Oldmans, Raccoon, Birch Creeks and Pedricktown Region

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Important Bird and Birding Areas

IBBA Site Guide

Gloucester and Salem Counties

Coordinates: N 39.7361
W 75.32123

Site Map

Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast

Area: 28,093 Acres

Habitat: Primarily stream-associated habitats and tidal wetland

Site Description: This site includes the open waters of Oldmans, Raccoon and Birch Creeks, associated wetlands, deciduous woods and scrub-shrub habitat, and the Pedricktown Marsh. The Oldmans watershed borders northern Salem and southern Gloucester Counties, the Raccoon watershed runs parallel to Oldmans to the north and Birch Creek runs between the two watersheds.

IBA Criteria:

Criterion	Species
Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B)	Bald Eagle, Least Bittern, Northern Harrier, Peregrine Falcon
Conservation Concern – Conservation Priority (B)	American Black Duck
Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Salt Marsh/Wetland (B)	American Black Duck, Mallard, Marsh Wren, Northern Pintail, Virginia Rail
Significant Congregations (W)	Waterfowl
Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (W)	Northern Pintail


American Black Duck	Tam Stuart

Birds: This IBA provides nesting habitat for the state-endangered Northern Harrier, Least Bittern, Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagle. The tidal wetlands host significant numbers of breeding American Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, Marsh Wrens, Virginia Rails and Mallards. Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teal and American Black Ducks utilize critical habitat areas throughout the winter and into the spring as they prepare for their northward migration. The area is also important for migratory birds and raptors.

Conservation: Intense development pressure, nonpoint source pollution and the invasive plant, the common reed (Phragmites australis), are major threats to this IBA. New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) and the South Jersey Land and Water Trust (SJLWT), nonprofit organizations whose mission it is to preserve and protect NJ’s land and natural resources, have targeted the habitats of Pedricktown and Oldmans, Raccoon and Birch Creeks for preservation. NJCF is preserving many farms in the area with the support of state and federal grants. The Oldmans Creek Watershed Association, a component of SJLWT, organizes road cleanups, water testing and outreach through watershed planning workshops. Two NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife properties, the Harrisonville Lake Wildlife Management Area on Oldmans Creek in South Harrison Township and Raccoon Creek Wildlife Management Area in Woolwich Township, provide protection of forested corridors along these waterways.

Additional Information: Site Report


Oldmans Creek	Michael Hogan