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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset CountiesCoordinates: N 40.41938
W 74.60726
Piedmont Plains: PiedmontArea: 12,907 Acres Habitat: Freshwater flood plain and riverine habitatsSite Description: Before the development of railroads, the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal was one of America's busiest navigation canals responsible for moving coal from Pennsylvania to New York. In 1974, most of the canal and portions of the adjacent flood plain and upland habitats were declared a state park. This 70 mile linear park and its natural areas, including Cook and Bull’s Island, is now a valuable wildlife corridor, connecting fields and forests throughout central New Jersey, and providing water to about one million residents.
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| Field Sparrow | Kevin Watson |
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Birds: State-endangered Bald Eagles breed and winter at this site. Open fields in various stages of succession along the canal support state-threatened American Kestrels, American Woodcocks, Northern Bobwhites, Eastern Towhees and Field Sparrows. Additional birds breeding within D&R Canal State Park include Cooper’s Hawks, Veery and a Cliff Swallow colony at Bull’s Island. Spring and fall migrants rely heavily upon the stopover habitats provided by the Park. This IBA also supports an exceptional diversity of bird species throughout the year. Surveys conducted throughout the D&R Canal State Park revealed 160 species of birds, 90 of which nested in the park.Conservation: The D&R Canal Commission administers a land-use regulatory program in the areas within the park where new development could influence drainage, visual or other ecological impacts. The central New Jersey region is characterized by rolling hills that are drained by a network of streams that empty into the D&R Canal Park. The watershed area that could impact the Park encompasses almost 400 square miles, including parts of Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Major projects must meet the Commission’s standards for managing stormwater runoff. The Commission also reviews proposed projects within 1000 feet of the canal for visual impacts and projects within a mile of the Park for traffic impacts. Preservation of corridors along the major streams that enter the park is further required by the Commission. The park has over 30 Friends Groups offering support and advocacy for protection of D&R Canal State Park.Additional Information: Site Report
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| D and R Canal State Park | Eunice Wilkens |
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