bird of prey Archives - Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ

Photos from the Field: Falcons rule the roost at Sheraton Hotel in AC

Posted on November 7, 2021April 1, 2022 by Ben Wurst

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

*Putting the final touches on a new nestbox for peregrine falcons in Atlantic City, NJ. photo by Kathy Clark/ENSP*

This past week I had the pleasure of assisting Supervising Zoologist, Kathy Clark with NJ Fish & Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program to install a new nestbox for state endangered peregrine falcons. The new nestbox was installed atop the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel. Peregrine falcons are not new to Atlantic City. They have nested in A.C. since 1987, where the first pair nested on the 23rd floor of the Hilton/Atlantic Club. Since then new pairs have established nests on other tall buildings and structures, like the Hard Rock Casino and A.C. water tower.

A New Nest for a Baby Bald Eagle

Posted on April 30, 2019 by CWF

Story by: Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research

Several weeks ago, a five-week-old bald eagle was found on the ground with its sibling after a severe storm, their nest destroyed, and the eaglets were transported to us for professional care. Other than being slightly dehydrated, one nestling was healthy.

TapINTO.net: Online Cameras Peer into Nests of ‘Rock Star’ New Jersey Predators

Posted on March 18, 2019 by CWF

Story by: TapINTO.net

*Top: Duke Farms Eagle protects two eggs that are expected to hatch soon.*
Photo credit Conserve Wildlife Foundation.
Bottom: Peregrine Falcons in Union County exhibit mating behavior.
*Photo credit Union County.*

A pair of American Eagles tend to their nest atop an 80-foot Sycamore tree at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, days away from the hatching of two eggs, while the courtship season has begun for a female peregrine falcon nesting on the roof of the historic 17-story Union County Courthouse in downtown Elizabeth.

The predators have achieved “rock star” status in classrooms and homes across the state and the country thanks to video cameras that have been installed on trees and within the nests of the birds by wildlife biologists, with live feeds available online.

Union County News: Spot the New Falcon in Town on the Falcon Cam

Posted on March 16, 2019 by CWF

Story by: Union County Office of Public Information

Union County’s free Falcon Cam captures the view inside the nest of two peregrine falcons on the roof of the County Courthouse Tower in midtown Elizabeth. This screenshot shows bonding behavior as the newly installed female (left) *and the male get acquainte*d *and prepare to start a family. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Union County*

As the courtship season begins for peregrine falcons, residents of all ages and visitors from all over the world can observe and study one of the fastest animals on earth by tuning in to the Union County Falcon Cam. “The Falcon Cam is a great opportunity for residents of all ages to experience and learn about peregrine falcons up close,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This season we have a new female falcon, who has taken over the territory on the roof of the Union County Court House.”

Union County’s falcon preservation efforts have been undertaken with the generous assistance of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Conserve Wildlife Foundation is Union County’s official partner for educational programming related to falcons and the Falcon Cam.

NorthJersey.com: Bald eagles nesting in New Jersey

Posted on March 14, 2019 by CWF

Story by North Jersey Record

*One of two adult bald eagles near a nest that looks out on Overpeck Creek, where the raptors have been seen for the past few years. (Photo: File photo from northjersey.com)*

Bald eagles are New Jersey’s early birds. In the chill of winter, they’re the first to build nests and lay eggs.

Even in the short days of December, these early birds are busy gathering sticks, grass and other materials to build or repair their nests. Only two weeks into the new year, they start laying eggs.

Continue reading on northjersey.com
Watch the Duke Farms EagleCam, a collaborative educational program between CWF and Duke Farm

New Jersey 101.5: Record number of ospreys last year

Posted on March 13, 2019 by CWF

Story by Joe Cutter, New Jersey 101.5

*Photo by Ben Wurst, CWF Habitat Program Manager*

A new report finds that a record number of ospreys were observed in New Jersey during the year 2018. The report was prepared by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

Report co-author Benjamin Wurst, of The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, says 932 ospreys were spotted along New Jersey’s coast last year. Wurst says part of the increase has to do with less pollution.

“We are just not seeing the prevalence of these pollutants, in the form where it would actually hurt them,” Wurst said.

Continue reading on nj1015.com.
Help CWF purchase a boat for our osprey program. Make a donation for the boat and the Osprey Foundation will match your gift and double your impact.

New Jersey’s Ospreys: A Symbol of a Healthy Coast ~ Part III

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Ben Wurst

Support New Jersey’s ospreys with donations matching a $12,500 challenge to help Conserve Wildlife Foundation purchase a boat.

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Surveying a nest on Long Beach Island in 2017, the last year we were able to utilize a state owned boat. photo by Northside Jim.

Ospreys are living barometers. They symbolize the resilience of life along the New Jersey coast. As a top tier predator who feeds exclusively on fish, their collective health is a direct link to the health of our coastal waters. Anyone can tell you that a healthy coast is essential to life at the shore. Clean water with abundant and healthy wildlife equals a booming shore economy. We have all benefited from actions and policy that have protected our air, land and water since the 1970s. Ospreys are no exception.

New Jersey’s Ospreys: A Symbol of a Healthy Coast ~ Part II

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Ben Wurst

Link to Part I
Read full results from last year’s survey in the 2018 NJ Osprey Project Report
Learn more about our Osprey Project

New Jersey’s Ospreys: A Symbol of a Healthy Coast

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Ben Wurst

2018 Becomes most productive year in history.

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

Banding osprey nestlings with red auxiliary bands at a nest off LBI. photo by Northside Jim.

If you live along or visit the coast, then it’s no surprise that ospreys continue to thrive in New Jersey. 2018 was yet another banner year for these coastal nesting raptors. Their large stick nests depict our rivers and estuaries while they indicate that we’re doing a good job of protecting our local environment along the coast. Today we’ve published results from last year’s nesting season in the 2018 New Jersey Osprey Project Report.

Just Beneath the Surface: Junior’s 5 Seconds of Fame

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Ben Wurst

Long Beach Island video series highlights coastal birds of prey and “Junior,” from the Jersey City Falcon Cam!

by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager

When we were contacted to be a part of this LBI centered documentary series, we knew that we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share some of our work with coastal raptors, like the osprey and peregrine falcon, and their importance in the local environment and economy. In this video you’ll see us banding “Junior,” who hatched at the Jersey City Falcon Cam this spring, but was removed from his nest after being examined and found to be malnourished. We was fostered into the falcon nest at Sedge Island. You’ll also see video of ospreys on their nest at sites surrounding Long Beach Island, and interviews with my friend, and CWF supporter, Northside Jim, and Kathy Clark, ENSP Supervisory Zoologist. Continue reading “Just Beneath the Surface: Junior’s 5 Seconds of Fame”