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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Oradell Reservoir and Woods
Bergen CountyCoordinates: N 40.96843
W 74.00609
Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 1,252 Acres Habitat: Open water surrounded by deciduous and coniferous forestSite Description: The Oradell Reservoir and woods is located in Bergen County downstream of Lake Tappan Reservoir. Like Lake Tappan Reservoir, Oradell Reservoir is owned and managed (as public water supply) by United Water. It was formed by a dam placed on the Hackensack River. This primarily open water site is surrounded by a mix of deciduous and coniferous forest.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Significant Congregations (FM) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (SM) | Landbirds |
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| Mallards Swimming | MacKenzie Hall |
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Birds: The reservoir often remains open throughout the fall and winter providing habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl. Fall migration can bring as many as 7000 Common Mergansers. Wintering waterfowl include Mallards, Canada Geese and Double-crested Cormorants. The surrounding woodlands provide perches for Bald Eagles and also provide nesting and stopover habitat for a diversity of passerines.Conservation: The Oradell Reservoir and its tributaries are protected with Category 1 water purity status in New Jersey. While this designation provides protection of a 300-foot buffer surrounding the reservoir, development of the remaining adjacent forestlands is pending. Local conservation groups, including Bergen Save the Watershed Action Network, have played critical roles in the campaign against additional development in the area. Additional protection of privately-owned lands can be achieved by promoting landowner incentives for protecting and managing habitat and by prioritizing parcels for acquisition.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Oradell Reservoir | John Parke |
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