From the Field - New Jersey Preserves

Spectacular Birding

Southern New Jersey offers some truly spectacular birding activities, as numerous bird species pass through as part of their yearly migrations. In the spring, thousands of shorebird species crowd the beaches to eat horseshoe crab eggs. In the winter, Eagles, Hawks, and other raptors fill the skies. (Check back here in coming weeks to find out about the Cumberland County Eagle Festival.)

In August, the thousands of Purple Martins that traveled north to nest for the summer swarm in the air each evening before settling in the high grasses for the night.  This photo, taken at the Purple Martin Festival in mid-August, shows a kayaker enjoying the spectacular site. The many dots in the sky are mostly Purple Martins, but other swallows also joined in the evening flight.

Hike at Burden Hill

On Sunday New Jersey Regional Manager Steve Eisenhauer led a group on a hike at Burden Hill Preserve. We spent two and a half hours walking the trails (and adventuring off-trail!) while Steve showed us some of the special features of Burden Hill, including the rare wetland species Swamp Pink, which grows in the seeps that come off the hill. We also saw a variety of bird species, although we were dissappointed not to see any eagles. All in all, the hike was a great way to be introduced to one of Natural Lands Trust's newer preserves.