|
Important Bird and Birding Areas
|
Northern Pine Barrens
Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Monmouth, and Ocean CountiesCoordinates: N 39.85128
W 74.47868
Site Map Pinelands: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 542,472 Acres Habitat: Coniferous and mixed upland forest with scrub-shrub habitat, forested wetland, and areas of old fields and cranberry bogsSite Description: The Northern Pine Barrens IBA encompasses typical Pine Barrens habitats including mixed upland forest and scrub-shrub, as well as forested wetlands, grasslands and Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamps. The Northern Pine Barrens region is characterized by excessively drained, bleached sand that supports a primarily coniferous forest. Pitch pine (Pinus rigida) is the dominant tree species in this area with some hardwoods, mostly oak species. The Northern Pine Barrens contains a higher pine to oak ratio than its southern counterpart. The site is centrally located and overlaps numerous counties. This macrosite includes or intersects the following IBAs: Manasquan River Watershed, Turkey Swamp Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Colliers Mills WMA, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Greenwood Forest/ Pasadena WMA, Franklin Parker Preserve/ Wharton State Forest, Bass River Marsh and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge - Brigantine Division. This site also contains several Natural Heritage Priority Sites consisting of private lands and significant portions of public lands.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-shouldered Hawk, Vesper Sparrow |
| Conservation Concern – State-threatened (B) | Barred Owl, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Savannah Sparrow |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Whip-poor-will, Wild Turkey |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Forested Wetland (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, American Black Duck, Chimney Swift, Fish Crow, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mallard, Wood Duck, Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, American Black Duck, Baltimore Oriole, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Jay, Broad-winged Hawk, Brown Thrasher, Carolina Chickadee, Common Grackle, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mallard, Northern Flicker, Scarlet Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Whip-poor-will, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Significant Congregations (W) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Congregations (SM) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (B) | Eastern Towhee, Ovenbird, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (B) | |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (FM) | Landbirds |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (SM) | Landbirds |
 |
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Steve Byland |
| |
Birds: The Northern Pine Barrens IBA supports a diversity of bird species, ranging from grassland and scrub-shrub species to interior forest species. State-endangered raptors including Red-shouldered Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and Northern Harriers nest at this site. State-threatened Grassland and Savannah Sparrows also nest among the grasslands of the Northern Pinelands. Due to its size and geographic location, this region is host to exceptional concentrations of several bird species including Pine Warblers, Ovenbirds and Prairie Warblers. The site is important transitional habitat for songbirds during spring and fall migrations.Conservation: The primary threats to this area include heavy development, over abundant white-tailed deer, the loss of natural disturbance, illegal off-road vehicle use, the fragmentation of forests by road construction and the spread of invasive species. Although the Northern Pine Barrens IBA contains Wharton State Forest (the largest tract of land in the state’s park system) and Brendan T. Byrne State Forest (the state’s second largest state forest), the area still faces increasing pressure from rapid development. Increased development decreases water quality through the loss of natural filtering systems, such as forests and wetlands. In addition, the natural water flow has been altered to create cranberry bogs. Wetlands restoration projects include dike removal and Atlantic White Cedar plantings. Protection of public and private lands should occur through regulation and restoration on priority land parcels. Large parcels linking or adjacent to protected areas need to be prioritized for acquisition to avoid fragmentation. Private lands can be protected by providing landowners incentives for protecting and managing habitat. Over abundant deer can reduce the understory by overgrazing, allowing invasive species to gain a foothold thereby degrading habitat for other species. Installing deer-proof fencing protects shrubs and young trees from deer herbivory. Increased law enforcement and decreased access are recommended to limit habitat degradation by off-road vehicles. Appropriate methods of controlling invasive species, including southern pine beetles and gypsy moths, also need to be implemented. The state’s Wildlife Action Plan recommends maintaining deer densities at historical levels and the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS) is working with state regulators to promote deer management regulations. The alteration of the natural disturbance regime has changed the character of the Northern Pine Barrens. Active management of upland forest habitats and grassland habitats that mimic natural disturbances, such as fire, are recommended. This can be achieved by burning or mowing grasslands annually. NJAS has plans to manage the forested Hovnanian Sanctuary, located near the northern border of the Northern Pinelands, to reduce fuel loads, mimic the natural fire regime and increase the presence of Atlantic White Cedar. These plans will restore degraded habitat and return the area to a more traditional Pine Barrens community. NJAS plans to use this sanctuary as a demonstration site to encourage active forest management.Additional Information: Site Report
 |
| Northern Pine Barrens Habitat | NJ Forest Service |
| |
|
|