Eagle Scout project helps ospreys at Cheesequake State Park

One Cedar Grove Boy Scout, Dylan Green, chose for his Eagle Scout project chose to help a bird species other than an eagle that is also threatened in New Jersey. He coordinated the construction and installation of three osprey nesting platforms in Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge.

Dylan had an earlier interest in raptors having brought orphaned birds to the Raptor Trust wild-bird rehabilitation center in Long Hill Township.

Ospreys are the only water-based raptors in America. These "fish hawks" are one of New Jersey’s largest raptors. They are well known and highly visible along coastal marshes. When hunting, they can completely submerge in water for fish which makes up almost all of their diet.

Ospreys winter in southern Florida and South America, but return to their previous nesting areas north to breed.

Osprey - photo via flickr.com/photos/albertovo5

Another species, like the eagle, that has been threatened by the past use of certain pesticides and loss of their natural habitat, the osprey is a threatened species of wildlife in New Jersey.

Listed as endangered in New Jersey in 1973, the osprey’s status rose to “threatened” in 1986 due to an increase in pairings increased from about 50 to more than 100. And our coastal sightings in NJ for 2017 were at 668 pairings.

Dylan worked with Ben Wurst, a habitat program manager for the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Environmentalists began providing platforms for nesting in the 1970s and today about 75 percent of the state's ospreys nest in platforms.

The nesting areas have a 3-foot perch for the birds on 16-foot posts. Like many Scout projects, Dylan had many helpers. Major Hardware, a Cedar Grove store, donated all the hardware and
West Essex Building Supply Co. in nearby Verona discounted the lumber. The project cost still amounted to $1400 for the three platforms.

Eagle Scout project helps ospreys - via northjersey.com

Cheesequake State Park

Cheesequake State Park is just off the Garden State Parkway. This 1,274-acre park in Old Bridge, Middlesex County, has fishing, kayaking, hiking and camping available among the coastal wetlands and forests also make for quality and sometimes surprising getaways in the well-developed Raritan Bay region.

“Cheesequake State Park is another jewel in the state’s incredible park system, offering our residents a wealth of affordable recreational opportunities and not far from home,’’ said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “We urge residents from all parts of the state to take a drive, spend a day and explore this terrific venue.’’

Self-guided tours are also available for visiting kayakers who’d like to navigate the well-marked Cheesequake Water Trail. A corresponding, waterproof brochure pointing out historic locations and unique plants and wildlife is available.

For those who enjoy the simple pleasures of enjoying a park on foot, Cheesequake also has much to offer. There are five designated trails ranging from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 miles. The Red, Yellow, Green and Blue trails, which range from easy to moderate with inclines, are for hiking and walking. The multi-use White trail is for hikers and mountain bikers.

The fresh-water fishing of Hooks Creek Lake – about six acres large – offers ample opportunity to land a trout, bass, catfish or sunfish, while crabbing from the ADA-accessible Crabbing Bridge is also available.

More than 40 tent and trailer sites with fire ringers and picnic tables are available for campers. Each site has flush toilets and shower facility within walking distance. The summer fun continues with swimming and boating on the lake, but there are certainly those who enjoy the fall hikes and winter sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available at the park.

SOURCE: http://www.nj.gov/dep/daw/cheesequake/