Nature Series

The Monmouth County Park System has two “Birding” has become one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the nation, with an environmental centers dedicated to nature education. estimated 50 million people participating each year. This rise in the number of“birders”is due in Each center has a trained staff of naturalists who answer part to the simplicity of the hobby. A pair of binoculars and a bird identification book are the only visitor questions about area wildlife and natural history. tools you need to get started. Also, you can go birding anywhere and anytime of the year, as birds inhabit virtually every place on the planet. The Huber Woods Environmental Center, on Brown’s BirdsBirds Dock Road in the Locust Section of Middletown, of Monmouth County The birds themselves are, of course, the main reason behind this movement. Birds are among the features newly renovated exhibits and activities most beautiful and interesting creatures in the animal kingdom. about wildlife and the Lenape Indians. There’s a bird observation area, wildlife displays, and a reptile house. Monmouth County is one of the premier birding locations on the East Coast. An estimated Nest boxes in adjacent fields attract Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. 360 species of birds have been recorded in the county and most can be seen in or around our county parks. Year-Round Residents vs. on their journeys twice each year. These small (4-6”), exceptionally colorful birds will bring a Downy Migrants smile to anyone Woodpecker At least forty bird species are considered year- lucky enough to round residents of Monmouth County. These encounter them, include the Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, as they move Carolina Chickadee, Carolina Wren, American in large flights Crow, Blue Jay, Red- containing many bellied Woodpecker, different species. Specializing in Monmouth County’s wetland species, Black-and-White Warbler at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Downy Woodpecker, Huber Woods Park American Cedar Waxwing and on Georgia Tavern Road in Howell, has water-related Goldfinch wildlife displays, hands-on activities and a bird New Jersey’s state Many warblers nest in Monmouth County, as observation area. Featured displays include the bird, the American well. The Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Parula, Osprey, Great Horned Owl, Great Blue Heron, Virginia Goldfinch. Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Rail, Screech Owls and Bald Eagle. Northern Cardinal, seen at all Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-White Warbler, In the spring, the the parks American Redstart and Yellow Warbler all Monmouth County spend their summers here. They depend on our parks attract many migrant birds on their way to parklands and other natural areas for food and northern breeding grounds for the summer. In the shelter for their young. Carolina fall, birds stop here with their young en route to Chickadee southern wintering areas. Wood Warblers Wood warblers are some of the most notable and numerous migrants. More than thirty species Common Yellowthroat at Huber of warblers stop to rest and feed in our parks Woods Park Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders Board of Recreation Commissioners A 9094-06/09 www.monmouthcountyparks.com Birds of Prey: The Raptors The Cooper’s Hawk and the diminutive Sharp- Species of the Jersey Shore shinned Hawk (10-14”) are two smaller hawks that Raptors include hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. live in our parks. Look for The Osprey has recently been removed from both the Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks are their short, rounded wings federal and state endangered lists. It is now thriving two of our largest hawks (18-24”). The Red-tailed and long, rudder-like tails. along the banks of county reservoirs and estuaries. Hawk can be seen perched in trees, on poles They can been seen quickly This bird is known for its distinctive feet-first fishing and fence posts, or soaring above meadows and maneuvering though trees style. Ospreys have adapted to human involvement fields, whereas the Red- and shrubs in search of and readily accept man-made nesting platforms that shouldered Hawk is more their prey, smaller birds have been placed throughout our area. of a forest-dweller. The Red- and mammals. shouldered hawk is on NJ’s The Piping Plover at Seven Presidents endangered species list. The Cooper’s Hawk During the spring and summer months Seven can be seen at Holmdel Park Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch is host to two important endangered species, the Piping Plover and the Least Tern. Both require The most common owl in open beaches for nesting purposes. Park staff take NJ—and the largest at 18- special care each year to isolate some beach areas 24”—is the Great Horned to protect these tiny, fragile birds that lay their Owl. It can be seen locally at Red-shouldered Hawk at eggs in a shallow depression in the sand. Huber Woods Park Thompson Park, Huber Woods Park and the golf course at Osprey on a nest at the Manasquan Reservoir Hominy Hill. Great Horned Owl Photo by Neil Nappe Red-tailed Hawk at Thompson Park Grassland Species Returning from the brink of extinction, America’s The Snowy Egret with its Monmouth County parks also offer a safe haven national icon—the regal Bald Eagle—has made a black beak and yellow for species that depend on a rapidly diminishing healthy comeback. Their numbers are increasing feet is a common resident Two Least Terns resource: grasslands. The Eastern Meadowlark, steadily, and recent nesting surveys show as many of estuaries, reservoirs Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Upland as 69 active nests throughout New Jersey. In and rivers in Monmouth Look for this smaller Sandpiper, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink and Savannah Monmouth County, County during spring and Bonaparte’s Gull (12-14”) Sparrow have all been eagles can be observed summer. Look for this during the winter months spotted in parks with soaring or perched small egret at Fisherman’s at the Jersey Shore. Check preserved grassland around local reservoirs Cove, Hartshorne Woods out the black spot behind such as Dorbrook and along the area’s Park and the Manasquan the eye, a sign that this Recreation Area in Colts many rivers. There has Reservoir. bird is not in breeding Neck, Thompson Park in been an active, nesting plumage. (In breeding Lincroft, and Crosswicks pair at the Manasquan plumage, this gull has a Creek Greenway in Reservoir in Howell black hood.) Upper Freehold. Snowy Egret since 2001. A Bald Eagle at the Bonaparte’s Gull Manasquan Reservoir Savannah Sparrow at the Manasquan Reservoir