http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project 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. Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:37:17 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Winners%20to%202008%20Osprey%20Homecoming%20Discovery%20Contest.htmlhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Winners%20to%202008%20Osprey%20Homecoming%20Discovery%20Contest.htmlSat, 22 Mar 2008 16:0:27 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Autumn%202007%20Pews%20Creek%20Osprey%20Nest%20Inspection.htmlhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Autumn%202007%20Pews%20Creek%20Osprey%20Nest%20Inspection.htmlOn Saturday afternoon, Oct 20, 2007 Steve Taylor of Middletown Env Comm and I (Joe Martin, Friends of Pews Creek) inspected the Pews Creek Osprey nest. No bird sightings by Vic or myself in a couple of weeks so we assumed that the nest was vacated and safe for approach. As we approached a crow was seen on nest.Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:0:44 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Putting%20up%20an%20Osprey%20Platform%20near%20Compton%92s%20Creekhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Putting%20up%20an%20Osprey%20Platform%20near%20Compton%92s%20CreekSun, 18 Mar 2007 21:11:44 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Putting%20up%20an%20Osprey%20Platform%20near%20Pews%20Creekhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Putting%20up%20an%20Osprey%20Platform%20near%20Pews%20CreekSun, 18 Mar 2007 20:41:0 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/OSPREYS%20ARRIVE%20TO%20SANDY%20HOOK%20BAYhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/OSPREYS%20ARRIVE%20TO%20SANDY%20HOOK%20BAYFri, 22 Jul 2011 12:32:2 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Ospreys%20in%20the%20Bayshorehttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Ospreys%20in%20the%20BayshoreVarious pictures of ospreys and their home in the Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook BaySat, 3 Feb 2007 22:41:37 EST http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Osprey%20Recovery%20Project%20in%20New%20Jerseyhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Osprey%20Recovery%20Project%20in%20New%20JerseyThe Osprey Recovery Project was begun very informally in 1991 when a routine kayak trip in the back bays of Atlantic County revealed that suitable nesting habitat was so depleted for Osprey that they were nesting on the ground. Seeking a better nest habitat, a variety of designs were developed, built, and installed.Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:28:18 EDT http://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Osprey%20Tower%20Nesting%20Platform%94%20environmental%20grant%20program%20for%202007.htmlhttp://www.bayshorewatershed.org/bw/Insiders%20Guide/Osprey%20Nest%20Monitoring%20Project/Osprey%20Tower%20Nesting%20Platform%94%20environmental%20grant%20program%20for%202007.htmlVerizon Communications NJ is proud to announce its “Osprey Tower Nesting Platform” environmental grant program for 2007. Verizon will be offering $500. grants to 10 municipal environmental commissions located in Monmouth and Ocean Counties (total of $5,000.).Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:20:45 EST