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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Assunpink Wildlife Management Area
Mercer and Monmouth CountiesCoordinates: N 40.20966
W 74.51442
Site Map Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 8,088 Acres Habitat: Shrub-scrub, mixed upland forest and open waterSite Description: Assunpink Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of a mixture of scrub-shrub, mixed upland forest and several lakes along Assunpink Creek. A majority of this land formed after the construction of a series of dams placed on the Creek to protect the City of Trenton from flooding. While this watershed is one of the most developed in New Jersey, it remains a valuable natural resource.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (SM) | Vesper Sparrow |
| Conservation Concern – State-threatened (W) | Long-eared Owl |
| Conservation Concern – State-special Concern (W) | Pied-billed Grebe |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | American Woodcock, Black-and-white Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Baltimore Oriole, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Common Grackle, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Kentucky Warbler, Northern Flicker, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Wild Turkey, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Significant Congregations (W, SM) | Waterfowl |
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| Brown Thrasher | Steve Byland |
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Birds: This site provides breeding habitat for numerous scrub-shrub and mixed upland forest dependant species. Cooper’s Hawks also nest at Assunpink WMA. The dominant waterfowl species found at this IBA throughout winter and spring migration include Ruddy Ducks, Common Mergansers, Lesser Scaup, Pied-billed Grebes and Ring-necked Ducks. Additional state-listed birds occurring at Assunpink WMA include wintering state-threatened Long-eared Owls and state-endangered Vesper Sparrows during spring migration.Conservation: Expansion of suburban and commercial development throughout the Assunpink Creek watershed has led to habitat destruction and degradation as well as increases in nonpoint sources of pollution, primarily urban runoff. This is a larger problem in the lower portions of Assunpink Creek that pass through the highly urbanized areas of suburban Trenton and into the City of Trenton. The US Army Corps of Engineers recently implemented a project along Assunpink Creek that will increase the amount and quality of available riparian habitat. This project involves the removal of culverts and impervious cover, restoration and stabilization of creek banks and construction of a multi-use trail. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network coordinates volunteer water quality monitoring along the Creek and assists with the development of local stream protection projects. Protection of undeveloped, privately-owned lands adjacent to the WMA can also be achieved by promoting landowner incentives for protecting and managing habitat and by prioritizing parcels for acquisition. NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program is responsible for protecting approximately 18% of the Assunpink Creed watershed. Additional concerns include the succession of scrub-shrub and grassland habitats to forest. These could be prevented through periodic disturbance. Management could include cutting or removal of woody vegetation, mowing, burning or use of herbicides.Additional Information: Site Report
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