Local Bald Eagles Thrive as State Population Reaches Milestone
Bald eagle nesting sites nearby in Brick, Toms River
Bald eagles are continuing to nest at two sites in the local area, one in northern Brick Township and another on the border of Brick and Toms River.
In what the state Department of Environmental Protection has called a "dramatic" recovery of the bald eagle population, the local nesting sites in northern Ocean County are two of more than 100 nesting pairs that can be found statewide, an important milestone for state environmental officials.
DEP spokesman Larry Ragonese confirmed that state officials have identified nesting pairs near Kettle Creek, on the border of Brick and Toms River, as well as in northern Brick, near the border with Wall Township, on the Manasquan River. Bald eagles there are often found flying over Lightning Jack's III Marina at the terminus of Ridge Road.
John Zingis, a Brick resident who lives on the Tunes Brook branch of Kettle Creek, also confirmed the bald eagle pairs are sticking around year-round near the Advance Auto Parts store on Hooper Avenue.
"Last weekend, I saw at least a pair up in the nest, just hanging out," Zingis said, adding that he's also seen the majestic birds feeding lately.
"We've had an exceptionally warm fall, so it hasn't pushed them down south," Zingis, who is also an environmental engineer, said.
Eagles primarily depend on fish for survival, making Ocean County a prime area for an eagle population. The bulk of the state's bald eagles, to the tune of 60 percent, make their nests on the Delaware Bay in Cumberland and Salem counties, according to state tallies.
A survey completed by the DEP's Endangered and Nongame Species Program counted 102 pairs of actively nesting eagles statewide, plus 11 more pairs in the process of establishing nesting territories. Statewide, 75 percent of the nests successfully produced offspring this year. A total of 119 eagle chicks were hatched, for a success rate of 1.25 per active nest.
Figures released by the DEP earlier this month confirmed the overall number of eagles counted in the survey stood at 238. That figure was 28 percent lower than the record 333 observed in 2010, most likely due to snow and high winds impairing the visibility of observers last winter.
"The recovery of the bald eagle from one nesting pair in an isolated swamp in southern New Jersey in the early 1980s to more than 100 pairs today is a truly remarkable success story that is a testament to the excellent work that has been done to manage the species, and to how far we've come as a state in restoring and protecting our environment," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement.
Despite a recent population surge in the Garden State, the bald eagle remains listed as an endangered species in New Jersey. The federal government removed the bald eagle from its endangered species list in 2007; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now overseeing a 20-year recovery monitoring period.
Sean Conneamhe
7:06 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
"The Eagle has returned."
clamdigger
11:38 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
let me guess....Gene Hackman in "Mooseport"?
Mare
7:48 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
In the 80's the thought of this would have been nothing more than a fantasy.
It's amazing that they are back and we need to keep them safe. Great story!
Laraine
8:33 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Next to the 9-11 monument the eagles are the most honorable thing bestowed upon us.
Mark Story Jenks
8:40 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Great story, Dan.
The nest on Turkey Point just upriver from my house has been active for at least five years or more now. The birds fly by my house on a regular basis. They sometime eye my Bantams and circle the house.
Mark Story Jenks
9:00 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
When the river freezes over, we throw fish carcasses out on the ice for them. Sometimes it takes a day or two to find them, but when they do they seem to relish it. Last winter one day there were two adults and a juvinile on the ice enjoying a snack. Wish I knew what I did with the pictures.
Concerned Brick Citizen
9:25 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
I live on the Metedeconk and spotted one landing on my neighbor's oak tree. When I tried to snap a photo he/she took flight. Just beautiful!
Art Sholty
10:29 am on Thursday, December 29, 2011
I disagreed with Ben Franklin's effort to have the Turkey become our national symbol. I guess he was chasing all the pretty ladies in Paris to realize that the turkey is the dumbest animal going. Whom ever came up with the idea for the Balde Eagle was right on. We need more eagles. Good article.
Art Solty
Watchman
1:40 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Art I don't know why you consided the wild turkey dumb.It's come back in both the U.S. and N.J.is much greater than the eagle.This from a bird that lays eggs on the ground that are eaten by foxes,opossum,raccoon etc.And we love to eat them.We even named a bourbon after them.If you ever hunted them you would find out how smarty they really are.No charge for the free nature lesson.Most people don't know Ben wanted the wild turkey to be the national bird.
Concerned Brick Citizen
3:58 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wild turkeys are just as beautiful as the bald eagle. Growing up in PA these guys were all around my home. I think they are the PA state bird. Domesticated turkeys (The white feathered breed) seem to be the "dumb" breed running into themselves, etc.
True wild turkeys are hard to sneak up on. Ned Smith a local artist where I grew up and whom I had the pleasure to meet and know captured some stunning images of the wild turkey. http://store.colemans.com/cart/hillside-takeoff-print-p-1023.html other work http://www.colemans.com/ned.htm Visit Ned Smith Center for Nature http://www.nedsmithcenter.org/
Brian Fredricks
4:44 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Just last month an adult eagle and two juveniles were soaring over the Brick resevoir. I assumed they were from the manasquan area. I would predict that a nesting pair will bless the Brick's beautiful resevoir in the next couple three years.
John Ciocco
6:07 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thanks for the story Dan, this is a great home town story!
clamdigger
11:44 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
does anyone know a good place to walk and have a good chance to see them,possibly close up or w/ a small pair of binocs?
Mark Story Jenks
3:43 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
Clam, anywhere along the Manasquan River Where you can park or walk near the water you'll have a good chance of seeing one or more. You'll know when one is soaring nearby when you see all the ducks suddenly take flight off the water. They see the Eagle before you will, and they scatter because they don't want to be a "sitting duck". Bald Eagles will snatch ducks and even seagulls if they are hungry enough. We've seen it happen.
Mark Story Jenks
6:53 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
They can often be seen around Lightning Jacks Marina at the top of the Manasquan River, also. The Turkey Point nest is very nearby.
Mare
6:54 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
The reply button wouldn't work. The ruffed grouse is the state bird of PA. We have a home/cabin in north central PA and there is still an abundance of turkey. The ruffed grouse is hard to find, but turkeys are everywhere.