Nature Series

The Monmouth County Park System has two “Birding” has become one of the fastest growing environmental centers dedicated to nature education. outdoor activities in the nation, with an estimated 50 Each center has a trained staff of naturalists who answer million people participating each year. This rise in the visitor questions about area wildlife and natural history. number of “birders” is due in part to the simplicity of the hobby. A pair of binoculars and a bird identification book The Huber Woods Environmental Center, on Brown’s Birds are the only tools you need to get started, and you can go Downy Woodpecker, Male and Female Dock Road in the Locust Section of Middletown, birding anywhere and anytime of the year. features newly renovated exhibits and activities of Monmouth County about plants, wildlife and the Lenape Indians. There’s Birds are among the most beautiful and interesting creatures in the animal a bird observation area and a reptile house. Miles of kingdom, and Monmouth County is one of the premier birding locations on the surrounding offer many opportunities to enjoy East Coast. An estimated 360 species have been recorded here and most can be and view nature. seen in or around our county parks. Red Winged Blackbird Year-Round Residents vs. Wood warblers are among the most notable and numerous migrants. These small (4-6”), Migrants exceptionally colorful birds will At least 40 bird species are bring a smile to anyone considered year-round lucky enough to encounter residents of Monmouth them. At least 30 species County. These include the stop to rest and feed in Northern Cardinal, Tufted our parks on their Specializing in Monmouth County’s species, Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, journeys twice each year. the Manasquan Environmental Center, Carolina Wren, American Crow, Magnolia Warbler on Georgia Tavern Road in Howell, has water-related Blue Jay, Red-bellied Northern Cardinal wildlife displays, hands-on activities and a bird and Woodpecker, Many warblers nest in observation area. Features include an Downy Woodpecker (see Monmouth County as well. interactive watershed map, aquarium, live animals, above), Cedar Waxwing and and a fossil wall. The Blue-winged Warbler, ’s state bird, the Northern Parula, Pine American Goldfinch. Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Common In the spring, the Monmouth Yellow Warbler (Photo by Neil Nappe) Yellowthroat, Black-and- County parks attract many White Warbler, American migrant birds on their way to Redstart and Yellow Warbler all spend their northern breeding grounds for Blue Jay summers here. They depend on our parklands summer. and other natural areas for In the food and shelter for fall, birds stop here their young. en route to southern wintering areas.

Monmouth County Goldfinch Board of Chosen Freeholders Pine Warbler Board of Recreation Commissioners G16043-02/16 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Birds of Prey: The Raptors Returning from the brink Species of the Jersey Shore Seven Presidents of extinction, America’s Oceanfront Park in Two of our largest hawks (18-24”) are the The Osprey has recently national icon—the regal Long Branch hosts two Red-tailed, which can be seen perched in trees, been removed from Bald Eagle—has made important endangered on flagpoles and fence posts or soaring above both the federal and a healthy comeback. birds during spring and meadows and state endangered lists. In Monmouth County, summer, the Piping Plover fields and the Known for its feet-first eagles can be observed and the Least Tern. Both Red-shouldered, fishing style, it is now Piping Plover soaring or perched require open beach to which is more of thriving along the around local lay their eggs. Park staff and volunteers take a forest-dweller. banks of reservoirs and (including the Manasquan special care each year to protect the nests of estuaries where it often Reservoir in Howell) and these fragile nests on man-made along area rivers. Bald Eagle species. (Photo by Dennis Ruffe) platforms. Formerly considered a raptor, but now thought Osprey to be more closely related to the stork is the Red-tailed Hawk (juvenile) common Turkey Vulture. This large scavenger Two elegant spring/ The Cooper’s Hawk and is frequently seen on the side of the road or summer shorebirds— circling overhead. the diminutive Sharp- the Least Terns shinned Hawk (10-14”) Compare its and the Egret—can have smaller heads, more distinct black be seen in wetland and white wing “Seagulls” are possibly rounded wings (in flight) habitats at estuaries, the birds most closely and long, banded, rudder- pattern to that reservoirs and rivers. of another associated with the like tails. They can be seen Compare the distinctive Jersey Shore, as they quickly maneuvering Monmouth black beak of the County resident, are the ones one that though trees and shrubs Snowy Egret (pictured people see (or hear!) in search of prey. the Black Vulture. Cooper’s Hawk here) to the yellow most on their summer Turkey Vulture Black Vulture beak of the larger Great visits to the beach. The most Great Blue Heron Egret (on the cover). The unmistakably noisy common Laughing Gull owl in NJ is Grassland Species the Great Monmouth County parks also offer a safe Horned haven for species that depend on a rapidly Owl; less diminishing resource: frequently grasslands. The Eastern spotted is Meadowlark, Grasshopper the Barred Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Owl. Upland Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink and Great Black-backed Gull Savannah Sparrow have all been spotted within Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Savannah Sparrow Snowy Egret Ring-billed Gull (Photo by Neal Nappe) our parks.