Ospreys are large raptors found along coastlines, rivers, and lakes worldwide (except Antarctica). With a wingspan of up to nearly six feet, striking dark eye stripes, and the unique ability to dive feet-first into the water to catch fish, they are one of the most recognizable birds of prey along the NJ coast. Unlike many raptors, ospreys eat almost exclusively fish, making them especially dependent on healthy aquatic ecosystems. In the Barnegat Bay region, Atlantic menhaden are among their most important food sources.
Each summer, the return of ospreys to our waterways is a highlight of the season. These birds are more than a familiar sight above the bay, they are bioindicators, or a species whose status serves as an indicator of ecosystem health. Because their success depends on the abundance of forage fish, monitoring osprey nests provides valuable insight into the condition of the entire coastal ecosystem.
Ben Wurst, of Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, has been studying ospreys in the region for nearly 20 years. Ben notes that in his career, he’s had the privilege of watching osprey populations nearly double in NJ. This summer, however, he noticed some osprey colonies facing challenges in productivity. At locations like Sedge Island and Long Beach Island, nest success was lower than in previous years, with brood reduction in some cases. Why might this be? The answer is relatively simple: with a reduction in food availability, ospreys face a reduction in productivity.
The Barnegat Bay ecosystem food web is complex and interconnected. Species populations that rely on consistently ideal water quality, such as the filter feeding Atlantic menhaden, become stressed with variations in plankton communities, oxygen levels, and nutrient loading. This summer, anecdotal evidence as well as preliminary data collected as part of the Barnegat Bay Partnership’s Long Term Juvenile Nekton Study indicate fewer numbers of menhaden in the bay. This, in turn, has potentially led to stressful foraging conditions for the osprey, highlighting the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of fish populations and osprey success.
Despite this season’s setbacks, the bigger picture is still encouraging. Ospreys in New Jersey have made a remarkable comeback since the 1970s, when their numbers dropped to fewer than 60 nesting pairs due to pesticide use and habitat loss. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, habitat protection, and community involvement, more than 800 pairs nest across the state. Their resilience demonstrates the progress possible when people and organizations commit to protecting wildlife.
The Barnegat Bay Partnership works alongside groups like Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey to support ongoing monitoring and stewardship. Community members can play a role, too. Opportunities include volunteering to help monitor osprey platforms, reporting nest activity, participating in educational programs, or supporting conservation projects through donations. Even everyday choices, such as reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, planting native vegetation, or sharing knowledge with neighbors, contribute to healthier habitats for both ospreys and people.
By working together, we can ensure that ospreys continue to soar above Barnegat Bay for generations to come. Their story is not only one of recovery but also of resilience and the positive impact of community action in conservation.
