Saw one osprey on the nest this morning around 11:00 am. The osprey was leaning into the nest, possibly feeding young. Only one quick glimpse--it's hard to watch birds when you're driving down the highway! It's very exciting to have them back!
In 2016, an osprey pair attempted to create a nest in the telephone line along Route 36 in Union Beach along the IFF property. IFF built a platform for the nest and moved it during the night, but road construction had been on-going along this section of 36 for several weeks, and the noise and night work seemed to disturb the birds. Although we watched closely, there did not appear to be any nestlings that year. In 2017, the ospreys were back! This time, it appeared as though they were able to raise nestlings and their first successful season at this site was done. We enjoyed catching them in flight or on the nest as we drove through the area. In both 2018 and 2019 the birds re-appeared each year, and we caught them at various points feeding chicks, and occasionally saw the nestlings on the nest, with one of the adults perched on the nest or nearby. Today I had my first sighting of one of the adults. I think it was the female, and she was crouched over the nest regurgitating food, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if they've been around and we've been missing them, or if they had just arrived and were repairing the nest. I'm sure the other adult was hunting in the nearby quarry or along the shore. We'll keep an eye on them to see what they are up to as far as nesting and raising a brood! We are very excited to be able to watch these magnificent birds for yet another season!