In New Jersey, ospreys are one of nature’s great comeback stories. Pesticide use put these beautiful raptors on the endangered species list in the 1970s, but conservation efforts have helped their populations bounce back beyond historic levels, with 733 nesting pairs recorded in New Jersey’s 2022 census.
Ospreys migrate to New Jersey’s marshes and estuaries each year, arriving in March from southern wintering grounds. You may see them active on one of the many wooden nesting platforms that communities and conservationists installed over time near larger bodies of water. And, thanks to modern technology and the application of a little elbow grease, you and your family can also observe them from the comfort of your own home.
A live-streaming osprey camera at The Nature Conservancy’s South Cape May Meadows Preserve offers you and your kids an up-close and personal look at the daily lives of these charismatic birds, from nest building, feeding and nap time to chicks taking their first flight. The Osprey nest cam is a full reality show with poignant moments, silly squabbles, unexpected visitors, comedy and drama—better than much of the programming available commercially these days! Take a look below. The Osprey are almost ready to hatch!
Ospreys are captivating birds that are sure to win over the whole family. Once they arrive in New Jersey in early spring, they “decorate” their nest by reinforcing it with sticks, grasses and (sadly) sometimes even plastic litter. The female typically lays 2-3 eggs in late April or early May, and excitement builds for the chicks to hatch, usually occurring in late May to early June.
For about two months, the doting parents will bring in a steady supply of fish to feed the youngsters (and themselves). Ospreys are also called “fish-hawks” because the majority of their diet is fish. They catch them in their large talons—almost always with the fish facing forward—and fly back to the nest to consume or share their prized meal.
The chicks will grow and begin to stretch and test their wings, and one day they will take their first flight. In September or October, all the ospreys will head south to warmer conditions in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America or South America, and the cycle starts again.
The Nature Conservancy offers some fun, interactive ways to enhance your osprey peeping. Check out their Osprey Camera Kit for entertaining and educational activities the whole family can enjoy:
- Quiz for Kids: Forget Trivial Pursuit…guide your child through an osprey fact sheet and let them show off what they have learned with a fun online quiz! Also available as a printed version and answer key.
- Quiz for Adults: Keep your mind sharp by reading the fact sheet and additional resources we’ve provided, then see if you can ace this online osprey quiz! Also available as a printed version and answer key.
- Osprey Camera Field Notes: Equip your kids with this worksheet to record osprey nest observations like a real scientist! Plan quick check-ins to discuss their findings every few days.
- Nest Scavenger Hunt: Check off nest activities as you see them happen in real-time with a fun scavenger hunt.
- Osprey Nest Tutorial: Learn how to make your very own osprey nest with this fun craft tutorial video.
LILY MULLOCK / THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
Read More:
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Top 10 Family-Friendly Nature Adventures in New Jersey
Birds of NJ: Figure Out What’s In Your Backyard
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