Derek Noah, CWF Intern Summer 2014, collecting patron surveys at Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
My name is Derek Noah, I was an intern this summer for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF). I am a wildlife and nature enthusiast who likes to kayak, bike, and hike . I live in Monmouth County and I go to the beach during any extra time I have.
The Northern diamondback terrapin is a small to medium-sized species of turtle that lives in coastal salt marshes, including the marsh near the Stone Harbor Boulevard Causeway. Adult terrapins are commonly struck by vehicles while attempting to cross causeways, and terrapin eggs are eaten by raccoon and other mammalian predators. Currently, CWF’s Wildlife Biologist, Stephanie Egger, is working with other researchers and organizations on the best way to protect wildlife and satisfy people’s needs that visit, live, or work in coastal communities in New Jersey. I collected information from visitors, residents, and employees of Stone Harbor about their understanding and perception of terrapins and management of terrapins along roadways through a patron survey. I worked on this project in July and August and surveyed nearly 500 patrons! I conducted the surveys on the beach as well as local stores and shops. The survey introduced general questions of terrapins and ideas on how to limit terrapin road death through different road management practices. The patron survey can be viewed here.
Michael Britt, avid birder and writer, highlights the Barn Owl (Tyto alba). This medium-sized owl, most widely known for its ‘heart-shaped’ face, is the only member of the Tytonidae family found in North America. In this story, he shares how to identify these owls, when are where to look for them, and offers personal accounts of his most memorable encounters with these beautiful birds.
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.
Plover populations at Malibu Beach in Egg Harbor Township are near a record-low this year due to predation, recreation activities and habitat loss. (c) Edward Lea
New Jersey’s Piping Plover population is at its lowest levels in decades, which raises serious concerns, but they also had one of their most successful years ever statewide in producing chicks. There is hope this will jump start the population again. To read the full article, click here.
To watch the video about this years Piping Plover population, click here
To learn more about CWF’s efforts to protect these birds, click here.
A humpback whale – named Jerry by researchers – spyhops off New York City. Photograph: Artie Raslich/Gotham Whale
Cleaner waters along the New Jersey and New York coasts are increasing the abundance of Humpback Whales and Great White Sharks. These waters now contain more nutrients and less garbage, and have encouraged rises in fish populations – thus attracting more whales and sharks to the area. To read this full article, click here
For more information on marine mammals in New Jersey, click here.
Today at 8 pm, CWF’s habitat program manager Ben Wurst will speak on Northern Diamondback Terrapins during the Bass River State Forest’s “2014 Lectures at the Lake.” Wurst’s “Terrapins and Tires” program will discuss the history of terrapins and CWF’s efforts to protect them. For more information or to read the full article, click here.
To learn more about CWF’s efforts to protect Diamondback Terrapins along the New Jersey coast, click here.
To read our five part Terrapin Week blog series, here!
One summer evening, thrilled volunteers watched as over 350 big brown bats flew out of the peak of the historic Tranquility Church. CWF biologist Mackenzie Hall worked to safely rid the church of the large bat population, while still giving these bats a place to live.
During this project, Tranquility Church was very accommodating, Mackenzie installed 5 bat boxes on the back of the church, enabling the bats to still have a home. MacKenzie also performed bat acoustic monitoring surveys, which allow for documentation of the diversity as well as the abundance of bats in any given area.
There was also lots of support from the Antler Ridge volunteers, who helped install the bat boxes, and the wildlife rehabilitators from Mercer County Wildlife Center, New Jersey Bat Sanctuary, and Wildbaby Rescue, all of whom helped rehabilitate any pups that were found after falling from the attic.
To read the full article and watch the video, click here.
To learn more about CWF’s Bat Project, click here.
For more information on how CWF assesses bat problems in the home, click here.
To watch New Jersey News 12’s video on this project: “Bats in church attic find new roost,” click here.
Jersey City Magazine and the Hudson Reporter spotlight CWF’s beloved Falcon Cam in this month’s issue. The webcam, on the roof of 101 Hudson Street in downtown Jersey City, boasts countless dedicated viewers who just can’t stop watching!
To read the full article in the Jersey City Magazine, click here and visit page 15
U.S. Coast Guard and staff from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center rescued an 800-pound leatherback sea turtle off of the coast of Southern New Jersey. For more information on sea turtles facing risks along our coastline, click here.
To read the full article on this video, click here.
Part 1, Monday, was an introduction to these exciting programs.Part 2, Tuesday, highlighted the Harvest the Bay Day happening this Saturday, August 9 from 3-8pm. Part 3, Wednesday, gave the “Insider’s Look” into the amazing outdoor programs, told through the words of the experts teaching the programs at Island Beach State Park. And Part 4, Thursday, was a roundtable interview with the Island Beach State Park naturalists.
by Brooke Sambol
Among the many programs visitors can enjoy at Island Beach State Park, clamming is one that truly sticks out. Until I started working in the park, I had never been clamming, and now it’s one of my favorite programs to lead.
We take visitors out into Barnegat Bay, where we use clam rakes or our feet to locate and scoop up Quahog and sometimes surf clams. Due to the nature of clamming, this program attracts people of varying ages. It’s very common to have both adults and children sign up for a clamming tour. The mix of ages creates a great dynamic, where both adults and children have fun experiencing the bay from a hands-on approach.
A clam rake is offered for the program, but I always prefer using my feet. Digging my toes into the sand in search of clams is a grounding experience for me. Searching the bay with just my body fosters a feeling of closeness to nature; it’s here that I’m grateful that I live so close to the water. Not to mention, finding a clam after searching a while is very exciting!
All in all, clamming is one of my favorite programs at Island Beach State Park, and our visitors seem to share the sentiment.
To join a clamming program at Island Beach State Park, click here!
Brooke Sambol is a Wildlife Intern with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
Michael Britt, avid birder and writer, highlights the Barn Owl (Tyto alba). This medium-sized owl, most widely known for its ‘heart-shaped’ face, is the only member of the Tytonidae family found in North America. In this story, he shares how to identify these owls, when are where to look for them, and offers personal accounts of his most memorable encounters with these beautiful birds.
