Author: Ben Wurst

The 2025 nesting season for ospreys in New Jersey began as others. Breeding adults returned to their nests in March and April, pairs reunited, and nesting activity got underway on schedule. But as the season progressed, it became clear that this year would be anything but typical.

A nor’easter in late May marked a turning point. Lasting nearly three days, the storm brought strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. Conditions that made it extremely difficult for ospreys to find food. As observed in previous years, these types of storms are known to disrupt foraging in the ocean, and in many cases, lead to brood reduction or nest abandonment. However, weather alone does not explain what we observed.

Continue reading “2025: A Year of Challenges for Coastal Nesting Ospreys”

Each spring, wildlife enthusiasts across New Jersey — and beyond — tune in to watch one of the state’s most exciting conservation success stories unfold in real time: the Union County Falcon Cam. This season, viewers witnessed an unusual change when the nesting female was replaced mid-season. What makes this especially remarkable is that the new female is now incubating the five eggs laid by the previous female.

Hosted by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey in partnership with Union County, the Falcon Cam offers a live look at a nesting pair of peregrine falcons as they court, lay eggs, and raise their young.

Continue reading “An Unusual Season for Union County’s Falcons”

In late March, I set out to repair an osprey nest platform on Barnegat Bay — one I had scouted during the winter while hiking trails in Eno’s Pond County Park. I recently learned that this platform has been in place since at least 2012, when a viewing blind once stood nearby, though it was reportedly destroyed during Superstorm Sandy. Continue reading “Photo from the Field: A Setback That Sparked Renewed Determination”

Just yesterday, as February comes to a close, I saw my first pair of American oystercatchers on breeding territory on Long Beach Island. The first piping plover of the season will likely be sighted in New Jersey sometime next week or so. Still, as we remain in the midst of one of the harshest and snowiest winters in a long time here on the New Jersey coast, it’s hard to believe that CWF staff will be back out at Horseshoe Island in just over a month to start biological monitoring for the 2026 beach nesting bird season.

Continue reading “Gearing Up for Year 5 of Bird Monitoring at Horseshoe Island”

As I finalize our annual report summarizing last year’s data, I often find myself looking back to reflect and compare trends over time. I’ve worked with ospreys long enough to have witnessed their population in New Jersey more than double. Their recovery has long been a clear sign of improving ecological health in our coastal waters.

Continue reading “A Tale of Two Seasons: Ospreys and Menhaden on the Mullica River”

During our osprey nest surveys we are always looking for auxiliary banded birds. Last summer over 40 red banded ospreys were re-sighted, which is the most ever encountered in a single year. The majority were breeding birds, photographed on their nests and others were photographed in flight or perched, often with prey. Some were even re-sighted several times throughout the year.

Continue reading “Photo from the Field: Osprey 04/M”

Over the past twenty years, I’ve had the privilege of watching New Jersey’s osprey population more than double—from roughly 400 nesting pairs to over 800. While our work to protect and expand nesting habitat has played a role in their comeback, the true foundation of their recovery has been a healthy marine ecosystem and an abundance of prey.

In recent years, however, that picture has shifted. Brood reduction and declining productivity are becoming increasingly common, tied directly to the reduced availability of Atlantic menhaden in nearshore waters. Menhaden have a long history of heavy exploitation, and their scarcity today is once again testing the resilience of ospreys.

Continue reading “Ospreys and Menhaden: A Shared History of Abundance and Decline”

Since 2006, the Women & Wildlife Awards have honored powerful voices in conservation—from scientists and educators to policy advocates—who have helped restore bald eagles, brook trout, golden-winged warblers, and more across New Jersey. These leaders have preserved thousands of acres, launched statewide education initiatives, and inspired countless others to act.

Continue reading “Honoring Powerful Voices in Conservation: 2025 Women & Wildlife Awards”

Since my last post on June 25, where I said this year was shaping up to be a “terrible one” for ospreys in New Jersey has held true. Since then I’ve watched as nestlings are abandoned and left to starve by their parents and die from starvation via live streaming cameras. It is heartbreaking. We’re seeing nest failure rates higher than they have ever been in most coastal colonies. Even worse, many others monitoring ospreys in surrounding states are reporting similar outcomes. Atlantic menhaden—typically a staple in the osprey’s diet—are far less abundant this season.

Continue reading “Photo from the Field: Starving at the Shore”