Matt Klewin and Liz Silvernail at the CWF table.Rebecca and Tari Clark with their new eagle birdhouse.
On Sunday May 1st Liz Silvernail, CWF Director of Development, and I spent the day at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Earth Day celebration. The weather was gorgeous and we were busy all day talking to people about CWF and the different projects that we are working on. Kids especially stopped by to see the mounted Barred Owl, Peregrine Falcon and turtle shells. Also helping at the table were volunteers Matt Klewin, Margaret Klewin-Atack and their daughter Rhianna. Their team the, Wrending Talons, which has been together for 18 years, will be participating in the World Series of Birding on May 14th and CWF is the recipient of their pledges.
We also had a free raffle for an eagle bird house made by eagle project volunteer Kevin Buynie. The winners were Tari Clark
and her daughter Rebecca. They were thrilled to be the winners and were excited to see if any birds would nest in the house this year.
The New Jersey midwinter eagle survey takes place each January and is part of the National midwinter eagle survey to monitor population levels. Another benefit of the midwinter eagle survey is that new eagle nests and nesting pairs are often located. The target dates for the 2011 survey was January 8th and 9th. Approximately 75 volunteers participated throughout the state. This year the snowy winter weather on Saturday did effect the count due to the heavy snow fall at times and low visibility. Sunday was clear and sunny which allowed volunteers to get out and survey.
Preliminary results:
194 eagles – southern NJ
24 eagles – northern NJ reservoirs
17 eagles – Delaware Water Gap
A total of 235 eagles were observed this year.
This total is lower than 2010s count of 333 eagles which is in large part due to the weather. Full results will be released soon.
Thank you to all the volunteers who braved the snow, cold and windy weather!
If you enjoy hearing the sounds of frogs and toads and like a bit of adventure then the NJ Calling Amphibian Project (CAMP) might be the right project for you! Each of the 16 species of frogs and toads in NJ has a unique vocalization or “call” that can be heard during their mating season. The Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ is actively recruiting volunteers to participate in a statewide Calling Amphibian Monitoring Program (CAMP). Fourteen CAMP routes are currently available for the 2011 season.
Last week, a park in Hillsborough Township got a makeover. Following “a shave and a haircut,” more than seven acres of fallow farmland were planted with 1,500 native trees and shrubs.
This afforestation is the latest partnership between Hillsborough and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation to improve wildlife habitat on township-owned lands. The park (on Wertsville Road between Montgomery & Long Hill Rds) sits on the northern edge of the Sourland Mountains, which hold significant values to forest wildlife, migratory songbirds, human residents and recreationists. Our project will extend this forest cover and all of its benefits.
While the trees are in the ground, this project is still “in progress.” The next step is to install temporary fencing to protect the saplings from deer browse. We’ll also have to fight the invasive plants – like autumn olive and multiflora rose – that grew so heartily at the site before. And lastly, we still have 150 trees and shrubs to plant at the neighboring Otto’s Farm Park. Please contact me (908-782-4614 x 104) if you want to help!
