Nickname
042-A-004
Coordinates
(40.778, -74.0898)
Substrate
Bridge
Description
Lift Bridge Nest. This is a starter nest atop the light blue RR Lift Bridge across the Hackensack River. A colleague photographed two young in the nest about 10 days ago but i did not see them on two recent river trips. Both parents were always near the nest on both trips.
Nest appeared to have failed in 2013.
Saw two adults near nest on 07/02/14. Posted photos.
Followers
None
Monitoring groups
What to look for
a
Adult Arrival
Look for 2 adults on the nest. The adult pair will show pair bonding behaviors such as vocalizations, aerial sky dances, and the male feeding the female fish. You may see the pair copulating, which typically begins 14 days before laying eggs.b
Incubation Initiation
Females will lay 1 - 4 eggs at a rate of one egg every 1 - 2 days. After laying, incubation starts. Look for adults taking turns sitting low in the nest incubating eggs. The incubation period can last 35 - 43 days.c
Clutch Hatching
Chicks hatch ~39 days after incubation begins. Look for adults bringing food to the nest and making "head bows" into the center. Chicks typically can't be seen until they are 2 - 3 weeks old, so feeding behavior is the only way to know chicks are there.d
Nestling Count
Around 4 weeks after hatching, look for the heads of chicks to show over the rim of the nest, particularly when adults bring food to the nest. Other times they lie flat and are harder to see. Count the number of chicks in the nest before they learn to flye
Fledgling Count
Chicks begin flying around 7 - 8 weeks old, and are still fed by the adults. Count the number of chicks who have successfully fledged the nest and are observed flying.f
Chick Last Observed
4 - 10 weeks after fledging, chicks begin leaving the nest area to migrate south, once they have learned to fly and feed themselves. Record the date that the last chick left the nest.x
Nest Failure
Look for signs of nest failure like adult abandonment, adults no longer incubating eggs or feeding young.Review All Observations
| 2022 - jmac | 2021 - jmac | 2020 - jmac | 2019 - jmac | 2018 - jmac | 2017 - jmac | 2016 - jmac | 2014 - NJMC Jim | 2012 - NJMC Jim | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| aAdult Arrival | 4/3/22 | 3/30/21 | 4/1/18 | 4/7/18 | 4/7/18 | 4/1/17 | 4/13/16 | ||
| aOccupied | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| aActive | |||||||||
| bEgg Laying | 4/9/22 | 4/11/21 | 4/17/20 | 4/26/18 | 4/25/16 | ||||
| bIncubation Initiation | 4/10/22 | 4/19/20 | 4/21/19 | 4/28/18 | 4/27/16 | ||||
| cClutch Hatching | 5/15/22 | 5/10/21 | 5/25/20 | 5/28/19 | 6/14/18 | 6/2/16 | |||
| dNestlings | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||
| eFledglings | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |||
| eFirst Chick Fledging | 7/14/22 | 7/8/21 | 7/24/19 | 7/24/18 | |||||
| fChicks Last Observed | 7/10/22 | 7/6/21 | |||||||
| xNest Failure | 5/20/17 | 7/29/16 | |||||||
| xReason For Nest Failure | unknown reason |
Select Seasons
Show reports, diaries, and photos from:Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2012
Activity reports
2012 Nest Activity Report by NJMC Jim
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | No | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2014 Nest Activity Report by NJMC Jim
| Adult arrival | Nestlings | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2016 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/13/2016 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 0 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | 04/25/2016 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/27/2016 | Nest failure | 07/29/2016 |
| Clutch hatching | 06/02/2016 | Reason for nest failure | unknown reason |
2017 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/01/2017 | Nestlings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | 05/20/2017 | |
| Clutch hatching | Reason for nest failure |
2018 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/07/2018 | Nestlings | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 3 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/24/2018 | |
| Egg laying | 04/26/2018 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/28/2018 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 06/14/2018 | Reason for nest failure |
2019 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/07/2018 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/24/2019 | |
| Egg laying | Chicks last observed | ||
| Incubation initiation | 04/21/2019 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/28/2019 | Reason for nest failure |
2020 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/01/2018 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | ||
| Egg laying | 04/17/2020 | Chicks last observed | |
| Incubation initiation | 04/19/2020 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/25/2020 | Reason for nest failure |
2021 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 03/30/2021 | Nestlings | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 1 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/08/2021 | |
| Egg laying | 04/11/2021 | Chicks last observed | 07/06/2021 |
| Incubation initiation | Nest failure | ||
| Clutch hatching | 05/10/2021 | Reason for nest failure |
2022 Nest Activity Report by jmac
| Adult arrival | 04/03/2022 | Nestlings | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Occupied | Yes | Fledglings | 2 |
| Nest Active | First chick fledging | 07/14/2022 | |
| Egg laying | 04/09/2022 | Chicks last observed | 07/10/2022 |
| Incubation initiation | 04/10/2022 | Nest failure | |
| Clutch hatching | 05/15/2022 | Reason for nest failure |
Photos of this nest
Nesting Diaries
07/04/2022 by jmac
two good sized chicks alone in the nest. This was the first nest to begin incubating in early April. The chicks are probably ready to fledge
06/14/2022 by jmac
got out on the SUEZ ROW today and could clearly see two chicks. there could be more.
04/10/2022 by jmac
Osprey on the nest as if incubationg. It seems early but we'll see what happens a month from now.
07/22/2021 by jmac
one adult at the nest and another bird flying around. This chick was ready to fledge two weeks ago so I would say it has.
07/06/2021 by jmac
got good views of the nest today by boat with the NJSEA environmentalists today. There is one almost ready to fledge chick on the nest
05/20/2021 by jmac
looking at my photos I can see a good size chick in the nest, probably two weeks old already
04/04/2021 by jmac
There was a bird at the nest today, but another birder has reported to me a pair on it last week
07/16/2020 by jmac
Both chicks on the bridge but no longer on the nest. While I watched one flew back into the nest. Adults flying near by
07/08/2020 by jmac
I could see one chick from the spot a half a mile away. Hopefully I can get out on the river before they fledge for an accurate count
04/19/2020 by jmac
This is the first time I was able to get out on the right of way road thanks to helpful police dept. An Osprey is definitely incubating.
04/05/2020 by jmac
An Osprey sitting in the nest with another on the nearby tower. Could be incubating but I'm not sure
07/15/2019 by jmac
Far view but could see three birds in the nest; not sure if any were adults. I can't get a closer view for a while. I hope they don't fledge before that.
07/07/2019 by jmac
Activity at the nest viewed by scope at a mile away. The nest is active but I will have to get closer to see what the deal is
06/30/2019 by jmac
feeding young; my viewing point was too far to see how many chicks, even with a scope. Hope to get out there by boat soon
06/11/2019 by jmac
one Osprey in the nest shading chick/chicks and another chest deep in water in the river. At first I thought it may be in distress, but after viewing for a while I noticed it was just taking a bath. I don't think I've ever seen this behavior in an osprey before.
03/31/2019 by jmac
No birds yet on this nest. This pair was very late last year compared to the other nests that I observe.
07/30/2018 by jmac
four birds at the nest or nearby structure. Two were definitely fledglings, couldn't say for sure what the other two were. Only one bird in the nest.
07/22/2018 by jmac
I got a report today that all three chicks were in the nest. I was concerned that the one that was down by the river wouldn't make it back up to the nest, but apparently it did.
07/18/2018 by jmac
only two chicks in the nest today, and then I saw the third chick down on a concrete base of the bridge. I noticed that the other two were trying out their wings, lifting from the nest, so I hope the third bird fledges soon. He should be safe here because he is surrounded by the river as long as he doesn't fall in
05/05/2018 by jmac
some drama at this nest today while I watched. A murder of fish crows attacked the female on the nest and got her to come off and chase them. The male came rushing in and protected the nest. Eventually the crows left and the female got back on the nest. I'm sure they were after her eggs.
03/24/2018 by jmac
no birds observed at the nest, but the nest appears to be repaired and enlarged. Only observed for about 10 minutes
05/26/2017 by jmac
both birds on the adjacent tower but not on the nest. In fact there were pigeons in the nest. It has failed for some reason.
05/20/2017 by jmac
didn't appear to have a bird on the nest today. two birds were on the tower near by. Not a good sign. will check again nest week
04/20/2017 by jmac
could see two birds on the nest today with the scope from Laurel Hill Park, It does not appear that they are incubating yet
04/19/2017 by jmac
One bird at the nest when I first got there, after a while another bird was in the area, but the nest bird seemed to be chasing it. The nest is much larger than when I first saw it before the birds arrived
04/01/2017 by jmac
Checked the nest today from Laurel Hill Park with a scope and could see two birds on nest.
08/04/2016 by jmac
again no sign of the nestling. One adult on the tower, the other bringing nesting material but no sign of the nestling. Not a good sign
07/30/2016 by jmac
One adult on the nest, another bird on the nearby transmission tower. no sign of the chick
07/10/2016 by jmac
all is well with this nest and their chick. Male continues to bring nesting material to the nest. I've noticed this behavior with almost all my nest: they continue to build up the nest even when raising chicks.
05/27/2016 by jmac
bird incubating while it's mate sits near by. It was morning at rush hour with trains going to and from Manhattan every few minutes and the birds dont seem to mind. Pic attached. The nest is on top at the center.
06/22/2014 by Kristen3159