive and someone finds the band, then we will get information on where and when it was found. Until then, we just have to hope for the best.

Platform Work Continues and Some Nesting Season Results

2009-08-12T18:39:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, I got some much needed assistance with the installation of 3 platforms in Little Egg Harbor inside the Great Bay Blvd. Wildlife Management Area. This past winter and spring I had some friends help me construct 14 platforms. We installed 9 in March. More than half the new platforms were occupied this year, a couple nests even produced young, while others were simply "housekeeping" or practicing to nest.

Two of the three new platforms were placed next to old ones that will be removed this fall. The old platforms were unstable and in a state-of-disrepair. The other platform was placed directly across from the old Fish Factory (photos will come soon!).

An adult osprey flies by while conducting surveys in Little Egg Harbor. Photo by Bill Steiner

On another note, I've got some great news and nesting season results for you. The results are astounding. Truthfully, I did not think that the osprey population would have grown as much as they did in the past three years, but it has. Over the past 10 years or so population growth has slowed (from around 19% to 9%), which I believe is mostly due to a lack in nesting platforms. But since 2006 (when the last statewide survey was conducted) the population has grown by 19% to 475 nesting pairs, statewide. This is another record breaking post-DDT milestone. Historically, records showed that prior to the 1930's there were more than 500 nesting pairs of ospreys in NJ. After the effects of DDT, habitat loss, and persecution the statewide population was down to only 50 pairs in the 1960's. This prompted biologists to list the bird as endangered and work began to help the population recover. A large part of the restoration efforts were focused on erecting artificial nesting platforms. Today, you can tell that all the hard work done by biologists, like Pete McLain, Larry Niles, and Kathy Clark and the many volunteers have paid off. Their legacy will live on with the osprey as they continue to thrive in the most densely populated state in the United States.

Gearing Up for Fall Installations

2009-07-29T14:52:00.000-04:00

Ben Wurst and Jeff Wettstein take a break from building platforms in 2007.

I've managed to raise some funding to place additional platforms this fall. Personally I think that this is the best time to install them. The water is warm, ospreys are still around, and the weather is quite calm. In the next month I'm going to be installing a few platforms near Little Egg Harbor with help from the Beach Nesting Bird staff to give them a break from their regular duties. Soon after I'll need some help constructing a few more platforms in New Gretna for installation in other areas (one in Lavallette and a few more on Little Egg Bay). Stay tuned for more information....

A Great Outcome on a Dreary Day

2009-07-23T13:53:00.000-04:00

This morning I made a return visit to Sedge Islands WMA to check on one nestling that was entangled with ribbon when I did my original survey on June 27th. The nestling was approximately 1 week old when I first visited and it had two other siblings. The ribbon was wrapped around its whole body, under the wings, and then tightly around one leg. Luckily, the ribbon did not look to be impacting the delivery of blood to the foot; however, it had hindered the development of muscle tissue where it was wrapped. When I cut it off, there was a depression left in the leg and I had feared that the leg would not properly develop.

On my way to the nest this morning (with my own personal boat, the "Otter Boat," a boat that will be used more for work with ospreys than fishing...) it started to drizzle (figures) and there was a 1-2 ft. chop. No matter what I was still not going to give up, so I pressed on from Skipper's Cove to Sedge. The boat ran great, but as soon as I got out near Sedge it started to downpour. It was raining so hard I couldn't even see any land around me. So I slowly motored towards Sedge and when I got there I stopped to let whatever hard rain was left, pass. Luckily it passed in less than 10 minutes. Then I headed towards the nest. Both adults were present and I climbed up and saw the three nestlings, now approximately 5 weeks old. I looked at all their legs and could not distinguish which one had the ribbon on its leg (a good sign). I then banded all three with USGS bird bands for future tracking. I am hopeful that this young osprey will survive and return to New Jersey to breed. The odds are stacked against him/her with all the other challenges that it will face over the next two years, but I am hopeful.

Forsythe NWR Banding

2009-07-13T10:30:00.000-04:00

I remove one nestling from a nest to band with U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service interns and staff. Photo by Jonathan Carlucci.

On July 8th, I visited Forsythe NWR to survey and band any osprey young that were produced. Of the 6 available platforms (2 are new structures that were installed this spring) 4 were occupied (1 new structure). Those 4 pairs produced 10 young, which are great results! This puts the average productivity rate on the refuge at 2.5 young/active nest. This is above the statewide productivity results from 2008 which was 1.88, but on par for the area (Great Bay to A.C.), which was 2.08 last year. Eight young were banded with USGS bird bands. Two young were approximately 3-5 days old when we were there and were too young to band. We plan on visiting this nest soon to determine if the pair was successful at raising its young.

I'd just like to thank Jonathan Carlucci for joining me and taking such beautiful photos that are featured in this post!

Deanna, an intern at Forsythe NWR

holds a nestling while I place a band on its leg

for future tracking. Photo by Jonathan Carlucci

A candid photo of one of the young.

Photo by Jonathan Carlucci.

I reposition one of the young while I band up at the nest.

Photo by Jonathan Carlucci.

This shows how little the young are affected by the banding process. These nestlings are

approximately 6 weeks old and tend to be more defensive at this age. I constantly try to minimize stress to the young and when I band up at the nest I simply fold back the left leg and then attach the band. The young hardly move unless you "stir them up" by moving them round. Photo by Jonathan Carlucci.

Jersey City Osprey Banding

2009-07-09T09:08:00.000-04:00

A large "man-lift" rolls me towards the osprey platform

at PSE&G Hudson Generating Station in Jersey City.

On July 6th, Margaret O'Gorman and I visited the PSE&G Hudson Generating Station in Jersey City to band the osprey young that were produced at an artificial nesting platform. We met with PSE&G staff to gain access to the nest platform where I banded three young that were produced. The young all looked well fed and healthy, which is good. I am surprised to see three young produced near such an urban area. It is a sign that the water quality in the area must have good clarity and quality to support a pair of ospreys. PSE&G staff take much care in protecting the osprey nest from disturbance, which could cause the birds to abandon the site if it would occur on a constant basis. Thanks to PSE&G staff for hosting us and Hackensack Riverkeeper for the news on when the young hatched.

The nest and power plant in the background.

Three young were produced at this nest. Excellent results!

The adult female returns to protect her young.

Banding on Great and Little Egg Harbor Bays

2009-07-07T10:53:00.000-04:00

On July 3rd I was out conducting ground surveys on Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor. My friend, Bill Steiner joined me to photograph the event. Below you will see a bunch of Bill's photos of the excursion. Some are excellent, where you can see the molting feathers of an adult in flight and that it is banded.

Here you can see that this female Osprey is banded on its right leg

and it's molting the 7th primary (flight) feather.

You can see the molting and band in this photo as well.

Here I am banding nestlings at a nest near

Osbourne Island in Little Egg Harbor.

This is one of the new nests that we installed in March from a

grant from Exelon. Of the 10 platforms we installed, 4 were occupied.

This has been a problem and will always be one. This chick had both its

legs wrapped in ribbon from a mylar ballon. If would have not visited this

nest within the next week, then this nestlings could have died due to

being entangled by the ribbon.

Me cutting away the ribbon to free the bird.

If you want to support ospreys in NJ, please

DO NOT buy Mylar balloons and release them into

the air for any reason!!!!!! You can see the negative

impacts that it can cause.....

Climbing to a nest in front of the Rutgers Marine Field Station at the end

of Great Bay Blvd.

At some point we were being followed

by an adult osprey. She followed us for approximately

1 mile away from her nest.

Here I'm entering data and you can see two addled eggs that I

collected for contaminant studies (if we get funding).

An adult Osprey dive bombs me as I band its young.

Thanks to Bill for taking all these great photos!

All photos are by Bill Steiner.

Photos from the Field

2009-06-28T10:15:00.000-04:00

Charles Hofer, a seasonal with the Endangered Species

Program bands some osprey young

A adult male flies by with a fish

An osprey nestling stares me down

Charles Hofer checks a nest up at Sedge Islands WMA

A large ground nest at Sedge Islands

June Platform Install

2009-06-28T09:56:00.000-04:00

On June 20, I helped Connor Biggs, a Boy Scout, by sponsoring his Eagle Scout Project where he placed four artificial nest platforms for ospreys near Mantaloking, New Jersey. As a part of the sponsorship I mainly provided guidance on how to build and install the platforms. I also mapped several locations where there was "suitable habitat" for ospreys to nest in the area. Suitable habitat for ospreys is basically any open area that is near water and food; so many coastal areas can have great habitat for ospreys to nest on artificial structures. Northern Barnegat Bay is an important area because it is the largest and most undeveloped northern estuarine area until you reach Sandy Hook along the Atlantic Coast of New Jersey. This has been an area of interest for me. In this area some ospreys are forced to nest on structures that are not exactly suitable. A couple years ago a pair tried nesting on a house in Lavalette. Luckily we were notified early enough in the nesting season and were able to place a platform near "suitable habitat" west of Chadwick Island. The pair was successful that year and is nesting there again this year.

We finished the installation in approximately four hours, which included me shuttling helpers to and from the marsh. If you know anyone who is looking for an Eagle Scout project you can have them contact me. I'd be happy to sponsor other scouts looking for conservation projects in New Jersey.

Jon Rosky looks on as the platform is leveled

Josh Mayo, John Roberts Jr, John Clayton, Jon Rosky, Jimmy Plaganis,
Connor Biggs, Ben Wurst, Kurdy Biggs, Bob Ward, Kiernin Biggs, John Biggs, Loyd Rogers, Austin Rogers
and John Roberts

2009 Aerial Survey is Complete!

2009-06-23T10:29:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I got the opportunity to fly along with Kathy Clark, Supervising Zoologist with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program to conduct the final aerial osprey survey for 2009. This was an awesome experience!! In my career, I've only seen osprey platforms and their habitat from either Google Earth or from the ground. This really gives you better understanding of why ospreys nest where they do. Ospreys nests near water and near food. Both of which are plentiful along the bayshore. This survey will help us determine the total number of nesting ospry pairs, statewide and it will also help us determine the productivity rate or rate of reproduction (basically how healthly the population is as compared to previous years). For the survey we flew from Woodbine to Dennis Creek, where our survey began. From Dennis Creek we flew along the Delaware Bayshore to Salem.

This nest is located along Dennis Creek

We covered a huge amount of land. We were constantly on the lookout for new nests in trees, shacks, duck blinds, or on new platforms. Many of the known nest sites were occupied. We also found several new nests, mostly in snags, or dead trees. Like this nest in a huge dead cedar (below). In all we found 38 active nests along the bayshore.

A nest in a dead cedar tree.

A nest behind houses along Reeds Beach Road.

With the conclusion of this survey we've found that in New Jersey we have 430 nesting pairs of ospreys. Up from 400 nesting pairs in 2006. That puts the population growth rate at about 8% from 2006. In the next few weeks we will be conducting ground surveys to determine the productivity rate (or the overall health of the population). Come back soon for more results and photos!

The First Young of the Year!

2009-06-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Three ~5 day old young lay low in the nest.

On Tuesday, while out in the field along the Delaware Bayshore in Heislerville I stopped to check one osprey nest and observed the first young of the year! I noticed that the pair was no longer incubating from the behavior of the adults, so i decided to stop and check. When they have young they are not seen "sitting tight" or incubating any longer, this is usually an indication that they have young. This was the case on Wednesday. When I approached the nest with the boat, the adults left the platform and began calling in a defensive way to try and deter me (as they see me and any other human as a predator) from reaching the nest. The defensive calls warn other adults in the area and signal the young to lay down or "play dead" as you can see in the photo. The young "play dead" up until they are around 6 weeks old. After 6 weeks they are much larger and more closely resemble an adult and are more likely to stand up and defend themselves (see picture below).

The good news is that this nest is active this year and has 3 young! It was not active in 2008.

A 6 week old nestling exhibiting defensive behavior.

Weather can directly impact productivity

2009-06-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

In late May and early June, many eggs begin to hatch. Osprey hatchlings are considered semi-altricial at birth or are covered in down, blind and need close parental care (feeding and body warmth). For approximately the first 7-10 days the young are very vulnerable to extremes in weather conditions, especially cold and damp conditions. This spring has definitely been a cold and wet one. This week I have been constantly thinking of our osprey parents, closely brooding their eggs and young to keep warm. I hope this rain ends soon, and I also hope that it does not have too much of a negative impact on our population this year!

In 2003, productivity was below normal. Mainly caused by adverse weather conditions. It was a cold wet spring. In the 2003 Osprey Newsletter, Kathy Clark wrote:

"The most likely cause of this year’s nest failures is the weather during April and May, when ospreys were incubating and just hatching. It was unusually cool and wet, and those conditions can have several implications for ospreys: the high precipitation may have delayed fish migration and spawning, making prey harder to find; it may also have increased water turbidity, making it more difficult for ospreys to see fish. As ospreys spent more time hunting with less success, their
incubating partners may have been forced to leave the nest – exposing eggs or young chicks to
weather and predators – to hunt for themselves. In addition, we found that many young nestlings
died when they were just two to three weeks old in June and early July, most from starvation, so the
effects of the cool spring were far-reaching. Unlike previous years when nest success declined in one
region or another (primarily the Atlantic Coast), this year’s problems were statewide, which supports
the theory that weather was the predominant cause."

In approximately 2-3 weeks we will begin our annual ground survey where we collect data to help calculate the productivity rate and band young for future tracking. With this data we can determine the success of the breeding season.

Coming Soon!

2009-06-01T07:35:00.000-04:00

This week I'm finally going to edit and produce Part 2 of my osprey platform construction and installation videos on YouTube. This video will focus on installation of a platform. Stay tuned!!!!

Oh, if you have yet to see my other videos on YouTube, scroll down to the bottom of the blog!

Searching for New Nests and Running the Numbers

2009-05-27T10:33:00.001-04:00

As you may know, this year the Endangered and Nongame Species Program, conducted a (nearly) state-wide osprey survey to determine how many nests are occupied. The survey ended last week. It only covered areas along the Atlantic Coast from the Manasquan River south to Cape May (Sedge Islands WMA was not surveyed by air). It is important that we collect data from all active nests. Many nests we don't know about, simply because there are over 700 available nesting platforms in the state!! This week I am entering the aerial survey data and gathering data from a few ground surveys that also took place along the Maurice River and in Sedge Islands WMA. This is where I need your help. For all other areas that were not covered by the aerial survey we would like to know if there are any new nests and their location. If you know about a new nest please mark it in Google Maps and e-mail me a link to the location. [To mark a location on the map, simply right click on the location, then select “Link.” Copy the text and send it to me]. My e-mail can be found on www.conservewildlifenj.org or you can send me the location by commenting through this blog.

The areas where coverage is lacking include:

Watersheds north of the Manasquan River (Manasquan reservoir, Shark River, Shrewsbury, Navesink, Raritan Bay and River, Sandy Hook)
Areas along the Delaware Bayshore and River, from Cape May to Trenton (not including the Maurice River).

If you plan on surveying the area (or nests) when young are to be banded or visible, it is not crucial to survey now. If you usually report on nests where the young are not banded you could simply wait until late June/early July to record the # of young that are produced. However, if you have information on which specific nests are occupied, please let me know. It will help me determine how many nests are currently occupied in the state and will also help us more accurately determine how many nests fail to produce young, or more accurately calculate the overall state-wide average productivity rate. Thank you very much for your support and commitment to the project. Don't forget to take my poll!!!!

2009 Aerial Survey begins and Suburban nesting pairs, only in NJ!!!

2009-05-13T12:53:00.000-04:00

This week, biologists with the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program will be conducting an aerial helicopter survey. This is the first survey since 2006 when just over 400 nesting pairs were found, statewide. To read the newsletter from 2004, click here. The survey will determine how many nests are occupied and will give us some insight into how healthy the population is. The survey will also be conducted in mid-June to determine the outcome of all the nests and will help us calculate the productivity rate or the number of young produced per nesting pair. So, if you see a helicopter buzzing over osprey platforms along the coast, do not be alarmed!

Vote in my poll for the number of nesting pairs you think we will have this year.

Photo by Peggy Davis

On another note, a concerned citizen spotted a pair of ospreys that were building a nest on a boat lift on Blackberry Bay in Oceanport. She called our office and I spoke with her about the issue and started my hunt to find out who the owners were of the property. After several calls to the local township office, NJDFW Law Enforcement, then DEP's Land Use Regulation Program, I eventually found out the owners name and phone number. Basically, our position was to inform the homeowners of the occurance and to let them know that the nest could be removed, with special permission. The nest could only be removed if there were NO EGGS; if there was eggs, then they would have to get a permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service. So today I called the owner and spoke to her about the nest. I was surprised to know that she already knew about it and was not concerned!!!! She is actually happy to give up her boat lift and dock for the summer to give a pair of ospreys a chance to raise their young. This is great news! For the most part, I would have thought that most people would not want to give up the use of their dock and boat lift for a season, but this is not the case! I hope we do not see any major storms this spring and summer that could possibly blow off the nest and cause the nest to fail. Time to wait and see....
The hard part will be to try and get permission from a local private landowner for us to install an artificial nest platform near the site so the pair has a place to nest next year.

Unfortunate Event

2009-05-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Last week I was contacted by an individual who found a dead adult osprey behind his house, which borders a small lake in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Ospreys are listed as a threatened species in New Jersey and are protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the state's Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1973. The person was obviously concerned that the death may have been suspicious. So was I. It's not very often that you may find a dead adult that dies while over water and drifts to the shoreline to be found. Many fatalities do occur from impacts to man-made structures, like power lines, buildings, wind turbines, and by electrocution. So earlier this week I picked up the bird and transferred it to my Dad, a veterinarian and owner of Barnegat Animal Clinic for a necropsy and/or x-ray to determine if the bird had been shot.

As you can see in the x-ray, there are two small pellets (probably from a shot gun loaded with bird shot), one in the head and one in the neck. So, this bird did not die of natural causes. From here on the case has been handed to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Law Enforcement and a Conservation Officer will investigate the incident.
This is the first case that I have ever encountered where an osprey was found dead from a gunshot. It is really hard for me to grasp how someone could mistake one of these magnificant birds for a game bird or shoot this bird on purpose.

If you see anyone who is harassing wildlife, destroying habitat or violating any wildlife laws in New Jersey report them by calling Operation Game Thief @ 1(800)222-0456 or WARN DEP @ 1(877)WARNDEP or 927-6337.

Nesting season begins

2009-04-12T09:06:00.000-04:00

In April, many pairs have already chosen nest sites and are currently gathering nesting material to either "spruce up" or built nests atop the 700 + artificial nest structures that dot our coastline. Ospreys usually gather nesting material from with one mile from their nest sites. Most nesting material is composed of sticks, eel grass, reeds, and all most always some human refuse (or litter). Pairs are also copulating or mating. In the next 2-3 weeks many pairs will begin incubating between 2-4 eggs. Incubation lasts around 5 weeks.

At this point in the nesting season disturbance is critical. If a pair is continually disturbed then it will abandon the nest site. Once they are incubating or have young, then they are more likely to guard their nest nests to protect their chances of reproducing.

In the next few weeks I'll be posting more information and life history of the osprey and the history of how the osprey has recovered to almost historic numbers. Stay tuned osprey fans....

Greater Outdoors Project

2009-04-01T09:19:00.001-04:00

Hey all, please help me win a grant for 50,000 to restore habitat by texting CONSERVE to 39668 once daily! You can also vote online once daily too @ www.blazethetrail.com/greatoutdoors

Check out these nest cameras!

2009-03-31T15:12:00.000-04:00

The season has started! To view a nest camera on a platform on the Chesapeake Bay click here. Or if eagles interest you, click here for a link to a camera on a bald eagle nest at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ.

Purchase artwork and help support this project!!

2009-03-24T20:06:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share a link to my online store on Etsy.com where I sell custom framed photos, mostly of ospreys and other wildlife that I've photographed while working in the field. I make the frames from reclaimed or salvaged wood I find that would otherwise be tossed in a landfill. From now through April, if anyone buys a framed print on my store, I'll donate 15% to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. Please mention my blog when you make your purchase.

My Etsy Store: http://southmaple24.etsy.com

-Ben

Asbury Park Press Article

2009-03-23T12:57:00.000-04:00

Read the article about the 10 platforms online today. This is the same article that was in the Tuckerton Beacon last week. Click here.

Special thanks to Paula Scully for joining us for the installation and for writing such a great article!

Good publicity is Key.

2009-03-20T11:07:00.000-04:00

Without good publicity and faithful volunteers for this project, then there would be no project!
Thank you all for your support!

Article from Tuckerton Beacon/Asbury Park Press on 3/19/09.

A great article from a long time friend and volunteer, Jack Gamble who helped install these platforms: http://www.babeled.com/2009/03/16/installing-osprey-nest-platforms/

A fun install day!

2009-03-18T18:58:00.000-04:00

Kevin Holcomb, USFWS biologist operates the air boat.

Today I was assisted by USFWS biologists while we installed two platforms inside the eastern impoundment at Forsythe NWR in Oceanville. We used the air boat shown above to transport people and the platforms to the sites where they were installed. The air was so cool and it's impact on the mud and marsh is much less than having people try and cross a ditch at low tide.
We were accompanied by a photographer from the Asbury Park Press. The photos will be with an article, about the grant from Exelonto install all these platforms in and around Great Bay. It will be in the newspaper on Friday. There will also be an article in the Tuckerton Beacon on Thursday.

Great Bay Project Complete!!!

2009-03-18T18:55:00.000-04:00

Photos from our Great Bay Osprey Enhancement Project:

Great Bay Osprey Enhancement Project - funded by Exelon - Oyster Creek

Keeping an eye out

2009-03-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

As mid-March approaches, so does the Osprey. Usually along the Maurice River the first ospreys are seen pretty early in the month, but I have not heard of on being seen yet. Usually along the Atlantic Coast, most arrive mid to late March. I usually always see the first one driving to or from work along the G.S.P. from exit 50 to exit 25.

Otherwise, I've been busy working on various projects, especially the Peregrine Project, where I've been installing new "prototype" predator guards to replace the very old ones. The old ones always required annual maintenance; now there will be very little maint. to do. Click here for a link to Conserve Wildlife Foundation's blog where I posted a story and links to pictures.

Platform installed on Manhassett Creek, Monmouth Beach on Sunday.

I've also been busy installing, repairing, and in some cases moving platforms before ospreys arrive. Over the last two days I've installed one Monmouth Beach for a pair of ospreys that tried to nest on a power pole last year and we finally got permission to place a platform on private property, so I jumped on the opportunity. It'll be interesting to see if the pair returns and if they will use the platform.

View Larger Map

This week I'll be transporting and installing 10 osprey platforms inside Great Bay Blvd. WMA. Stay tuned for photos from this project!

Keep you eyes open and you might see one of the first ospreys to return to New Jersey for the breeding season!

Install Day changes

2009-02-10T10:20:00.000-05:00

Please check out my updates with changes in dates to the Install Day - Take 2 post. I just found out that there is a conference I am going to when I planned on installing these platforms. I would schedule it for sooner but I am pretty much busy every weekend (collecting firewood mostly....) until after we get these platforms up in mid-March. Additionally, the tides are not in our favor for other dates after mid-month.

Sorry for any complications this may cause. I hope you all can still get the chance to help me with this and that we can get the platforms installed before this year's breeding season starts in only a little more than 2 months.

A break in the weather

2009-02-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend we took advantage of this beautiful weather while temperatures were mild and the salt marshes were thawing out. On Dennis Creek near Dennisville, NJ I helped an Eagle Scout install 5 platforms there to boost the population along the southern Delaware Bay. We had a pretty large crew including local volunteer firemen from Dennisville and Belleplain. The Eagle Scout, Ray Brierbrunner only planned on building and installing 3 platforms but he got extra materials so he built all 5. We got all 5 platforms installed by 1pm after we got delayed by the NJ State Police when they required a rescue swimmer for each of the 3 boats that were involved. Safety first kids! All in all, the install went smooth. Check out the pictures below.

Dennis Creek platform install

Install Day - Take 2 - Dates Changed!!!!!

2009-02-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

What: Help transport and install 10+ platforms in Great Bay Blvd. WMA
When: March 11-15th
Where: New Gretna to Seven Bridges Road.

Details: This event is weather permitting! If the forecast calls for any precipitation or gale force winds then we will be forced to delay this event. Please dress accordingly. The weather on the saltmarsh in winter is usually not very forgiving. There is almost always a breeze, which equates to wind chill. All skin that is exposed will be cold, no matter what. Knee boots, hip or chest waders are required!! (I have an extra pair, size 11, if anyone needs to borrow some). I'll be creating an event on Facebook for this install. I will post a link on here when I create it.

March 11th - I will need 1-2 volunteers to help me load
the platforms onto a trailer and transport to the boat
ramp on Seven Bridges Rd.

March 12th - 3-4 volunteers to possibly man two boats to
transport the platforms to where they will be
installed.
March 15th - up to 10 volunteers, 5/boat to help install
the platforms and document the event.

(note: I will be inviting a photographer and writer from the local media to join us, at least for the installation of one platform)

2008 - The Year in Photos

2009-01-28T21:59:00.000-05:00

Click on the video for HD version.

Platform Construction Video Live!

2009-01-23T21:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got the video done after procrastinating. Check it out!

Install Day Canceled!!!

2009-01-12T08:19:00.001-05:00

Hey faithful followers,

Due to the severe cold weather that will be in place by Friday I am canceling this install. Stay tuned for updates on when it will be rescheduled.

Thanks!

Ben

Running the numbers

2009-01-07T09:56:00.000-05:00

In the past five years I've built, installed, and repaired a bunch of osprey platforms, from Lavalette to Alloways Creek in Salem County. Since 2006 all the platforms have been paid for by private funding through either mitigation or by donations (Thank you to all the people who have donated money to the project and who volunteered to help me install them -Thanks!-).

Over the years I've added my own "personal" tweaks in the design to create a strong and safe structure for ospreys to nest on for decades. The platform also needs to be accessible for future monitoring, which means it must be within reach of an extension ladder and that it can support the weight of the bander. I've also been collecting a lot of salvaged lumber that I've found while out on the saltmarsh (for now it's a stockpile at home and at the office). Soon I'm planning on building one completely out of salvaged lumber! So as time goes on the osprey platform will evolve along with humans and ospreys to better fit a changing world.

50 platforms total!

How many will be installed in 2009? (Hint: 14 platforms have already been built)
Take a guess in my poll!

Platform install update

2009-01-06T10:39:00.000-05:00

I'll be sending out invites for volunteers through Facebook.

Here are the details:

On Thursday (1/15) I need one strong person to help me load and unload the 7 platforms onto a trailer then transport them to Great Bay Blvd. Let me know if you can help with this. Meet at my house at 10am.

On Friday (1/16) I also need one strong person to help me load and transport the platforms out onto the marsh with a boat. Let me know if you can help with this. Meet at my house at 10am.

Then on Saturday (1/17) all interested people will meet at the boat ramp before the last bridge (on your left). I can probably only take 4-5 people on my one boat. So space will be limited.

-Ben

The Lighthouse Center install

2008-12-26T21:49:00.001-05:00

On December 23rd I installed a platform with some of the great volunteers that this project has at the Lighthouse Center in Waretown. The install went without a hitch besides not being able to start the boat motor at the ramp in Barnegat. The tide was unusually low in the morning, it was supposed to be high tide, but b/c of the prevailing NW winds with 50mph gusts on Monday it caused a blow out tide. So, we ditched the boat and went with Plan B, walk the platform around 50 yards onto the saltmarsh (should've been Plan A if I knew we were able to do that, so lesson learned...). Otherwise the install went great! I'm working on editing down the raw video I took for another example of how platforms are installed.

Thanks for the help with the install and awesome donations towards the project!!!

Happy New Year!

Alan White, Ben W.(author), McDuffy Barrow, Pola Galie, Jeff Ruemeli, Pat Filardi, and Curt Watts (from left to right).

Save the Date!!!!

2008-12-23T13:35:00.000-05:00

What: Help transport and install 10 + platforms in Great Bay Blvd. WMA
When: January 16th, 17th and possibly the 18th, 2009.
Where: New Gretna to Seven Bridges Road.

Details: This event is weather permitting! If the forecast calls for any precipitation or gale force winds then we will be forced to delay this event. Please dress accordingly. The weather on the saltmarsh in winter is usually not very forgiving. There is almost always a breeze, which equates to wind chill. All skin that is exposed will be cold, no matter what. Knee boots, hip or chest waders are required!! (I have an extra pair, size 11, if anyone needs to borrow some). I'll be creating an event on Facebook for this install. I will post a link on here when I create it.

Day1- I will need 1-2 volunteers to help me load
the platforms onto a trailer to transport to the boat
ramp on Seven Bridges Rd.

Day 2- 3-4 volunteers to possibly man two boats to
transport the platforms to where they will be
installed.

Day 3- up to 10 volunteers, 5/boat to help install
the platforms and document the event.
(note: I will be inviting a photographer and writer from the local media to join us, at least for the installation of one platform)

Tide Chart for January 17th, 2009.

Construction complete!

2008-12-22T19:33:00.000-05:00

(From left to right) Ben Wurst, Author; Greg Rineberg, Greg Molyneux, Giselle, Jack Gamble

Well we're on our way to installing the 10+ platforms in Great Bay Blvd. WMA from a donation by Exelon Corp. (Oyster Creek Generating Station in Forked River) and from my Facebook pledge. In all, 14 platforms were built on Saturday, the 20th. I had over 10 friends show up to brave the cold cloudy day to help build these. Overall the construction went like a breeze, besides the tiny compressors we had to operate the air ratchet, so we ditched that for good old fashioned hand tools.

We saved lumber to build one platform where we taped the construction from start to finish. I'm in the process of editing the video and should have it done before the weekend. I just like to thank Greg M. for being the camera man! Stay tuned for the video!

We plan on installing these platforms early this winter, probably in January. I believe that we could get all up in one day, that is if I tranport each one to the exact location where we are going to install it. We will also be taking video of the actual installation as a tutorial for future use by organizations, other states, and the general public.

I just want to thank all my friends who showed up to help out! THANKS!

-Ben

Platform construction day

2008-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey all, I'm back from my honeymoon trip to St. John, so....Back to reality!

This Saturday will be when we construct around 10-15 platforms at my house. If I do not have your e-mail address, please e-mail that to me if you are interested in coming (or you can txt or e-mail me).

Time: 10am-whenever we get done.
Place: My house in New Gretna. Please park down the old mill road just before my house, drive back and park near the wood pile.

Maybe we can all pitch in $5 and get either subs or pizza for lunch.

The weather does not look great all wee; however, Saturday they are calling for only a 10% chance of rain, so keep your fingers crossed, b/c we will be working outside.

Migration Revealed!!!

2008-12-02T14:43:00.000-05:00

Since this past summer when myself and our volunteers banded almost 80% of the young (357 out of 454) that were produced we have gotten several recoveries of those bands. When a band is recovered, it is found on either a live or dead bird. So far we have had 5 bands recovered from this year's fledglings. Most of the time the bird is found found dead. In this case the bird was found dead and the USGS Bird Banding Lab was notified by the finder calling the phone # that was on the band (1-800-327-BAND).

This bird originated from a nest on a channel marker in West Wildwood and was banded by one of our volunteer banders, Hans Toft. Amazingly enough, this juvenile actually lost it's mom due to being entangled by monofilament. The adult was found dangling from the nest and had its legs bound by the line. Luckily a bulkheading crew that was passing by cut the bird free and got it to us so we could transport to our rehabilitator, Don Bonica of Toms River Avian Care. Tragically the adult did not survive, but we do know that the adult male was successful with raising its two young to fledge, and one of those young survived enough to make it to it's wintering area in South America.

The bird and band was recovered on 10/28 and was found near Tolima, Colombia in the town of Ibague. This recovery shows that this juvenile osprey traveled around 2,300 miles to its wintering area. Ospreys normally spend the next breeding season in that area then return to NJ the following year. So young that were produced this year will most likely return to NJ in late March, 2010.
However, not many young survive during the first year of life. A young osprey faces many difficult challenges and the mortality rate for most birds of prey including ospreys is around 80%. So of the 454 fledglings from NJ, only 91 may survive to return to breed in NJ in 2010. Not a very optimistic statistic.

While in their wintering areas ospreys face many perils that they do not see here in the U.S. In South America, many countries still have not banded DDT (however it isn't used as heavily as it was here in the 1960's) and other harmful chemicals which eventually runoff and make their way into the water table (where ospreys find food). Also, in many areas in the Southern Hemisphere there are large fish farms. These fish farms are bound to attract the attention of young ospreys and when they do, the farmers probably do not hesitate to shoot them! Other major causes of death are impacts with many man-made structures including buildings, power poles, and radio guide wires. Electrocution is another cause of death when an unsuspecting bird perches on a power pole.

I'll post more maps of where we have had other recoveries from this years young soon. If you'd like to see more detailed accounts of other fledglings from Delaware and Massachusetts, click here for a link to a satellite tracking project with UNCC.

Osprey Banding update

2008-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey all, So far I've gotten more than enough responses from people who would like to help out the project by volunteering to band osprey young. From the responses, I think that we will be able to fill all the areas in need with dedicated individuals.

For now I am no longer looking for people to help with banding, but there will be opportunities to help construct and install platforms, so stay tuned....

-Ben

Sedge Islands WMA (inside Island Beach State Park)
N. Barnegat Bay (Forked River, Ocean Gate, Cattus Island Park, Lavallette)
Barnegat and Manahwkin Bays (LBI area) - position filled
Absecon WMA and Atlantic City - position filled
Great Egg Harbor (Ventnor, Margate, Somers Point, Ocean City) - position filled
Tuckahoe, Middle River, and Great Egg Harbor River - position filled
Avalon - position filled

Facebook pledge update

2008-11-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

I am proud to announce that I successfully raised over the initial $100.00 pledge on Facebook thanks to my generous family, friends, and coworkers (everyone from my e-mail address book and Facebook acct.). Even though my pledge is over, I still had some who wanted to donate to repair other structures in other areas! I'm eager to purchase the materials needed to construct the platform and will post videos and pictures on here and Facebook of the supplies, construction, and installation. I want to keep my donors happy by engaging them in the process, even though they may not be able to help with the actual work.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to my pledge!!!!!

-Ben

Only 12 days left of my funding raising pledge on Facebook

2008-11-18T12:00:00.000-05:00

Only 12 more days for me to raise $15.00. If anyone can even contribute $5, it's a worthy cause!!!!!

Click here for a link to donate.

Platform installation video

2008-11-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a video from 2006 when myself and two seasonal technicians (Jeff Sloane and Sean Roch) installed a platform in North Wildwood, NJ. Check it out.

Facebook pledge update

2008-11-14T22:35:00.000-05:00

So for those of you who didn't see my previous post about a pledge I started on Facebook to raise $100.00 to build an osprey platform, I only need $15.00 more to complete my pledge(in 15 days)! The platform will be located in an area that is very important to the population by strengthening the population and will eventually lead to the full recovery of the species in NJ. The area is the Great and Little Egg Harbor Bays, one of the most pristine watersheds along the whole eastern coast of the US. Already every suitable platform that could be used by ospreys to nest on is being used, even an old houseboat that is turned over on it's side in Great Bay Blvd. Wildlife Management Area. With this small colony of about 15-20 nesting pairs, we could build it to reach 30 in the next 2-3 years, maybe even more with the high productivity rates that have been observed over the last 5 years. So I'd like to personally thank all who donated to my pledge, THANK YOU!!! Without your strong support of the Osprey Project, then we would be forced rely on government grants and other limiting factors that can delay the process of helping a threatened species recover to historic numbers!

An uphappy 6 week old osprey chick in Wildwood, NJ, 2006.

Raptor bander wanted!!

2008-11-01T12:40:00.000-04:00

**PLEASE SEE POST ON NOV. 24th**

Do you support wildlife conservation?
Enjoy being outdoors?
Do you have any experience handling birds?
Do you have a small boat?
Do you live in along the Atlantic coastal region of NJ?
Are you available to volunteer several days during weekdays/ends during late June/early July?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we could use your help!

The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program seek to find a dedicated and responsible individual to survey osprey nesting platforms and band their young. We currently have several different areas along the Atlantic coast that need a volunteer to survey. Those areas are:

Sedge Islands WMA (inside Island Beach State Park)
N. Barnegat Bay (Forked River, Ocean Gate, Cattus Island Park, Lavallette)
Barnegat and Manahwkin Bays (LBI area) - position filled
Absecon WMA and Atlantic City - position filled
Great Egg Harbor (Ventnor, Margate, Somers Point, Ocean City) - position filled
Tuckahoe, Middle River, and Great Egg Harbor River - position filled
Avalon - position filled

The volunteer(s) will be trained by NJ Fish and Wildlife and CWF biologists to properly survey, handle, and band osprey young. He/she will be responsible for submitting survey results at end of season. We would also like for you to become involved with the maintenance, construction, and placement of osprey platforms.

**Note - Interested individuals should be comfortable being outdoors for long periods of time in direct sunlight. You will be working in muddy, buggy conditions. Only a few volunteers will be selected for the next season, so I am not guaranteeing that all will be chosen. If you have a resume, please include it in the email. Good luck!

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact me: ben.wurst@conservewildlifenj.org

Osprey platform pledge on Facebook

2008-10-23T10:27:00.000-04:00

Hey all, Please help me fulfill my pledge to raise $100.00 to construct an osprey platform to be installed in Great Bay Blvd. WMA this winter. The platform will be named after the person who donates the most. I'll also need your help to build this one at my house in December.

Click here.

Observations and more great news!!

2008-10-15T13:58:00.000-04:00

What a great day and week this has been! The other day while off from work for the holiday, I saw two ospreys soaring south for migration. It was a beautiful sight, but what drew my eye to them was the ospreys unqiue call that cannot be forgotten. As I watched them fly overhead, I thought, "see you in a couple months!"

On another happy note, I am proud to announce that the project to build and place 10 osprey platform in Great Bay Blvd. WMA has been fully funded by AmerGen!!! Without the support and funding from AmerGen and other private donors, the osprey project would not be able to accommidate the fast growing population of ospreys nesting needs with the dwindling state funding. Below is the full proposal for Great Bay Blvd.

Thank you Nancy, Bill and all other private donors!

-Ben

Great Bay Osprey Enhancement Project

In cooperation with

NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife,

Endangered and Nongame Species Program

Prepared by: Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ

August 8^th, 2008

Background:

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 NJ 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. 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.

Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor are surrounded by over 25,000 acres of protected emergent saltwater marsh. It is located along the Atlantic Coast between Ocean and Atlantic Counties. Both bays contain excellent foraging areas for ospreys because of the shallows waters and close proximity to the ocean. Currently only 21 suitable nesting structures exist within 3 square miles. For example, Sedge Islands WMA currently has over 25 available nest structures within 1 square mile. This year all 21 structures were occupied.

Most nesting structures are decades old and are in poor shape. Inadequate nest platforms create situations where the young are very vulnerable to predation from ground predators and loss due to strong winds during storms. In 2007, the osprey colony (Great Bay to Atlantic City) had a great season with a productivity rate of 1.95 young/active (known-outcome) nest with a total of 41 young produced. With such a high productivity rate, in the coming years, more young will be returning to breed close to their places of origin. We believe the lack of nest structures in the bay is limiting the osprey population, and focused improvement, by providing platforms, will increase the nesting population.

Goal:

Enhance nest availability and productivity of ospreys in Great and Little Egg Harbor Bays to help restore the state population to historic levels.

Objectives:

Increase the availability of nest platforms for osprey along Great and Little Egg Harbor Bays.
Replace old, damaged, and predator-prone nest platforms currently available.

Methods:

Construct 10 nest platforms using NJDFW osprey platform plans.
Transport platforms to central staging area (Great Bay Blvd. WMA)
Transport platforms to each individual location where the nest will be placed.
Erect platform(s) with NJDFW, USFWS partners, and volunteers.

Timeline:

December 2008 – Construct platforms with volunteers.
January 2009 – Transport and install 10 platforms.
Summer 2009 – Survey nest platforms for occupation.

2008 Results are published!

2008-10-15T13:48:00.000-04:00

Yesterday the results of the 2008 Osprey Project were published on the Division of Fish and Wildlife's website. Click here for a link. All in all it was another record year where productivity was more than double the rate thought to be needed to sustain the population.

Enjoy!

-Ben

Setting the date

2008-10-08T09:01:00.000-04:00

Re: Platform construction.

How's 12/20? Anyone going away this week, or are you available to help out?

Winter Project - HELP WANTED!!

2008-09-26T13:56:00.000-04:00

Hey, Above you'll find a map of the Great Bay Blvd. Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This winter, with funding from AmerGen, we (CWF and volunteers, if you want to help out, let me know; we'll be building them at my house in New Gretna) plan to build and erect a total of 10 platforms here to support the growing population (blue points are proposed locations, white are existing nest locations). This year while doing the ground survey to determine the productivity (# young produced/nest) I noticed that all available platforms were occupied. Earlier this year, in April I noticed a pair trying to build on the telephone pole after the last bridge on the right (you can't miss it, see pic below); however, they weren't successful this year b/c of disturbance. I could tell that people were accessing the mrsh by walking right underneath the nest..... So I tried to alveiate the problem by posting the area with endangered species signs, but the pair failed to build a nest and raise young. Next year the pair will have more choices for where they plan to nest and raise young. Another pair nested on a houseboat which is turned on it's side; they raised 3 young.

Posting to deter disturbance.

Adult on nest in early April.

If you'd like to help me with construction and installation of the platforms this winter, let me know. 609.628.2103 or ben.wurst@conservewildlifenj.org

-Ben

Fall is for planting!

2008-09-09T13:54:00.000-04:00

September, 9th - "Fall is for planting" osprey platforms, that is!! Besides siting some more perennials or trees in your yard, I like to install some osprey platforms each fall. Sometimes new platforms are erected to replace old predator prone 4-post platforms with newer style 1-post platforms, or we install platforms in new locations in suitable habitat (almost anywhere near water). Today I installed two in Loveladies on the western lagoons that were luckily never developed. Today the property is owned by the federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of E.B. Forsythe NWR.The area is certainly unique since most other coastal marshes along barrier islands were filled (54% of all wetlands in US have been filled already!!) to create human housing developments prior to protection in the 1970's.

I had a great crew today, a former co-worker, Jeff Sloane and his intern/bio. tech. crew from USFWS and Jeff W. with NJDFW. I had the pleasure of inviting Bill Clarke, a M.D. from Maryland who has an undeveloped lot in Loveladies Harbor who had read the previous article in the Sandpaper and decided to support our work by making a generous donation in support of enhancing osprey nesting habitat and protecting shorebird habitat. Bill had e-mailed me to inquire about the feasability of installing a platform near another nest on a channel marker that he always sails past. I also had Angela Anderson and Ryan Morrill there from the Sandpaper to do a follow up story on how else we (The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and private donors) are helping to "enhance osprey nesting habitat" along Atlantic Coastal areas of New Jersey. Particulary on the Barnegat Bay where a lack of suitable nesting platforms had decreased productivity in the bay. As of today 27 suitable nesting structures exist that are outside of our "core" colony (Sedge Island WMA) where between 20-30 ospreys nest each year.

I'll post a link for the article, after it gets published next week (it is only available for one week after being posted on the web).

-Ben

Tracking ospreys during migration

2008-08-25T09:32:00.000-04:00

August 25th - As most young have fledged and have now dispersed from the nesting areas, some are exploring new areas. By now most are starting their migrations south to wintering area where they will spend the next 1 1/2 years before returning to nest near where they originated. Please visit the link below to read (and view maps) about some osprey chicks that were fitted with satellite transmitters in South Carolina, Delaware, Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, MA. One bird (Meadow) has even traveled WAY northwest and into Ontario!!! Strange, but very interesting. When will she realize that shes going the wrong way....

Tracking Martha's Vineyard ospreys.

-Ben

Another record year!

2008-08-12T11:56:00.000-04:00

Banding 1 of 3 chicks at Cheesequake State Park with
donors from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ
and NJ Parks and Forestry staff.

8/12/08 - Well, it's been another great year for ospreys here in NJ. So far most of our volunteer surveyors/banders have submitted their data and the numbers are looking good; however, we are still waiting for data on a couple important areas. So far all numbers are up; including, # of young produced, # of active nests, # banded, and overall productivity. I myself banded a record 158 young this year, from Cheesequake State Park to Cape May Harbor.
Even though the banding season is over, now is the time for data entry and analysis. I've also been busy mapping new nests and areas where platforms need repair or replacement this winter.

Stay tuned for full results within the next few weeks.

-Ben

Banding young on a abandoned houseboat on Great Bay Blvd.

Sandpaper article

2008-07-18T08:21:00.000-04:00

8/4/08 - Sorry for the lateness of my post, but in early July I was featured in an article in the Sandpaper (a free weekly newspaper in Southern Ocean County, NJ www.thesandpaper.net). The article described the annual survey and recovery efforts that the Foundation and I have partnered on with support from some local businesses. All in all it was a great article written up by Angela Anderson and I was surprised to see that the story made the front cover of the paper.

Barnegat Bay

2008-07-07T18:35:00.000-04:00

June 28th, 2008 - Barnegat Bay

Pictures from the field

2008-07-07T18:28:00.000-04:00

June 24th, 2008 - Absecon WMA

Surveying the popuation

2008-06-29T13:18:00.000-04:00

1 Week old osprey chick. N. Wildwood.

June 29, 2008 - It's that time of year, summer is here and the 4th of July is approaching fast. It's my busiest time of the year when I survey several different areas along the coast to monitor the osprey population. Areas that I've covered so far include, Sedge Islands (Island Beach State Park), Barnegat Bay, Little Egg Harbor, Absecon and A.C., Tuckahoe River, and Great Bay. This next week I plan on visiting nests at Cheesequake State Park, the Mullica River, and Margate/Ventnor. We have several volunteers who dedicate a lot of time and money to surveying other dense colonies and they include Sandy Hook, Stone Harbor/Avalon, Wildwood, Dividing Creek, and the Maurice River. Without the valuable data that our volunteers contribute we would not be able to accurately estimate the annual health of the population.

Right now many osprey nests contain young that differ in ages from a couple days old to almost 6 weeks, while a few are still incubating. While surveying, I collect information on each of the nest platforms and record if the nesting structure is occupied by a pair of ospreys and if they produced any young. With this data we then summarize the results and for all survey areas to determine the average productivity rate (# young produced/active-known outcome nest). A nest with a known outcome is an active nest that either has produced young (observed in the nest) or has failed (lost it's eggs or young due to many different factors; one could be weather related or the availability of food). Below is a chart of the # of active nests and productivity rate over the last 10 years in NJ.

# Active nests (bar) and productivity rate (line)
over last 10 years in NJ.

So far, this year is looking good. With more platforms available, and plenty of fish stocks, weather has only played a minor role in determining nest success. We only really had one bad storm this spring; the mid-May Nor'easter. Most ospreys weathered the storm and protected their clutch (of eggs). Luckily hatching usually occurs in late-May/early-June. From what I've seen, most young appear to be well-fed, healthy, and are growing quickly. When we get the data collected from our volunteers, then we'll be able to see just how good or bad this season was. Stay tuned!!

My view, accessing the nest platforms.

5 week old chick.

USGS leg band

Images from 146-B2

2008-06-06T14:00:00.000-04:00

We have eggs!

2008-05-29T12:51:00.001-04:00

5/28/08 - 6am, Wednesday. While working on another project (collecting two young from a nearby peregrine nest tower) on the Mullica River, I decided to stop in and check on my pair of ospreys. We have eggs! Three to be exact (see picture below).

Amazingly enough, the pair managed to protect the eggs from the 70+mph wind gusts during the nor'easter that hit NJ in mid-May. Soon we should have hatching. I will now start to check the nest more frequently to determine if we have any young. Most of the time you can simply tell by the adults behavior, the incubating female tends to move frequently as she feeds and broods the young.

Tracking a nest

2008-05-20T19:45:00.000-04:00

This season I will share with you, the trials and tribulations of a nesting pair of ospreys. This nest is one of many that I survey annually to determine whether or not the state population has had a productive season.

Location: Bass River Township, NJ

Nest name: 146-B2

Year found: 1999
Structure type: 1 post, man-made nesting platform. w/ predator guard
Link here for platform construction plans.

This area along the Atlantic Coast of NJ has been slow in terms of osprey colony growth. It takes time to increase smaller less dense osprey colonies. It is known that when a male osprey returns to breed, he looks for other nesting ospreys. This shows him that this is "suitable" nesting habitat, because ospreys nest near water and their prey, fish. It's simple, when there's more ospreys nesting in a small area, it signifies that the area is suitable to a new bird.
OK, more about 146-B2, since '99 when the nest platform was erected, it has only been active 5 times in nonconsecutive years over 9 years. Since '99 it has only produced 2 young in 2007. Not the best results, but promising. This year, the total colony of ospreys will probably have reduced productivity(# young produced per active nest), due to the unseasonably cool and wet conditions during incubation and hatching. In 2003 we had the same conditions, a damp cool spring, which showed by a reduction in productivity. Today I checked two nests in Sedge Islands WMA at the Southern tip of IBSP. One nest had failed (= no eggs or young produced from an active nesting pair) and the other was still incubating. When the nest fails it could mean a variety of things happened, everything from how experienced the male is at catching prey, prey availability, weather, or predation. This year weather will play a big factor in the # of failed nests.

More to come soon on nest 146-B2 on the Mullica River. I plan on kayaking out to the nest this weekend.

-Ben

Human intervention

2008-04-15T07:54:00.000-04:00

April 14th - Today while working in the office we got one of those "usual" calls about an injured bird, usually a bird of prey. We get lots of these calls, year-round mainly because all other conservation groups who are contacted with an "injured bird" call, have them, call us.... Well today one of the calls was of an osprey stuck in the mud near Bivalve.

First, I returned the call to "diagnose" the situation, an osprey was seen by Pat , while walking his dogs in Bivavle, that was stuck in the mud. He got our number to let us know, then notified a Conservation Officer who responded and retrieved the bird from the mud, which was more than waist high!! I knew this osprey was probably already "paired up" with its mate and could be incubating now or very soon. The worried mate was circling and calling when the bird was stuck in the mud. So, if possible it was important to wash the bird and if there weren't any injuries, to release him/her on site. When I got a hold of the group (Bayshore Discovery Project staff) who had the osprey I asked if anyone knew how to handle the bird and to check for fractures and they didn't, so then I left the office to rinse and hopefully release the bird.

Bivalve wasn't far from my office, so I got there within an hour. The osprey was contained in a small plastic box and was wet and covered in mud, which was stuck to the feathers, weighing the bird down. Birds need to take great care of their feathers by preening (cleaning and realigning them) to achieve lift. This osprey couldn't even release itself from the mud. So I started to rinse the bird with cold water w/ the help of Pat (Bayshore Discovery Project), carefully making sure not to "overwash" the bird. Pat sprayed the hose while I held and manually helped to get the mud out of it's feathers. The osprey was pretty well behaved, considering that it sat on a lawn, had several people around it, and was being washed with a hose. I'm sure it just knew that, without human intervention, it would have been stuck in the mud struggling all day, until the high tide came back and drowned the bird.

After rinsing the bird, I dried it making sure not to damage each of the flight feathers while I dried each one meticulously. The sun also helped warm and naturally dry the osprey. Within a half-hour we then took the bird to a dike close to where it was found and I sat the bird on the ground. I then backed away and let him get a view of his surroundings, hoping that he would eventually lift off. After about 10 minutes, I then decided to try and "push(walk towards to flush up and away)" him to take off. I stood there, looking at him, thinking "come on, just open up your wings bud." Then, within a minute, he pooped, opened up his wings and LIFT OFF! He was up and had a strong flight to the nearest nesting platform where he was met by another osprey.

Welcome!

2008-04-08T13:34:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome! I like to introduce myself and my blog to you. I'll try to make this as brief and painless as possible.

That's me, being dive bombed by an angry
osprey.

My name is Ben Wurst, I was born in Maine, but grew up in New Jersey. I've lived along the east coast in NJ for all my life, so my ties with it are strong. After graduating from Unity College in Maine in 2004, a seasonal job for the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) brought me "back home." I was hired to sample several Delaware Bay beaches to determine horseshoe crab egg densities during May and June. The spawning of horseshoe crab coincides with the arrival of many different species of migratory shorebirds who stop and rest to "fatten up" on the eggs. I also got drawn into and erecting beach closure signs to protect critical foraging areas for shorebirds from human disturbance. Over the summer I also got to work on several other species projects including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and osprey. One project was, in turn, put into my hands for managing after I learned all the skills needed to help the project continue to be a success, the Osprey Project.

Since my hiring in 2004, not too much has changed. At first I worked as a seasonal, only in the summer. Then my full-time, year-round presence was requested, and I happily accepted. Today, I currently have a full-time salary position with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF) of NJ, who works very closely with the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife's ENSP. In my position with CWF I manage the Habitat Restoration Program, which is a new program to restore habitat in coastal NJ for rare species. I'll talk more about CWF and my new position in another blog.