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| Osprey Nest Monitoring Project Osprey populations throughout the United States suffered serious decline in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, largely due to the effects of the pesticide DDT, potentially harmful chemical compounds known as PCBs and other contaminants. Fortunately, after DDT and most PCB uses were banned in the 1970s, the population of this fish-eating raptor has recovered markedly, even in the face of residual contamination and continuing trash and pollution in the environment. Within the Bayshore region of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, New Jersey, the osprey has had help in soaring again. Many volunteers since the early 1990s have assisted in the osprey’s recovery by taking the lead constructing, installing, repairing and replacing osprey platforms throughout the Raritan Bay & Sandy Hook Bay watershed region. In 2009, volunteers with the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council started an Osprey Nest Monitoring Project to monitor all nests in the Raritan Bay – Sandy Hook Bay watershed region throughout the nesting season. The Osprey Nest Monitoring Project allows volunteers to fill in the gaps left by state wildlife biologists by monitoring osprey platforms and nests near their home or workplace. All data will add to a better understanding of osprey arrival dates, nest success and other aspects of osprey biology in the state. This knowledge also will enhance the state’s surveys and support conservation decisions for osprey. Data gathered about this majestic bird also can serve as indicators of environmental health. Because ospreys are high on the food chain and eat foods—primarily fish—that accumulate toxins, their status can foretell problems that also may affect humans.
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