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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Bear Swamp/Red Lion Preserve
Burlington CountyCoordinates: N 39.87928
W 74.77802
Site Map Pinelands: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 4,858 Acres Habitat: Primarily forested wetland with shrub-scrub and mixed upland forestsSite Description: Bear Swamp/Red Lion Preserve is located in the western portion of the Pinelands region near the small community of Red Lion. This IBA is a large expanse of primarily forested wetlands including pitch-pine (Pinus rigida) lowlands, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamps and remnant cranberry bogs. The site is composed of three tracts donated to the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (NLT) and many privately owned lands.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Prairie Warbler, Whip-poor-will |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Forested Wetland (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Fish Crow, Kentucky Warbler, Mallard |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Black-billed Cuckoo, Carolina Chickadee, Common Grackle, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Kentucky Warbler, Northern Flicker, Scarlet Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Whip-poor-will |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (B) | Landbirds |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (SM) | Landbirds |
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| Acadian Flycatcher | David Lapuma |
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Birds: This site supports state-endangered Red-shouldered Hawks and suites of bird species dependant upon the extensive forested wetland, scrub-shrub or mixed upland forests that occur throughout the site. Notable concentrations of breeding American Woodcocks, Hairy Woodpeckers and Brown Creepers have also been observed. Wintering bird species include Long-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles and Sharp-shinned Hawks. A Doppler Radar migration study, “Oases Along the Flyway,” conducted by the Research Department of New Jersey Audubon Society has confirmed this site as critical stopover habitat for migrating songbirds during spring and fall migration.Conservation: Only about a third of the Bear Swamp/Red Lion Preserve IBA is owned and managed by the NLT. Expansion of existing development and activities associated with residential development threaten the remaining habitats of this site. Protection of privately-owned lands can be achieved by promoting landowner incentives for protecting and managing habitat and by prioritizing parcels for conservation and acquisition. Control of invasive species, including southern pine beetles and gypsy moths, need to be implemented through appropriate methods. Forests should be protected as large, contiguous patches and managed to maintain a diversity of Pinelands community types including early successional habitats. Illegal off-road vehicle use is a major threat that requires control through increased law enforcement. Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism has been identified as a threat at this site.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Red Lion Preserve | Jennifer Bulava |
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