Spring is for Bald Eagles in New Jersey

March 2004 - The eagles have definiitely landed near the Maurice River in Cumberland County.

45 pairs of bald eagles in New Jersey are making themselves at home in Cumberland County, New Jersey. They're adding sticks to their nests and laying eggs or they're watching over eggs laid in February.

The local breeding population of eagles are not alone. Many wandering eagles from elsewhere winter in the wilds of Southern New Jersey and can be seen from March through early April.

In mid-January (2004) the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey tallied 170 Bald Eagles in New Jersey. Most of them (126) were in southern New Jersey.

Many of those southerners were spotted along the Maurice River in Cumberland County.

The Maurice River, a federally designated "Wild and Scenic River," attracts one of the largest concentrations of the wintering raptors in New Jersey.

Local waterfowl, muskrats and fish keep the eagles well fed.

Two pair of Bald Eagles nest along the Maurice River, so eagle sightings there are a daily occurrence year round.

Don't miss Cumberland County's annual raptor festival in February.