Ravens 4, Ospreys 0
Mixed success for the Meadowlands' newest nesting
birds
By
Hugh M. Carola
An amazing four ravens were hatched and successfully fledged (left the nest) by late May. Before they flew, literally hundreds of people had the opportunity to observe the nest and the young. Birders taking part in the 23rd Annual World Series of Birding on May 13 (see pages 18-19) were fortunate to be able to list them. What made the birds' choice of nest site amazing was that until this year, the only other known New Jersey nest sites were in Sussex and Warren Counties - a far cry from Laurel Hill's noisy, urban location. From a distance, and while the ravens were still nestbound, it was difficult to appreciate just how large these birds really are. Non-birders seeing them for the first time often remarked, "They look like crows; what's the fuss about?" Well, once they began flying and exploring the environs of Laurel Hill Park (including the boat launch parking area with its many perch-able lampposts) people saw just what these amazing birds were really like. In addition to being twice as large as crows, ravens are much more tolerant of people and often strutted about the parking lot with an "attitude." All six have since moved on to parts unknown; hopefully the adults will return next spring. Unfortunately the Ospreys were not as successful.
By late May, even though it was impossible to look down into the nest, we were all but certain that eggs had been laid. During every Eco-Cruise, we observed one of the parents hunkered down on the nest, protecting the eggs from gulls that always seemed to be waiting for a chance to rob them. By mid-June, the parent's posture changed. No longer were they hunkered down but instead would perch on the edge of the platform with their attentions fixed on the new life within the nest. It was obvious to all of us that the young had hatched. Despite their fierce reputations, it's not easy being a bird of prey. Most ornithologists agree that upwards of fifty percent of all raptors (hawks, eagles & falcons) hatched die before their first birthday. Most mortality occurs within the first two months, and that's exactly what happened to the first Ospreys to hatch on the banks of the Hackensack River in over fifty years. Here's what we know: Sometime around the third week of June an outdoor lamp - similar to a streetlight - burned out at the Hudson Generating Station. Unfortunately the lamp was located fairly close to the nest platform so plant management had a difficult decision to make: either replace the lamp and possibly disturb the Ospreys or; wait to replace the lamp and possibly put workers' safety at risk since company vehicles frequently pass by. After careful consideration, it was decided to change the lamp. Soon after or more likely, during the work, the roosting parent was spooked off the nest and gulls - which had been hanging around the site for months - swooped in and killed the nestlings.
One thing we've learned over the years is that nesting Ospreys generally don't mind people as long as they are moving, but once you stop and linger, they begin to get upset. The longer you remain within their comfort zone, the more upset they get until evolution takes over and they escape the threat they perceive you to be. Once they leave, gulls only do what comes natural to their species; after all, they have young of their own to raise. Nature isn't always pretty but it's always educational.
Fortunately raptors tend to return each year even if previous nesting attempts have been unsuccessful and we have every expectation that they'll be back in 2007. Additionally, a second pair of Ospreys have been observed in the Meadowlands this year and although they haven't nested we're hoping that next year will see two pairs of this amazing bird of prey at home in the Meadowlands.
One final note: Everyone at PSE&G has been supportive, helpful and proud that Ospreys chose to nest on their property. They were just as disappointed as Captain Bill and me over what happened. Without question, they did everything they possibly could to ensure that the birds would be undisturbed, and no one should fault them for the decision they made to ensure the safety of their workers. |
In our last issue of Tidelines we announced that a pair of
Common ravens was nesting on Laurel Hill and that Ospreys had once again taken
up residence on a nest platform at the Public Service Electric & Gas
(PSE&G) Hudson Generating Station in Jersey City. As reported, the ravens
successfully hatched young, and by early June it was obvious that the Ospreys
had followed suit. As you will soon read however, each had very different
outcomes. First the good news…
Captain Bill and I, along with staffers from the NJ
Meadowlands Commission and the NJ Audubon Society, maintained a good watch on
the PSE&G platform beginning in April when the birds returned. At the same
time, the plant's management team was made aware of their new
"tenants" and PSE&G gladly accepted the responsibilities of
hosting a Threatened Species on their property.