This nest is located on the second level of an electric pylon at the northwest corner of what is now a super fund site. The paper factory is completely demolished. The pylon appears to be decommissioned, the wires do not continue across NJ route 29 that I could see.
12:15 p.m. I drove by so I stopped to check on this nest. I saw only one of the three fledglings, perched alone on the wooden structure that is east of the nest tower. I saw no other osprey today, but didn't stay long.
4:00 p.m. I stopped by this nest tower area hoping to see the two fledglings that I had discovered very late in the season (on 8/5), or better still, to see that there were THREE! I was rewarded by the THREE fledglings all perched together on another decommissioned tower standing in front of the nest tower. THREE FLEDGLINGS CONFIRMED!! It is a good thing that I discovered these when I did as they will surely be leaving the area soon.
12:15 p.m. I decided to take another, closer look at the tower in the northwest corner of this super fund site which I mention in the entry from July 17. I had looked on a very zoomed in Google Earth, satellite view, and there was definitely a tower! Sure enough! It is a good thing I looked more closely today, with different lighting because I not only spotted a nest, but TWO FLEDGLINGS! It is possible these two were both branching, but I assume they have fledged. If there is a third sibling, it was off somewhere. I will try to check again but it is good I spotted these two as they won't be around the nest much longer! I can't believe I missed this entirely on July 17, but in my defense, the lighting on the tower was poor as it was 7:30 p.m. and quite in shadow. The tower appears to be decommissioned. The wires drape down to the ground and do not cross the road (I had looked for wires when trying to find this "electric pylon" the first time). In addition, the tower is covered with green, growing vines--camouflaged rather effectively--making the tower blend in well with the green background! It is difficult to get very close as the entire site is surrounded by chain-link fence and off-limits. In any case, two beautiful chicks were present thus boosting our successful Delaware/Northwest Jersey nest success and chick count!
The Crown Paper factory no longer exists; it has been completely razed. The entire area is fenced in and is a super fund site. There is no electric pylon here. There is a tower visible on satellite view which sits at the northwest corner of what is now the super fund site. I did not see any nest in this tower. There is no evidence of nesting on a smaller transmission tower to the south where last year, on that line to the south (the one listed as nest #3530), the ospreys nested on the PA side, right along route 32 (nest/tower #7408/Red Cliff Village). This nest in PA was not active this year either.
There is a cell tower in the town of Milford a half mile to the north which bears watching, but as of July 17, there was no evidence of nesting on this cell tower, just a flock of vultures. Should an osprey pair decide to nest on the cell tower in town, a new listing can be added. I will keep an eye on this cell tower next season.
Past Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2019
Activity reports
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries