Ospreys are nesting on another Seaside Heights Amusement Park called the Sky Coaster.
The Sky Coaster has been inactive all 2023 Summer Season. It is one of the largest spectacles at the Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach boardwalk.
The attraction is one of two rides that have specific tickets. Therefore, patrons must get unique, more expensive tickets to use the ride while the other attractions share a ticketing system.
A pair of Ospreys attempted to nest on the highest point of the Hydrus roller coaster in April 2022. It is still undetermined if this is the same pair of aerial raptors.
The Hydrus nest, from 2022, was found early with no eggs. There were some twigs but not a full-sized nest. Osprey nests can weigh as much as 200 lbs when completed.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, it is typical behavior of Ospreys to return to their home after migrating. Therefore, it is plausible that the pair of ospreys from last year are the same ones occupying a different boardwalk ride this year.
Ospreys are listed as threatened animals by the Department of Environmental Protection. (DEP) and their nests are protected from April through August in New Jersey. However, Casino Pier can move the nests if they acquire appropriate state and federal permits if they were to pose a threat to human safety.
Ospreys eat a diet of almost entirely fish. The location is why this pair of predators made the Casino Pier boardwalk their home. They also do not need to drink water due to the abundance of moisture they get from their food.
In 2020, over 540 nested pairings were recorded in the garden state, while in 2022 there were over 600.
According to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Osprey's numbers dwindled to 50 in 1974. The use of pesticides, such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), was thought to be a significant contributor to the declining numbers of ospreys in N.J. The pesticide caused their eggs to have thin shells and break easily.
The banning of DDT in 1972 and the construction of human-made nests for ospreys have contributed to positive population growth in the species.
It is a positive sign to see Ospreys adapting to life alongside humans; however, it is not suitable for the business of the Casino Pier company. They could operate their amusement boardwalk at full capacity if they utilized bird exclusion systems to prevent the birds from returning.
Since the Ospreys have ceased Casino Pier's use of the Skycoaster, which costs $35 for a single rider, we assume it could provide 20 rides every hour. Let us find out how much money the company could be losing this summer:
First, we calculate the total number of riders per day:
20 riders/hour x 12 hours = 240 riders/day
Next, we calculate the total number of riders for the entire summer season:
240 riders/day x 90 days = 21,600 riders
Finally, we can calculate the revenue generated:
21,600 riders x $35/ticket = $756,000
This rough estimate highlights the importance of protecting your business from avian pests through bird deterrent spikes, ultrasonic devices, wiring, and more. A bird control company like AviAway exists to prevent these exact problems from occurring. We facilitate bird removal, install prevention methods, and provide cleanup services for any mess a bird might leave behind. Call AviAway at 844-247-3373 or fill out our online form for a free consultation and quote.