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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Clinton Wildlife Management Area
Hunterdon CountyCoordinates: N 40.6669
W 74.96624
Skylands: PiedmontArea: 11,697 Acres Habitat: Primarily open water surrounded by shrub-scrub, upland forest and cultivated fieldsSite Description: This site includes the forested and scrub-shrub habitats of the Clinton Wildlife Management Area (WMA) as well as the open waters and surrounding habitats of the Spruce Run Reservoir. The Spruce Run Reservoir is a Category One waterbody, designated by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to maintain water quality and to protect designated uses. The Spruce Run Recreation Area was preserved to protect the water quality of New Jersey’s third largest reservoir and now provides recreational opportunities for NJ residents and habitat for a variety of wildlife species. This site also includes the Union Forge Nature Preserved owned by Hunterdon County. This site is located within the Highlands Preservation Area, a region of exceptional natural resource value designated by NJDEP’s Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (Highlands Act).IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 28 Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 28 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Wild Turkey, Yellow-breasted Chat |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 29 Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Duck, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (B) | Landbirds |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (SM) | Landbirds |
| Long-term Research/Monitoring (B) | American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Prairie Warbler, Wild Turkey, Yellow-breasted Chat |
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| Yellow-bellied Cuckoo | Robert Lin |
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Birds: This site supports is located within both the Piedmont (29) and Appalachian (30) Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) and supports an incredible diversity of breeding birds. Forest interior and scrub-shrub habitat specialists from both regions regularly breed at the Clinton WMA and Spruce Run Reservoir. Among this diverse group are Kentucky, Hooded, Black-and-white, and Chestnut-sided Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chats, White-eyed Vireos, and Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos. Other species include high densities of Veeries, Wood Thrushes, Scarlet Tanagers and Orchard Orioles. Cooper’s Hawks also breed here. Northern Saw-whet Owls winter at this site.Conservation: The habitats surrounding Clinton WMA and Spruce Run Reservoir Recreation Area are under severe development threat. Increased stormwater and pollutant loads from the adjacent development have led to excessive nutrients and sediments found in the Spruce Run Reservoir and its tributaries. Development has also facilitated the establishment of invasive plant species. The forests of the region are further threatened by invasions of exotic forest pests, including the gypsy moth, and diseases such as beech bark disease. Heavy recreational use of the area may also disturb nesting bird species. NJDEP’s Green Acres Program has committed to preserving 6700 acres around Spruce Run Reservoir, with assistance from Hunterdon County, the NJ Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), the US Forest Service (USFS), the Morris Land Conservancy and other partners. The USFS and NJSWA helped fund a Preservation Plan which calls for preservation and improved development planning in the watershed municipalities. In an effort to improve water quality at the Spruce Run Reservoir, the NJWSA has implemented a stream restoration project on the Mulhockaway Creek, a tributary to the reservoir. Various structures will be installed to repair eroded stream banks and deteriorated culverts and to restore the natural water flow. Opportunities to work with local landowners to reduce nonpoint source pollution, conserve water and restore and improve habitats on their properties should also be identified.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Spruce Run at Clinton WMA | John Parke |
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