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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Hatfield Swamp
Essex and Morris CountiesCoordinates: N 40.90025
W 74.31546
Skylands: PiedmontArea: 4,197 Acres Habitat: Forested wetland, shrub-scrub and riparian habitatSite Description: The majority of the Hatfield Swamp consists of forested wetlands with areas of scrub-shrub habitat and emergent wetland within the flood plain of the Passaic River. The site encompasses the Great Piece Meadows Natural Heritage Priority Site. This wetland complex also intersects the Passaic Meadows Macrosite Natural Heritage Priority Site, a series of expansive wetland complexes adjacent to the Passaic and Whippany Rivers in an area once covered by the Glacial Lake Passaic. The northern portion of 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).
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| Green Heron | Mike Lyncheski |
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Birds: Hatfield Swamp and the surrounding wetlands provide an oasis of habitat for breeding, wintering and migrating bird species in an otherwise urban landscape. Breeding birds include state-endangered Barred Owls and significant concentrations of American Woodcocks. The site hosts scrub-shrub specialists and as many as 100 Wild Turkeys during a breeding season. Hatfield Swamp also supports populations of water birds including Spotted Sandpipers, Black-crowned Night-Herons, and Green and Great Blue Herons. A colony of more than 20 Great Blue Heron nests at Troy Meadows and forages at Hatfield Swamp. American Kestrels, Merlins and other raptor species utilize the area during fall migration. Wintering Sharp-shinned Hawks, Long-eared Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls are also common.Conservation: This region of New Jersey is highly urbanized and contains very few areas of contiguous habitat. The remaining undeveloped floodplains, including Hatfield Swamp, flood frequently and are subject to dramatic habitat changes with each storm. Although the majority of this site is protected from development as open space, it is heavily impacted by the surrounding land uses. Inputs of nonpoint source pollution and a nearby sewage plant have severely degraded the wetland habitats and water quality at the site. Extensive ditching installed to control flooding and mosquitos has significantly altered the hydrology of the wetlands. There is also potential for the construction of the Eisenhower Parkway, proposed to intersect the swamp. Although the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS) successfully advocated against the project, it remains a local political interest. BCAS continues to raise local public awareness of the importance of conservation and the site. Disturbance from recreational activities include off-road vehicles. Many invasive plants, including the common reed (Phragmites australis), have replaced much of the more beneficial marsh vegetation throughout the floodplain. Protection or acquisition of lands adjacent to existing open space should be a priority to ensure the availability of essential habitat in this region. The Essex County Park Commission, Wildlife Preserves, Inc., and a number of local municipalities currently own portions of the Hatfield Swamp.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Hatfield Swamp in winter | David Alexander |
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