Cold Weather Ices Over Installations

This winter has been cold. Bone-chilling cold. Arctic winds have blanketed our area for some time now. They have drastically reduced surface water temperatures to the point where small bays, creeks, and ditches are frozen over. These cold temperatures have also delayed any osprey platform work (repairs and installations) until March unless temperatures rise for an extended period of time.

I have three platforms that are built and need to be installed. One in Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor, and Fortescue.

Several more platforms need repairs. Two need repairs on the Mullica River. One in Somers Point, and a few more.

Currently plans are being made to construct several more (six) osprey platforms in early February (weather permitting) at my house in New Gretna. If you are interested in helping out with repairs or installations, please let me know.

-Ben

609.628.2103

ben.wurst@conservewildlifenj.org

New Year's Resolution

 

Although my New Year's resolution may not have been related to my work with ospreys, my concentration on working to restore the state's population to historic numbers still remains the same. In 2010, I am sure we will see an increase in the state's population. Since 2003, the productivity rate (or reproductive rate) has been high (twice the average known to only sustain the population) and there are plenty of new suitable nesting structures around the Atlantic coastal areas of the state. Over the next three months, despite the freezing weather I will be constructing nest platforms, repairing old ones, and installing several new structures.

My friends Greg and Joe help load and transport platforms 

onto the marsh in March '09.

Happy New Year and stay tuned for updates on our winter work to provide more suitable nesting structures for ospreys in 2010!!!