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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Wantage Grasslands
Sussex CountyCoordinates: N 41.27872
W 74.61146
Skylands: Appalachian MountainsArea: 6,833 Acres Habitat: Mix of upland forest, grassland, cultivated field and fallow fieldsSite Description: The Wantage Grasslands of Sussex County contain a mix of privately-owned grassland, cultivated and fallow fields, as well as forested uplands and wetlands, associated with several tributaries of the Wallkill River. The northern portion of the site contains a number of active farms, planted cornfields, cattle and horse grazing and fallow fields. Unlike the southern portion of the site, many of these farms are preserved through New Jersey’s Farmland Preservation Program. The southern grassland patches and other habitats are smaller and more fragmented due to development. Although the most productive areas for grassland birds occur in the northern portion of the Wantage Grasslands, some suitable habitat remains in the south.
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| Upland Sandpiper | Kevin Watson |
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Birds: This site supports a diversity of state-listed grassland bird species throughout the breeding season. These include state-endangered Vesper Sparrows, Sedge Wrens and Upland Sandpipers, state-threatened Grasshopper Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks, American Kestrels and state-special concern Eastern Meadowlarks.Conservation: The greatest threats to the early successional habitats at this site are habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from increased development, conversion to cropland or other noncompatible agricultural use and succession of grassland or shrubland to forest. Development pressure is particularly strong on upland habitats in the southern portion of the site. Protection against development can be achieved through easements, acquisition, zoning or other means. Habitat restoration on private lands can be encouraged by promoting federal and state incentive programs, many of which prioritize grassland restoration. Habitat management may include native warm season grassland restoration or installation of riparian buffer. Riparian buffers reduce runoff from the adjacent land and provide valuable wildlife habitat. Active management of grasslands is necessary to provide suitable breeding habitat for early successional bird species. Management techniques, including delayed mowing and haying, grazing and prescribed burning, can be directed towards a variety of grassland habitat types to benefit species diversity. Additionally, landowners should be encouraged to delay mowing until mid-June to allow young birds sufficient time to fledge. In 2004, NJ Audubon Society funded a monitoring project to inventory grassland birds breeding at this site and several other priority grassland sites in Sussex County.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Typical Grassland Habitat | John Parke |
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