The 2014 Osprey Report unveiled that New Jersey ospreys, whose population was at the verge of extinction, is recovering. Factors like increased use of DDT-based insecticides and shortage of preys were majorly responsible for a sharp decline in the population.

As per the report, current population of New Jersey's ospreys is at about 567 pairs, which is significantly up from just 53 pairs in 1973. The recovery rate indicates one thing that the birds also known as fish eagles are improving in terms of number.

Now, 2 birds are being born per nest, which is considered to be twice the required number for the species to be stable population. "The comeback of these magnificent birds continues to inspire us, especially in combination with the parallel recoveries of bald eagles and peregrine falcons", affirmed Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF) executive director David Wheeler.

In June and July, CWF of New Jersey and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife carried out ground surveys to know the population of these raptors. This year, 686 chicks were born and 420 active nests were recorded and 33 produced an average of 2.02 fledglings per active nest.

In 1974, the ospreys were included in the New Jersey Endangered Species. It was the time when the DDT-based pesticides have affected the birds' productivity. Officials told that DDT inhibits calcium metabolism in birds, which makes their eggshells thin and due to which, they easily break under the baby's weight and it results into failed production.

It is also being said that reduced fish population contributed to the decline of New Jersey ospreys, as the bird's productivity known to dependent on the health of coastal fisheries. As per officials, conservation efforts and ban on DDT use have brought an improvement in the birds' population.