Bald Eagle Chicks Hatch At Manasquan Reservoir

HOWELL, NJ — Monmouth County officials have confirmte there are two bald eagle chicks in the nest at the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell.

Officials said the chicks hatched on March 7 and while they are downy gray, the chicks will quickly turn black as their feathers develop.

"The chicks are growing very fast and will be almost as large as their parents in six weeks," officials said on the county's website. "Their arrival is especially exciting since it marks the first-time eaglets have hatched at the Manasquan Reservoir since 2014."

Workers at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center have been watching the nest for weeks and saw behavior that showed the chicks had hatched, but had to wait a few weeks to confirm it, officials said.

"This morning we observed the adult eagles reaching down into the nest and (presumably) feeding a chick," officials said on the county's website on March 7. "This behavior tells us that at least one chick has hatched."

Eagles typically have one to three chicks per season, officials said.

The nest can be seen from the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, weather permitting, officials said.

"Please remember that nesting is an extremely sensitive time for eagles. A nest can fail with disturbance including people try to get too close. Please do not approach the nest," officials said.

Eaglets photo via the Monmouth County Park System