Over the past four decades, the once threatened Osprey population has made an incredible resurgence. With this exciting increase in population came a lack of adequate nesting environments, limiting successful breeding efforts. Ospreys seek to build nests in the highest places in marshes, such as tall dead trees and utility poles, which are vulnerable to human and environmental intervention. To assist in the recovery of the Osprey population in the Meadowlands, the NJSEA has constructed numerous nesting platforms across the region.

Within the past weeks, a breeding pair of Ospreys has returned to one of the nesting platforms in the Meadowlands marshes (top picture). A newly deployed camera has allowed staff to excitedly monitor the activity and breeding success of this pair.

As demonstrated by this pair, Ospreys typically arrive on breeding grounds in late March to begin nest building. If breeding is successful, two to four eggs will be laid by mid-April to early May. The incubation period lasts roughly five weeks, followed by seven to eight weeks of raising the chicks. The summer will then be spent learning to fly and hunt in preparation of fall migration.

With luck, our breeding pair will be successful this spring and we will be able to follow the chicks along their journey. We hope to eventually find a way to live stream footage from the tower to the public. For now, weekly updates, photos, and videos will be available via our Instagram (@mrri_njmeadowlands).