The Real Ospreys of New Jersey: Duke, Dixie and the Great Egg Heist
- R.C. Staab
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Before the tourist arrive in droves, Spring at Barnegat Light on Long Beach Island is usually a time of hope and feathered romance as observed by people every day on the Osprey Cam that viewed for free on YouTube and NatureChat.org by the thousands each year, brought to you by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
This year’s episode of The Real Ospreys of New Jersey had an unexpected dramatic twist that even MTV Jersey Shore's Snooki and Pauly D couldn’t have anticipated. Duke, the seasoned male osprey with a banded past from nearby Sedge Island at Island Beach State Park paired up with a new female, Dixie, after his longtime mate Daisy didn’t return. The pair worked hard, fending off rivals, building their nest and laying a clutch of eggs that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Mother Nature had a different plan
A fierce nor’easter swept through, making it nearly impossible for Duke to find fish and provide for the family. With Duke missing for days and Dixie forced to leave the nest hungry and vulnerable, a crafty herring gull swooped in and stole two of their precious eggs, leaving only one behind. Despite the heartbreak, the story isn’t over—there’s still hope for next season’s drama and new chicks to hatch as Duke and Dixie strengthen their bond throughout the summer.
What happens next season?
Will 2026 bring another gripping drama? According to Ben Wurst, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s osprey expert, viewers and wildlife lovers can make sure that happens with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s campaign to raise $5,000 to buy and install a new web camera when Duke and Dixie head south for their separate winter vacations.
Name a nest after, you or your family
Wurst says, “For anyone who donates $500 or more can have an osprey nest or one of our new banded birds – often know just by a number -- named after them, their family, or friends at the Jersey Shore.” Imagine your name forever linked to these remarkable birds, watching over the nest as Duke and his successors soar above the New Jersey coast.
Which nest or birds will carry the family name?
There are hundreds of osprey nests in or near every town on the Jersey Shore, so donors can choose one that they often pass by. It’s a unique way to make a lasting impact on local wildlife conservation and join a community of osprey supporters and wildlife lovers.
Upgrading the camera
Why a new osprey cam? Wurst says that just like any other tech devices such as computers, the cams wear out and need replaced. The osprey cam isn’t just a lens on a bird’s life; it’s a window into the challenges and triumphs of these iconic coastal raptors. Supporting this effort means you’re helping protect these birds and their habitat, ensuring the drama—and the hope—continues for generations to come.
What are ospreys?
Ospreys are more than just spectacular fish hawks; they are vital indicators of the health of the coastal ecosystems. With their distinctive black eye stripe, M-shaped wings in flight and specialized talons designed for fishing, these birds return to New Jersey each spring to breed and raise their young.
The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s Osprey Project is at the heart of the comeback story of the ospreys who were almost wiped out from pesticides in the 1960s. For over 50 years, the Foundation has worked to restore and protect osprey populations across the state, helping them rebound from just 50 nesting pairs in the 1970s to more than 800 pairs today. Their team builds and maintains nesting platforms—now essential for 75% of New Jersey’s ospreys—monitors nests, bands chicks and tracks population trends to ensure these raptors continue to thrive.
Wurst says, by donating, you help ensure that these magnificent birds continue to thrive along our shores, keeping the skies alive with their aerial acrobatics and the promise of new life each spring.
How to Donate
Get in on the action by donating any amount the osprey fundraiser of Conserve Wildlife Foundation by clicking here.
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