|
Important Bird and Birding Areas
|
Atlantic City Airport
Atlantic CountyCoordinates: N 39.45202
W 74.57525
Site Map Pinelands: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 8,079 Acres Habitat: Grassland; small areas of shrub-scrub and mixed woodsSite Description: The Atlantic City Airport is a mix of commercial airport operations and natural habitats. Apart from the property devoted directly to airport operations, the site has a large expanse of grassland habitat and areas of scrub-shrub and mixed upland forest. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection designated this site a Natural Heritage Priority Site for harboring some of NJ’s most significant habitats.
 |
| Upland Sandpiper | Bill Dalton |
| |
Birds: This site supports impressive numbers of breeding grassland birds including state-endangered Upland Sandpipers, as many as 80 state-endangered Grasshopper Sparrows and approximately 30 state-special concern Eastern Meadowlarks. State-endangered Northern Harriers also breed at the site.Conservation: NJAS has been a key player in the coordination of restoration plans for a 290 acre Grassland Conservation and Management Area at the Atlantic City Airport. Restoration activities have included shrub removal and native grass restoration to enhance habitat for breeding grassland birds. Fire is a component of the plan to control the invasive plant, Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), which outcompetes native grassland plants. Grassland bird surveys are conducted regularly to assess the effectiveness of these management strategies. Additional restoration efforts will create habitat for the frosted elfin butterfly. As a fully operational airport, bird collisions and the potential for operation expansion continue to threaten the integrity of the site.Additional Information: Site Report
 |
| Field at Atlantic City Airport | Troy Ettel |
| |
|
|