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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Musconetcong Gorge
Hunterdon CountyCoordinates: N 40.60835
W 75.10938
Skylands: Appalachian MountainsArea: 21,420 Acres Habitat: Forested uplandSite Description: The Musconetcong Gorge consists primarily of oak-hickory forest. The site is located in Holland Township in Hunterdon County and encompasses the county owned Musconetcong Gorge Preserve. The Musconetcong River, a National Wild and Scenic River designated by the National Park Service, navigates through the gorge. This site is located within the Highlands Preservation Area, a region of exceptional natural resource value designated by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (Highlands Act).IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 28 Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Black-and-white Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mallard, Scarlet Tanager, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler |
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| Baltimore Oriole | Kevin Watson |
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Birds: The upland forests of the Musconetcong Gorge support a diversity of breeding forest interior bird species. Its north facing slope is ideal habitat for Worm-eating Warblers. Cooper's Hawks and Cerulean Warblers also breed here.Conservation: Most of this site is owned and protected by Hunterdon County’s Department of Parks and Recreation; however, habitat loss and fragmentation from development of the adjacent privately-owned parcels threatens the integrity of the site. Potential gas pipeline expansion projects may also contribute to habitat loss and fragmentation. Habitat protection efforts should include prioritizing parcels for acquisition. Outreach to landowners interested in habitat restoration on their property is also recommended. Exotic pests and tree diseases may threaten forest health within the Muconetcong Gorge IBA. Furthermore, overabundant deer can severely reduce forest regeneration and alter forest structure by heavy browsing on native plants and the buds and young shoots of woody shrubs and saplings.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Native Grassland | John Parke |
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