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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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North Shore Coastal Ponds Complex
Monmouth and Ocean CountiesCoordinates: N 40.17145
W 74.02346
Site Map Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 1,469 Acres Habitat: Open waterSite Description: The North Shore Coastal Ponds Complex is composed of several fresh and brackish water ponds, river and stream inlets in the coastal sections of Monmouth County. This complex stretches from the Manasquan Inlet at Point Pleasant to Sandy Hook and includes Old Mill Pond, Old Sam's Pond, Stockton Lake, Wreck Pond, Spring Lake, Lake Como, Silver Lake, Fletcher Lake and Lake Takanassee. Most of these waters are surrounded by dense development and act as stormwater retention basins. Tidal flow is primarily regulated by outflow pipes extending into the adjacent Atlantic Ocean.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – Federally-endangered; State-endangered (B) | Least Tern |
| Conservation Concern – Federally-threatened; State-endangered (B) | Piping Plover |
| Conservation Concern – Conservation Priority (W) | Brant |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Beach/Dune (B) | Least Tern, Piping Plover |
| Significant Congregations (W) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (B) | Black-crowned Night-Heron |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (W) | American Black Duck, Brant |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (W) | Gulls & Terns |
| Long-term Research/Monitoring | |
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| Bonaparte's Gull | Kevin Watson |
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Birds: State-endangered Least Terns and Piping Plovers breed and forage among the many water bodies of the North Shore Coastal Ponds Complex. Wintering waterfowl species include Northern Shovelers, American Wigeons, Redheads, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers and exceptional concentrations of Brant and American Black Ducks. Thousands of wintering gulls, including Bonaparte's, Ring-billed, Herring, and Great Black-backed species, also frequent this site.Conservation: The open waters of the North Shore Coastal Ponds Complex are almost entirely surrounded by development with little to no protective buffers from the resulting nonpoint source pollution. Native vegetation has either been outcompeted by the invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) or has been destroyed by frequent mowing. Sediments carried in by feeder creeks and increased stormwater runoff have led to reduced water levels and high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s plan to improve water quality by dredging of the several ponds could negatively impact foraging habitat for migrating and nesting birds. The US Fish and Wildlife Service offered alternatives which include controlling nutrient and sediment input. Some portions of habitat within this IBA are protected as publicly-owned open space parcels and by federal and state freshwater wetlands laws and regulations. However, additional protection and restoration of any remaining undeveloped sites adjacent to this complex should be achieved through conservation easements, acquisition, purchase of development rights, enforcement of existing regulations and by encouraging landowners to participate in restoration through state and federal incentive programs. Additional threats include a non-indigenous population of Mute Swans, which are capable of reducing availability of food resources for native avifauna, and by further establishment of an invasive plant, the common reed. Long term monitoring of a Least Tern/Piping Plover colony at Wreck Pond has been conducted by NJ Department of Environmental Protection since 1995. The Wreck Pond Watershed Preservation Association and Monmouth County Audubon continue to advocate for protection and restoration of this IBA.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Wreck Pond | Nancy Maclearie-Hayduk |
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