New Jersey Osprey Through Photo’s

Now a common sight in coastal New Jersey, these migratory raptor's were nearly extirpated from the Garden State at one point.

In 1974 only 50 nest remained in New Jersey.

This was primarily the result of the spraying of the pesticide DDT. It hampered the female Osprey's ability to effectively develop calcium-rich eggshells, and the result was eggs that broke before they could hatch.

After the banning of DDT, and the building of nesting structures such as the one pictured above, the population rebounded remarkably.

Today there are over 800 nest in the state. However, this succes is beginning to falter.

During the nesting season, April-August, male osprey do 100% of the foraging. They are primarily fishing for Menhaden, a fish that has "evolved to be eaten" and is the primary food source for many other aquatic and non-aquatic species.

For reason's not completely understood Osprey are dependent on Menahden; It is an evolutionary dependence we can only ponder.
The problem with this is Menahden populations are dwindling, and this has been known since, at the latest, 1880.

So while the female Osprey incubate the eggs, the males are not returning as often as they need to be with fish. They cannot find enough for both adults.
As a result the female has no choice but to leave the nest eventually to find food, causing the nest to fail. This has shown in the nesting success rate recently.

So although the population is stable right now, their future is uncertain at best. We do not completely know why Menahden are at such un-sustainably low numbers, but we are beginning to see the effects. 
Over-fishing for over a century, the slowing of the AMOC, Climate Change and warming sea's all undoubtly have an effect. However, which is effecting them worst is unknown.