PRESS RELEASE: NJDEP Announces Two Bald Eagles Born in Monroe in 2022
NJDEP Announces Two Bald Eagles Born in Monroe in 2022
Two Fledglings Located at Upper Millstone Nest
Bald eagle in flight over Monroe Township. Photo provided by Alex Ostrow.
MONROE TOWNSHIP – January 26, 2023 – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife recently issued its New Jersey Bald Eagle Project 2022 report.
Three active nests were reported in Middlesex County, including one at the Upper Millstone site in Monroe Township that was first discovered in 2017.
In Monroe, two Bald Eagle eggs began incubation in the Upper Millstone nest on February 8, 2022. The eggs hatched on March 13, 2022 and became confirmed fledglings on June 3, 2022.
Young golden eagles typically fledge when they are around 10 -12 weeks old. Fledglings continue to return to the nest and stay near their parents for a month or more, learning how to hunt and hone their flying abilities.
“We are thrilled to hear that two more of these beautiful creatures are thriving in their habitat here in Monroe and that the bald eagle population in New Jersey continues to climb,” said Monroe
Mayor Stephen Dalina. “It’s so important that we continue to take great care to protect them. We are all fascinated to see these majestic symbols of our freedom, but we must remember to leave them be and always observe from afar.”
The statewide population rose to 267 territorial pairs in 2022, an increase of 20 from last year. Two hundred sixty-seven nest sites were monitored during the nesting season, of which 250 were documented to be active (with eggs) and 17 were territorial or housekeeping pairs.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, bald eagles usually mate for life, choosing the tops of large trees to build nests, which they typically enlarge each year. They require a steady food source, perching areas and safe nesting sites. Their habitat includes estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and some seacoasts. In winter, the birds congregate near open water in tall trees for spotting prey and night roosts for sheltering.
According to the NJ Bald Eagle Project 2022 report, nesting bald eagles in the state face many threats of disturbance and habitat loss. The National Eagle Center notes: “once the eggs are laid, they must be constantly kept warm, or incubated, and protected from predators. The body heat of the parent keeps the developing eggs warm.”
Disturbance is defined as any human activity that causes eagles to change their behavior, including the mere presence of people in nesting or foraging areas which can distract them from normal feeding rituals as well as caring for and protecting their young.
Viewing eagles from safe distances is best for their survival and satisfies our natural desire to see them. Enthusiasts are cautioned to never approach a nest or take measures to touch or feed these natural predators.
The 28-page report details the findings from the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) biologists, Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF) staff and volunteer observers who located and monitored bald eagle nests and territories in New Jersey throughout the January - July 2022 nesting season. The full report is here: https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/njfw/eglrpt22.pdf.
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All media inquiries may be directed to the Monroe Township’s Public Information Officer Stacey Kennedy at 732-521-4400 or