Looking for some outdoors activities this weekend? The New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo gives you virtually every possible option in one place – and its FREE!
Tent Exhibit, NJ WILD Outdoor Expo
This weekend, September 13 and 14, the fifth annual New Jersey WILD Outdoor Expo will be held at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson Township from 10am-5pm both Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Food will also be available from a variety of vendors, or you can bring your own if you prefer!
The Expo celebrates the state’s natural resources and outdoor heritage, while connecting residents with education and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills.
Participants of all ages can try a wide variety of free activities including everything from fishing, kayaking and camping skills to rock climbing, wildlife watching or shooting sports, as well as part environmental and conservation exhibits, demonstrations and seminars.
Rock climbing wall, NJ WILD Outdoor Expo
Visitors can also participate in turkey calling, get an introduction to archery, learn trap shooting, learn about local bats, get a primer on the Barnegat Bay watershed, hone their bird and tree identification skills, take in a hunting dog retrieval demonstration, get a close-up look at some quail and raptors, or participate in nature photography workshops, plus many other activities.
Families can also have plenty of hands-on fun – including insect safari shows, an inflatable soil tunnel, WILD crafts, and demonstrations on birds of prey and snakes of New Jersey.
More than 100 conservation, environmental and recreation exhibits will be at the Expo with demonstrations and seminars about the state’s air, water, soil, flora and fauna, and history. Numerous experts can provide information on an array of topics from hunting to bird watching to scuba diving and forestry stewardship in New Jersey. An outdoor equipment flea market will enable visitors to purchase gear needed for outdoor recreation or other environmental-related products.
NJ WILD Outdoor Expo
CWF helps sponsor this event as well as the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, State Forest Service and State Parks Service. It is partly financed by a grant from the USSAF Trailblazer Adventure Program and funding from the New Jersey Sportsmen’s Wildlife Foundation and the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance.
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
“This is the best field trip ever!” shouted the fifth grader at the edge of the bay. Many of her Newark classmates agreed.
Brooke Sambol with Ann Street School Students
On a Thursday in June, fifth graders from Ann Street School of Newark came to Island Beach State Park for a day of nature education and fun! Sponsored by PSEG the program was part of Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s WILDCHILD urban initiative, which seeks to make the experience of and knowledge about nature accessible to children from urban environments.
The park is situated on roughly 3,000 acres of barrier island in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Its access to the ocean and Barnegat Bay, as well as the surrounding maritime thicket, makes it a prime location for aquatic and coastal education.
Ann Street School Students looking at a horsehoe crab
The program allowed the children to venture the bay and search for sea creatures like blue claw crabs and silversides while seining, hear a talk on ospreys given by CWF’s Maria Grace, examine bones and shells of the animals that live in the region, and visit the park’s nature center.
Students from Ann Street School at Island Beach State Park
As a CWF intern working in Island Beach State Park, it’s truly a joy to experience the natural beauty of the Jersey Shore along with the kids, and to help contribute to an environmental understanding for children who might not ordinarily have the opportunity. The excitement and happiness was evident on their faces when they got to examine up close the critters of the bay. Their willingness to participate in activities and answer questions about horseshoe crabs and moon snails was a testament to just how fun caring for the environment can be.
The day proved to be a great success! The children from Ann Street School got to experience and enjoy the natural beauty of Island Beach State Park, and we all learned more about this unique ecosystem from each other and from the land, itself.
I might be a little biased in saying that Bass River State Forest is one of the most beautiful state parks in New Jersey, only because I live in the same town where it’s located. There is so much to explore at BRSF: large pine plantations by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that helped build NJ’s state parks, Atlantic white-cedar swamps galore, sugar sand, and all the wildlife that occupy pinelands habitats. One new and much different portion of Bass River State Forest is Ballanger Creek, pronounced “Baa-lan’-ger”. The surrounding forested habitat is mostly unfragmented and is comprised of mature pine-oak woodlands. There are some very large pitch pines that cover many species that are shade tolerant like, american holly. Two old freshwater impoundments were drained after Hurricane Irene blew out an earthen dam. Now freshwater wetlands have emerged and atlantic white-cedar seedlings are beginning to sprout.
Common along much of the coast of New Jersey, this site has had a lot of use in its history. A saw mill once operated here in the mid-19th century and in the early 1900s fields along the creek were used for agriculture. It was also used as a dump site for fill and other debris. A house and several out buildings were demolished when the property was acquired by the Green Acres Program in the mid-90s. Since its acquisition the site has not been actively managed for wildlife. That all changed in late 2009 when Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ acquired funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to enhance the degraded wildlife habitat on site. We’re all done with the project and there’s a lot to explore here. We invite you to explore this site and enjoy its natural beauty and its wildlife residents. Click on the map to download or print a copy of it. Here is a link to the site via Google Maps.
Birding by Kayak on Barnegat Bay, surf fishing off Island Beach, night hikes, and more…
CWF is excited to partner with NJ State Parks and offer incredible programs about New Jersey’s natural world. Programs are taking place at both Island Beach State Park and Allaire State Park.
Become a WILDCHILD, take a sunset kayak tour, try your hand at surf-fishing, go bird watching, or discover the night. Whatever you decide, you will be guided by professional educators and naturalists who have plenty of natural and wildlife stories to share with you.
At nearly 10 miles long, Island Beach is New Jersey’s most expansive stretch of undeveloped barrier island. Our programs help you to connect with the beauty of this ecosystem and its ample natural resources. Have your kids participate in a WILDCHILD program including surfing, surf-fishing, and island exploration. Try and catch the big one during a surf-fishing class or discover the beauty of Barnegat Bay through kayaking.
Allaire State Park covers almost 3,000 acres within the coastal plain of New Jersey. An extension of the Pine Barrens, Allaire has sandy soils and forests of oak, cedar, and pine. The Manasquan River flows through the park, creating floodplain that serves as habitat for many species of wildlife, including the barred owl, wood turtle, and bald eagle. Discover moths, take a quiet bird walk, or splash around in the pond and stream during one of our summer programs.
NATURE WATCHING ISN’T JUST FUN, IT CAN BE USEFUL TOO
By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager
Like many birdwatchers, although I still enjoy seeing the neighborhood cardinal in my yard, it’s the sightings of rarely encountered species, especially those classified as endangered, threatened, or special concern, which really keep my eyes scanning around during a hike.
Observations of Special Concern species, such as this Eastern Box Turtle, may be reported to the NJ Endangered Species Program. Photo by Mike Davenport.
Many birdwatchers, or nature enthusiasts of other species groups such as reptiles or butterflies, share their encounters with rare species on websites or bulletin boards. In addition, several organizations, such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or NJ Audubon, recruit “citizen scientists” who collect species observation data and submit that data electronically via websites such as eBird. That data is important for those organizations’ scientific research and assists scientists in analyzing population trends over years. However, more often than not, it never finds its way to New Jersey’s state biologists nor the state regulators whose task it is to protect rare species habitat in the state.
The New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) collects data for, not just rare birds, but all of the state’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species. A Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form is available on ENSP’s website for download as well as instructions for completing the form. A complete list of all of the species tracked by the state can be downloaded here.
A map of the location of your observation, such as this one, should be sent with your Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form.
Rare species data within the state’s database plays a critical role in wildlife and habitat conservation. It is the foundation of the NJ DEP’s Landscape Project, a GIS product that maps critical areas for imperiled species based upon species locations and land-use classifications. The resulting maps allow state, county, municipal, and private agencies to identify important wildlife habitats and protect them in a variety of ways. This information is used to regulate land-use within the state and assists in preserving endangered and threatened species habitat remaining in New Jersey.
Reporting your rare wildlife observation is easy. Simply complete the form, attach a map of where the animal was observed, as well as any photographs taken, and then mail or e-mail the form and map to ENSP at the address provided on the form. For more details about the state’s rare species mapping, please visit our webpage.
What does Middlesex County’s Cheesequake State Park have over Cape May, Forsythe, Sandy Hook, the Great Swamp, and other more notable New Jersey birding sites? Reliably abundant and nearly effortlessly managed (Talkin’ to you there, Barnegat Light…) stellar winter photo ops. Plus heat.
Cheesequake is just 5 minutes off Garden State Parkway exit 120 and a 5 minute walk through the hardwood forest off its first parking lot reveals the park’s nature center. The building’s raised and roofed entrance deck sits before a small, lightly wooded area designated as a wildlife sanctuary and serves as a near ideal (Shadow issues (See wooded…).) shooting platform.
The center is operated and the sanctuary maintained by naturalist Jim Faczak, who has installed (soon to be upgraded) platform, jar, and commercial seed and suet feeders–the most active a mere 3 or so yards from the deck’s edge. Protected from hikers by split rail fencing and a steep decline across its far end, the location attracts a roster of favorite species, at times in dizzying (Almost fell once…) numbers, with most taking little issue (Aaand…there’s a titmouse on my lens…) with human observers.
The most prevalent–the aforementioned tufted titmouse and the Carolina chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch–frequently alternate positions on the platforms (Focus on the one on the right (Ha ha–focus (Never mind…).).), with the latter assuming dominance in the pecking order by virtue of its, well, yes, pecking. Red-bellied and downy woodpecker compete similarly at the suet cages with their
hairy cousins sometimes entering the rotation.
Dark-eyed junco scavenge below, and several resident Carolina wren (One lives in that house hanging off the corner of the building…) maneuver in intermittent shifts through low lying branches. Blue jay make their presence known vocally before venturing in, and a small group of more reserved mourning dove typically makes its way closer as afternoons progress.
Northern cardinal, song sparrow, and brown creeper are occasional visitors, with others including American crow, American goldfinch, American robin, hermit thrush, American tree sparrow, and fox sparrow observed during more brief and isolated periods. Though rarities are aptly uncommon, there are also no invasives with which to contend, unless we define the term differently and include the occasional hawk.
Red-tailed, Cooper’s, and sharp-shinned all check for status updates, mostly via flyover. Strikes occur extremely rarely. The raptors’ mere appearances though, elicit an instant freezing (as in assuming a motionless position–not in an it’s 30 degrees in the shade and I forgot the Under Armour kind of way) among the smaller birds, creating a silent and somewhat surreal spectacle.
On the plus side of contending with 30 degree temperatures, though choosing a sunny day is most advantageous, shooting here after or even during (See roofed…) a snowfall makes for a sublime photographic experience. The forest itself provides a kind of magical (That’s right, going with magical.) setting when coated in white. And the ground being blanketed not only encourages increased activity at manmade food stations but provides images with added beauty and character as well as enhanced lighting (See shadow issues (Maybe see wooded again if necessary…)…).
With a slight increase in temperature, titmouse and chickadee cling to icicles, drinking droplets as they form. And for those without prejudice, deer can often be easily spotted under these conditions throughout the park. This might be of worthwhile if secondary interest as the sanctuary of course loses the light before do Cheesequake’s many fields.
The nature center is typically open from 8-4 Wednesday through Sunday. Calling in advance is advisable if one wants to be assured of immediate access to bathroom facilities and escapes from the cold (and a hand dryer which, okay, odd, but for the warmth provided a photographer would likely eventually share my appreciation).
Food might not be present at all times but Jim is giving readers permission to bring and distribute seed (Be sure there’s sunflower in the mix.) and suet to insure activity. Results are typically swift and satisfying.
And oh yeah, nuts. Offering peanuts will garner immediate popularity with certain (upwards of two dozen) bushy-tailed residents. If not looking to make friends nor prone to begging-induced guilt (Just me?), indulging the squirrels will also help keep feeders clear for the more typically welcome feathered patrons. And dispensing on the previously recommended platform in particular will optimize results by bringing the most discriminating (blue jay, wren) and timid (red-bellied woodpecker) subjects closer.
Throw in lunch for yourself and a rewarding and unusually comfortable cold weather day at Cheesequake is virtually guaranteed. Just remember the Under Armour.
All photos were taken last winter with a handheld Canon 40D and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. That’d be the author on deck with a tripod-mounted Canon 500mm f/4L IS this winter.
So far at Island Beach State Park, this year, we had two Birding-by-Kayak trips sponsored by Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ and they were a huge hit. The highlight, was a Greater Scaup which was present on both trips in the same location in the little cove called, “Spizzle Creek.” This bird should be high in the northern latitudes at this time of the year on it’s breeding grounds. Instead it did not make it up there this year due to many possible causes. We also had a Turkey Vulture fly right over us on the Sedge Islands, which was a first for me there and many others for that location. It was a strong west wind that day, which most likely brought the vulture all the way to Island Beach. Herons, egrets, warblers, flycatchers and terns were plentiful on the tours. Two weeks ago, we also had the first of the migratory shorebirds showing up on the sandbars and mudflats to refuel for their journey back south to their wintering grounds in the southern U.S, Mexico, and Central and South America. More and more shorebirds are trickling into the area each day!
Birders use kayaks to reach birding hot spots inside Sedge Islands. Photo by Skyler Streich
Conserve Wildlife Foundation is partnering with Island Beach State Park and The Friends of Island Beach this year to help keep these wonderful tours for years to come. There are many more birding tours available at the park this summer, so all you have to do is sign up and you are on your way to a learning adventure at a beautiful location!
There are 3 more “Birding by Kayak” tours being offered this season. August 18; September 1, 15. Cost is $25. To sign up call Kathy at 732-250-6314 or email her: D-Kathy@live.com.
We are also offering two great birding programs for both beginner and advanced levels of birdwatchers. The Beginner program on August 25th, will show participants how to properly use binoculars, and learn how to use field guides to identify the birds they are seeing. The Advanced program will focus on tackling the identification of the many shorebirds that will be present at Island Beach. That program is offered on July 28th and August 11th. The Cost is free. Please preregister by calling the nature center at Island Beach at; 732-793-1698 or email: ibspnature@netcarrier.com.
We hope that you join us for an unforgettable experience at Island Beach State Park!
This weekend (September 25 & 26th) Conserve Wildlife Foundation will be at the 1st annual New Jersey Wild Outdoor Expo located inside Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. The event is being hosted by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Parks and Forestry, and the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
The NJ Wild Outdoor Expo is September 25th & 26th, from 10am – 4pm.
The New Jersey Wild Outdoor Expo is an exciting way to feature the state’s hunting, fishing and wildlife watching heritage. The event will educate participants about meaningful conservation and outdoor safety practices while fostering environmental stewardship and ethics in an effort to get more children, families and other groups into the great outdoors.
The Expo seeks to help people connect with the natural world by providing a unique blend of conservation information, education and hands-on opportunities to learn outdoor skills and activities. We will be conducting a “Build a Bat House” workshop at the event. We will also have an informational table with books, field guides, and apparel. Visitors can also learn about and try a wide array of activities including fishing, hiking, shooting sports, kayaking, rock climbing, camping, wildlife watching and much more.
As the Barnegat Bay Birder-in-Residence for CWF of NJ I led a total of 4 Bird Walks and 4 Birding by Kayak Tours in Island Beach State Park. It was very successful with a total of 60 people attending the Birding by Kayak trips and a total of 34 participants for my bi-weekly bird walks. There were many repeat customers, mostly from participants that enjoyed the Birding by Kayak trips so much so they wanted to attend my bird walks too. The participants ranged from beginners to excellent and avid birdwatchers. So it was a nice mix of skill levels of bird identification abilities on the trips. The Birding by Kayak tours were sponsored by the Friends of Island Beach State Park, so they advertised those tours via the IBSP Visitor Guide. As for my bird walks I advertised them by printing out flyers and distributing them to local businesses like Big Ed’s produce, Lavallette Post Office, Wild Birds Unlimited and Cattus Island County Park. Also Pete Bacinski of Sandy Hook posted my walks in the Rare Bird Alerts which is posted on the JerseyBirds forum. And of course, they were posted on CWF’s Calendar of Events.
The tours were extremely successful in seeing all of the common birds of the Barnegat Bay area as well as numerous uncommon to rare sightings. Each kayak tour gave participants the chance to see and compare all the herons and egrets that inhabit the saltmarshes of Barnegat Bay. Each tour there were juvenile Little Blue Herons, which are all white, and the later tours had Black-crowned Night Herons. More than once we got to see beautiful and not too common shorebirds like Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits along with the much more common sandpipers and plovers. Other great shorebirds seen on the BBK trips were Pectoral Sandpipers and a Solitary Sandpiper. We even had a Caspian Tern amongst the Royal Terns. It seems that Ospreys were even more abundant this year than last year, with plenty of hatch year juveniles around in late July and August. Also, American Oystercatchers seemed unusually abundant this year.
The bird walks also produced some exciting and uncommon birds. Least Terns seemed to be in pretty high numbers in August. Also we had multiple Black Tern sightings in and around the inlet area. One of the best finds was a group of 8 Common Eiders that decided not to migrate to their arctic breeding grounds and just stay in Island Beach for the summer. We also had 1 single Piping Plover feeding amongst the Sanderlings and Semipalmated Plovers on the shoreline. That was only the second Piping Plover I have ever seen at IBSP in my life. So all in all, it was a very successful season with very successful tours and each participant walked away with a greater appreciation of the magnificent birdlife that relies on the Barnegat Bay area for their survival.
