Ocean County Bald Eagles

The Jersey Shore becomes a haven for the American Bald Eagle

Bald eagles were once plentiful in New Jersey and Ocean County. But by 1982, there was only one known nest and that nest had failed for 8 successive years. A group of scientists in the Endangered and Non-Game Species Program (ENSP) of the New Jersey Fish, Game and Wildlife department decided to do something about it. Through dedication, the ENSP re-introduced bald eagles into New Jersey.

New Jersey's eagles, which reached a record population of 333 birds and 82 eagle pairs actively laying eggs last year, according to an annual report released by the state earlier this month is evidence of a comeback.

That's a dramatic increase from 30 years ago, when only one nest remained in the state - with New Jersey's population of eagles nearly wiped out by habitat loss, human disturbance and the widespread use of the pesticide DDT.

Since 1982, the state has monitored the bald eagle population. The data that they have collected has provided important information about the health of the eagles and the health of the environment. Also, the data has been used to protect critical habitat for bald eagles.

The Trust for Public Lands (TPL), a preservation group, has purchased 243 acres which is surrounded by 588 acres of previously protected land on The Jersey Shore. The Trust used a combination of donations and loans amounting to $550,500, and will be reimbursed by the Fish and Wildlife Service through a $35.7 million federal appropriation earmarked for refuge acquisitions and wetlands grants to benefit migrating birds throughout the nation.

Peregrine falcons, bald eagles, northern harriers, osprey, and red-shouldered hawks are among the birds that roost in the tidal marsh and forest that make up what is commonly called the Murray Grove property.

The land is located between Barnegat Bay and the famous Unitarian Universalist retreat in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township. Naturalists and fishermen know the area best as a complex mix of pools, mud flats and waterways that include Hancy's Pond, Stumpy Pond Creek, Bony Creek, Wire Creek Pond and Stouts Creek.

Because of the critical importance of this property to the health of Barnegat Bay and the the refuge, TPL assembled funding to purchase and hold the property until federal funds are available for adding it to the refuge.

Karl Hess, The Jersey Shore and Ocean County Real Estate