Community Corner

An Osprey Birthday At Island Beach State Park

One baby bird visible on nest by park's interpretive center, two more eggs to go!

 

The mother osprey sat patiently on the nest, day after day, night after night. She didn't move during a deluge a few weeks ago. She didn't budge, even when the temperatures dipped into the 40s.

Dad also took his turns on the nest and foraged for fish. Sunday their vigilance was rewarded when the first of three baby birds cracked through its rust-colored shell and entered the world.

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"Multiple contributors are reporting a hatch!," a group member wrote on the Friends Of Island Beach State Park facebook page. "What are you observing?? Please take screenshots and post. Thank you! SO EXCITING!!"

Ocean County residents and beyond have watched the osprey couple since they first flew to the nest back in mid-March. They watched as the birds carefully constructed a fortress of branches on the nest 40 feet up in the air near the park's interpretive center.

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The saga all comes courtesy of the Friends of Island Beach State Park's osprey cam.

Berkeley Patch plans to keep the "osprey cam" a running feature so visitors can watch as the eggs hatch and the chicks emerge.

The non-profit Friends group purchased the camera and the solar panels to power the camera for about $10,000 back in October to prepare for the spring return. The camera is equipped with night vision and runs 24 hours a day, said Rita Carey, who chairs the Friends' "Osprey Cam" committee.

"It takes a lot of focus and team work to monitor the camera and respond when needed, so please consider making a donation to FOIBSP," the Facebook page states. Thank you for your continued support!"

You can watch the osprey cam streaming live on the Friends' website, here, and follow their progress as they prepare for and raise their chicks.

For more information on the Friends, visit their website, here.


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