This holiday season, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey asked our friends, supporters and volunteers, What is special about NJ’s wildlife to you? Why are you thankful for New Jersey’s wildlife? Friends of wildlife shared their thoughts by tweeting us, leaving us a comment on our Facebook page or sending us an email at info@conservewildlifenj.org. We encouraged everyone to use: #thanksnjwildlife Here is a collection of some of the responses we received:
Bill Nigh on Twitter shared that “wildlife gives me perspective.”
Judy Floam wrote over e-mail, “I only spend one week a year in New Jersey (at the beach) but I love to watch the gulls and sandpipers, and go on seine netting expeditions at Island Beach State Park.”
“Why are we thankful for New Jersey’s wildlife? Each and every creature is special to us although the coyote and the bats have a special place in our hearts. We’re grateful to the bats for keeping insect pests at bay and enjoy watching them leave their roost at dusk. Amazing. The coyotes are very musical and we appreciate their part in balancing nature. We’re grateful that the staff and volunteers at Conserve Wildlife work diligently to protect natural habitats. Thank you!”
— Joe & Linda Jedju shared through e-mail.
“Is this really New Jersey? It’s a question I have asked myself numerous times while living in NJ but never so much as over the last three years. It was three years ago that we purchased a small house on a lake in Sussex County. The waters of the lake are pristine and they teem with beavers, herons, numerous waterfowl, and too many different fish to mention. We watch amazing sunsets over the Appalachian Trail. We sit awe struck as foxes and bears routinely traverse our yard. Hummingbirds and beautiful finches occupy our yard and the wildflowers that grow there. We have watched as Bald Eagles circle high above and slowly spiral down to snatch a fish from the surface of the lake. We have sat in the cool evenings and watched the Milky Way appear as a swath of white across a darkening night sky. We watch as some of our endangered friends the bats dance crazy patterns in the night air, feasting on insects. Is this really NJ? Is it the stereotype of landfills, factories, pollution, and exits on the Parkway? Most definitely not! The rich diversity of animal and plant life leave us awe struck on a daily basis. I could also go on and on about our beautiful shoreline, Island Beach State Park, the Pine Barrens, and numerous other ecosystems that make our state so incredible. NJ’s amazing Wildlife is not limited to amusement parks and bars!
— David Claeys shared his story over e-mail.
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Details Measures Taken to Help Protect Wildlifeand Improve Reliability
By: Lindsay McNamara, Communications Coordinator
Photo Credit: Atlantic City Electric. Pictured left to right are Ben Wurst, wildlife biologist, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey; Ed Kaminski, senior supervising engineer, ACE; Cristina Frank, lead environmental scientist, ACE; and Mike Garrity, senior supervising scientist, ACE.
Atlantic City Electric (ACE), in collaboration with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, recently held an Avian Protection Educational Event to promote a better understanding of how Atlantic City Electric helps protect birds and other animals, while also helping improve electric service reliability for customers.
ACE environmental scientists Cristina Frank and Mike Garrity detailed the various types of migratory and breeding birds that may perch or nest on power lines, including ospreys, which frequently nest on utility poles. They discussed various types of devices placed on wires and other infrastructure designed to minimize the risk of birds and other wildlife from coming in contact with electric wires and equipment.
“Hundreds of thousands of birds migrate through Cape May County each year,” said Cristina Frank, lead environmental scientist, Atlantic City Electric and head of the company’s Avian Protection Program. “We conduct field studies to determine areas throughout Cape May County and our entire service territory to determine which areas are of the greatest risk to birds and other wildlife.”
ACE senior supervising engineer Ed Kaminski explained how avian protection is an integral part of the design phase before constructing any new infrastructure projects or upgrading existing infrastructure.
“We are in constant communication with our environmental team, and, when necessary, we’ll enhance our infrastructure to minimize the risk to birds while helping reduce the number of related power outages to create a more reliable electric system for customers,” Kaminski said.
Atlantic City Electric recently completed infrastructure enhancements in Cape May, Ocean City and Strathmere, N.J., that addressed risks to avian wildlife. As a result, the company has not seen any bird-related incidents since in these areas.
Also as part of the event, Ben Wurst, a wildlife biologist with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, discussed the foundation’s role in helping manage and protect ospreys through man-made nesting platforms that provide a safer nesting alternative than utility poles. ACE partners with Conserve Wildlife to identify and address risks to birds throughout its service territory.
Birds routinely use power line poles and towers as perches to establish territorial boundaries, nest, hunt, rest, find shade and feed. Utility poles often provide perching or nesting opportunities in areas where few natural perches or nest sites can be found. If the configuration and location of utility structures are in areas where birds are attracted by favorable habitat or are in a migratory path, the chance of electrocution and/or collisions increase.
Data nerds rejoice! Today, Wednesday, November 19 is GIS Day. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology helps our wildlife biologists protect rare species throughout New Jersey. GIS technology is used to create our species range maps and other important tools that show where wildlife occur and what habitat they need to exist.
Conserve Wildlife Foundation is a key player in updating the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program’s (ENSP) database of rare wildlife species. The database called “Biotics” is a GIS and Oracle-based system developed by NatureServe, the leading source of information on the precise locations and conditions of rare and threatened species and ecological communities in the Western Hemisphere.
Although CWF and ENSP biologists submit a majority of the data on Biotics, we rely on the help of citizen scientists to fully understand the wildlife picture in New Jersey. Do you want to help biologists monitor certain areas of the state and locate the presence of species of concern? Visit our website to learn how you can get involved.
In addition to the Biotics database, GIS was used to create range maps for all 190 species featured on our online field guide! Check it out.
Have you seen our American Oystercatcher Story Map? GIS was used to create that tool as well! A Story Map is a web-based interactive GIS map embedded with all kinds of content, like text, photographs, and video.
BatCam, the live-action camera that captures a colony of big brown bats living in a family home in Flemington, received plenty of media attention this week. BatCam is hosted on Conserve Wildlife Foundation‘s website, thanks to the Williams family.
The bats’ unusual choice of a summer roost has given this family a unique peek at their lives, from knowing exactly when the bats return from hibernation each spring, to watching them give birth and care for their pups though the summer.
The bats also caught the attention of New Jersey media. Read about the colony of big brown bats:
A live bottlenose dolphin on Tobay Beach in Nassau County, New York. (Photo Credit: APP/Riverhead Foundation for Research and Preservation)
Bottlenose Dolphins, their numbers impacted last year from a nasty virus that rivals the death rate of Ebola in West Africa, are still dying, researchers have found.
The outbreak of morbillivirus, a measles-like virus that causes pneumonia, skin lesions and brain infections, has killed roughly twice as many bottlenose dolphins as the last big outbreak in 1987-88. In New Jersey, 151 bottlenose dolphins died last year — nearly 10 times this year’s toll so far, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.
Morbillivirus is highly contagious. It’s spread through respiration (via blowholes) and direct contact. Experts think the virus may also be spread through skin contact.
Asbury Park Press Reporter Todd B. Bates explores the unusual mortality event:
CWF Celebrates World Shorebirds Day With Release of Our First Story Map: “American Oystercatchers Through the Seasons”
By Michael Davenport, GIS Program Manager
Conserve Wildlife Foundation (CWF), today released a new interactive “Wildlife Story Map” in support of this Saturday’s first annual World Shorebirds Day! The Story Map can be viewed here!
A Story Map is a web-based interactive GIS map embedded with multimedia content, such as text, photographs, and video. CWF, working with GIS software developer ESRI and with financial assistance provided by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, plans to make this Story Map the first of many, helping engage the public about New Jersey’s rare wildlife in a dynamic and interactive way.
“American Oystercatchers Through the Seasons” tells the story about a species of migratory bird, the American Oystercatcher, which spends the summer breeding season along the New Jersey coast, but is present year-round along the southern New Jersey coast. Our state represents the northern limit of the species’ winter range. While some New Jersey birds migrate during the winter to Florida, those that breed in New England during the summer may end up spending their winter here in New Jersey.
This Story Map also provides stories about individual banded birds, which have been tracked on journeys between New Jersey and southern states such as Florida, as well as between New Jersey and more northern states, such as Massachusetts.
Make a donation today to support additional Story Maps!
How to Use the Story Map:
On the left side of the Story Map page are several “buttons” which will allow you to flip through the different seasons in an oystercatcher’s life: Breeding, Migration, and Wintering. Each page provides information and photos and a map specific to that portion of the bird’s life cycle. By clicking on an individual point within the map, a box containing more specific information, and a photo in some cases, will pop-up. The map also provides the ability to zoom-in and out in order to see areas of interest in more detail.
This Story Map is especially exciting since it helps celebrate the first annual World Shorebirds Day. This event seeks to “…raise global public awareness about the conservation of, and research about, shorebirds. About half of the world’s shorebird populations are in decline, and the rate of habitat loss is worse than ever before” (World Shorebirds Day 2014).
World Shorebirds Day hopes to accomplish the following:
To raise public awareness about the need to protect shorebirds and their habitats throughout their life cycles;
To raise public awareness about the need for ongoing shorebird research;
To connect people with shorebirds through important shorebird sites around the world;
To get shorebird enthusiasts to introduce shorebirds to more birdwatchers;
To raise awareness about the need for increased funding for shorebird research, monitoring and conservation.
CWF’s shorebird leadership ranges from the American Oystercatcher celebrated in this Story Map, to the beach nesting birds along the Atlantic Coast, to the red knots and ruddy turnstones along the Delaware Bay.
Your support can help CWF develop additional Story Maps on other rare wildlife. Support our work on Story Maps on the American Oystercatcher and other important shorebirds in honor of World Shorebirds Day by supporting research, education, and public awareness efforts carried out by CWF:
We hope that this will be the first of many Story Maps that CWF will use in order to communicate the many fascinating stories that New Jersey’s wildlife have to tell.
Make a donation today to support shorebirds today!
With the sun shining, everyone set out on a beautiful short boat ride from Island Beach State Park in Seaside, New Jersey to Sedge Island, a small island in the brackish waters (a mixture of salt and fresh water) of Barnegat Bay. There, the winners, proud parents and teachers from the Species on the Edge Art and Essay Contest learned about the island and the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center. After the tour of the house and island, the group set off on a fascinating two hour-long kayak journey into the bay.
After paddling through a very narrow water channel, the group stopped at the first man-made Peregrine Falcon nest in New Jersey. This nest was the first hacking site for the once critically endangered Peregrine Falcons, ultimately leading to the rise Peregrine Falcon population in the late 1970’s. Hacking is an old falconer’s term for a process that provides captive-bred youngsters with a sheltered experience, giving them the advantage of a “soft release” into the wild.
The group getting ready to Kayak (c) Stephanie Feigin
As the group paddled on, we traveled through the different areas of the bay including the grassy areas where we learned about the different grasses that could grow in this brackish water, and which ones were edible.
Next we reached an area referred to as the Bahamas because of its shallow clear, calm water. We all got out of our kayaks and walked around to search for animals and plants on the sandy floor. We could see hundreds of fish, mud snails, and sea hermit crabs. Even a green crab made an appearance and the Sedge tour guide lifted him up from under the water to teach everyone about its unique body.
Clamming in the Bay (c) Stephanie Feigin
After returning to the island, the group then got to experience the thrill of clamming in the bay, and learned about the efforts of the biologists on Sedge Island to protect the Diamondback Terrapin population that breeds on the island. This was my first time at Sedge Island, along with many others. It was very interesting to learn about the history of this island, and the many wildlife species that inhabit the area. The trip to Sedge Island was a wonderfully breath taking experience – an experience I will never forget.
When it comes to choosing which Island Beach State Park Programs are best for you, it’s tough to decide from so many great options!
So today we bring you the expert naturalists and educators who teach the programs. Hear their own evocative stories behind each program then decide what’s best for you!
Part 1, Monday, summarized these exciting programs.Part 2, Tuesday, highlighted the Harvest the Bay Day happening this Saturday, August 9 from 3-8pm. Part 4, Thursday, will be a round table interview with the Island beach State Park naturalists. AndPart 5, Friday, will feature a personal account from one of CWF’s interns who works at Island Beach State Park.
John Leonard, Park Naturalist, Island Beach State Park
As a Park Naturalist for THE best park within the NJ Parks and Forestry system I’ve been able to do some wickedly fun and educational things within its borders for the past five years. From fishing its shores for monster striped bass, to kayaking and seining the waters of Barnegat Bay. Nothing satisfies me more than sharing those experiences and seeing the smiles with the thousands of visitors who visit our park daily. But what if I told you, the adventurous few, we have a program that happens only twice a summer, and is scheduled during a time and at a place where the park becomes virtually deserted. Alone. On a barrier island. Far from the lights and crowds you are accustomed to at the Jersey Shore. Tempted?
The Full Moon Hike begins deep in the park, 3.5 miles past our bathing beaches at our Nature Center, a building many say is haunted by old souls of the sea. After a quick introduction of your guides at dusk we begin our educational journey, slowly working our way westward through the dense maritime forest. Quietly walking all our senses slowly awaken. The sounds of far off birds, rustling of mammals and amphibians in the undergrowth searching for a meal, pungent odors of decaying matter all come into focus. Learning as we walk, taking note of all our surroundings. As we reach Barnegat Bay we are rewarded by a liquid orange sun dipping slowly beneath the horizon illuminating the sky in a spectrum of color, a perfect time to observe the bay and all its glory.
Retracing our steps with natural light fading we begin our trek ocean side. Dense, dark forest gives way to the moonscape like terrain of our secondary, then primary dune system. A place that seems inhabitable, but in fact are home to our famed red fox. In addition to being extremely important barriers of ocean storm surge, these dunes have been rumored to hold buried treasure from pirates as far back as the 1600’s.
As we cross that final dune we leave the quiet solitude of the secondary dunes and are rewarded with an impressive elevated view of the ocean and sands which we’ve all come to love. Immediately we feel the air temperature drop, we hear thundering waves crashing on our pristine shores and view a brilliant burning fire just waiting for us to enjoy. Here we are free to enjoy the beach, collect shells or simply gather around the fire and enjoy the dancing flames as the yellow full moon slowly rises above the waves in the eastern sky. As an added bonus for all guests big and small, we are comforted by the melty goodness of roasting marshmallows, decedent chocolate and lightly sweet graham crackers to enjoy.
“Seining tours are a fun, interactive way for kids and adults to gain first hand experience with the marine life in our area. They are also an invaluable tool for school groups learning about coastal ecology” – Becca Hanson, Seasonal Supervisor
Did you know that IBSP offers free daily seining tours every day, twice a day? Pull a seine net through the Barnegat Bay and discover the amazing creatures who live here. Can you scare away hungry predators by growing twice your size in less than 6 seconds? A pufferfish can! Scoop up some silversides, the ‘french fries of the bay’, and understand the importance of this abundant fish in the Barnegat Bay food chain. Meet the snails, our bottom-feeding friends who keep the bay clean. What’s today’s catch of the day?
The Snorkel/Kayak Program at Island Beach State Park is a mix of snorkeling and kayaking in the Barnegat Bay. After a brief introduction and overview of the necessary kayaking skills, participants start the tandem kayaking adventure. All snorkel gear and kayak gear are provided. Park educators explain the ecology and importance of the Barnegat Bay and its ecosystems, and also review the different species that can be expected while snorkeling. When the tide is right, kayaks are anchored on a nearby sand bar and participants can snorkel in the adjacent deeper channel. Participants may see a variety of species, such as pipefish, crabs, flounder, hermit crabs, schools of bait fish, as well as different types of aquatic vegetation. This tour is new at the park and is becoming increasingly popular! Come join us for this unique underwater ecosystem viewing experience!
“From my personal experience with this program I find that it gives the children a wonderful hands-on approach to understanding the natural balance that takes place at Island Beach State Park.”- Josephine, Park Educator
Nature toddlers during craft time
This program is specifically designed for children ages 3 to 5 years old and takes place at the Nature Center. Age-appropriate hands-on activities, stories, crafts and hikes guide your child’s natural curiosity as they explore the animals and plants of Island Beach State Park. Natural Educators provide an educational hour of fun for parents and their children.
“From an educators stand point, I find that this program truly enriches the child’s love of learning. This program is supported with appropriate children’s literature and affords the children the opportunity to learn hands on; which in my experience is the most beneficial. It is delightful to take part in helping to create memories that are sure to last for a life time!” – Lisa, Park Educator
This program is specifically designed for children ages 6 to 12 years old and takes place at the Nature Center. With the help of Natural Educators, children get the chance to explore the outdoors, make crafts, listen to stories, learn about animals, and investigate the local ecosystem. This is a two hour program that explores different topics each week such birds, turtles, jellyfish, and much more!
IBSP Kayak Tours
Most people come to Island Beach State park to enjoy the swimming beaches. They drive to Ocean Beach Area 1 or 2, spend a few hours on the beach and go home feeling satisfied with their visit to the park. Little do they know they have only scratched the surface in terms of what this park has to offer!
Kayak tours are one of the more popular activities provided by IBSP park educators. Below is a list of tours and a brief description of each:
Learn about the history of Island Beach dating back to the first recorded description in 1609 by Robert Juet, the first mate to Henry Hudson, the parks involvement in the Revolutionary war, the War of 1812, pirates in the park, all the way to present day uses. All of this is done while kayaking around the Island visiting important historical landmarks and enjoying the beautiful Island ecosystems.
“The sunset paddle is one of my favorite programs offered at the park. Being on the water, witnessing the natural serenity of the area and its inhabitants, and watching the brilliant colors of the sunset is an experience like no other.” – Kelly Scott, Park Naturalist
Enjoy a peaceful and relaxing evening paddle through the famous Sedge Islands and watch the sunset over Barnegat Bay. This is prime time for observing the parks different wildlife species, including egrets, herons, gulls, turtles and maybe even a lingering fox watching from shore.
Learn about one of the largest estuaries in NJ by kayak! Park educators will discuss the bay’s geology, ecological function and importance, and local flora and fauna. In addition, the Eco-tour also includes a seining event to observe marine life and park educators will teach the “clammers dance.”
Expert Park Natural Educators will guide you on a peaceful paddle through the dynamic Barnegat Bay estuarine ecosystem. Discover the diversity of birds that inhabit Island Beach State Park in the summer. We will discuss migration patterns and year-round residents. Keep an eye out for additional birding tour during the upcoming fall migration!
Nature Center/Interpretive Center
Do you want to see wildlife close-up – and spend a day at the beach? Then come visit the Island Beach State Park Nature Center!
Once a coast guard building, the Nature Center showcases a unique combination of amazing views and lots of interactive fun for the whole family. Our Nature Center is home to a wide variety of local creatures from our 2 year old albino corn snake Newton, to our baby diamondback terrapins. Dont forget to take in the spectacular view from the top floor where the bay, the ocean, and Barnegat Bay lighthouse are all visible.
Just across from the Nature Center is the Forked River Interpretive Center where visitors can enter the world of yesterday and explore the incredible history of Island Beach State Park. Visitors can learn about the massive effort to bring Ospreys back to the Island, the historic Reeds Hotel and many other amazing stories and tales of life as it used to be on this breathtaking island.
Before you leave, make sure you take a visitors guide and check out the Summer Programs offered by IBSP Park Naturalists and educators! Let us show you how much fun nature can be!
“Surfing Safari is by far the most popular WILDCHILD program offered at IBSP. Space is limited, and classes typically fill up fast. Register early to reserve your spot!” – Tom Seager, Park Educator
Surf’s Up Dude!
Learn about waves, what they are, where they come from, and why they break. Paddle out with expert Natural Educators and IBSP Lifeguards, and maybe you’ll be hangin’ 10 by the end of the summer! Drop off your child for two hours of fun!
The nonprofit Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey seeks an Environmental Education Coordinator to lead our fast-growing education program and support our program work. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, knowledgeable professional with experience in environmental education, strong communication skills, multi-tasking ability, and the motivation to be a successful self-starter.
Three nestlings produced at the Osprey Cam nest are banded for future tracking!
by Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager
In the late afternoon of June 24, 2014, I kicked off the 2014 Osprey Nesting Surveys by banding the three nestings at the Osprey Cam nest. I was joined by Ann Marie Mason Morrison, with Friends of Forsythe NWR, our founding partner with the Osprey Cam, and two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service interns, Jessie and Kirsten who helped bring out all the equipment needed to the nest (two 20′ ladders).
This is one of the most difficult nests to reach in all of New Jersey! It either takes a boat (at high tide) or two 20′ ladders (at low tide) to cross a 15′ wide ditch on the coastal salt marsh. Anyone who has crossed the ditch can attest to how difficult it is. Now you can watch and see what when into banding these three nestlings. A portion of the video was cut when I was attempting to repair the sound at the camera equipment box. At the same time the nest was cleaned of harmful plastic debris that the birds used as nesting material. A total of 3 balloons and a plastic bag were removed from the nest. The three young were banded with USGS bird bands (1088-04358,59 & 60) for future tracking. Check out a photo that I got of “the runt.” Enjoy!
