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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Southern Pine Barrens
Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Gloucester CountiesCoordinates: N 39.44662
W 74.83337
Site Map Pinelands: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 403,708 Acres Habitat: Primarily upland and mixed forest with scrub-shrub habitat, forested wetlands and grasslandsSite Description: The Southern Pine Barrens IBA is a macrosite encompassing mostly oak-pine forests in the Southern portion of the state. The forest species mix is distinct from the Northern Pine Barrens IBA. The Southern Pine Barrens is characterized by well-drained loamy sand which supports a lower pine to oak ratio and a distinct avian community. In addition to the oak-pine forests, this site also includes more typical coastal habitats including non-tidal wetlands, open water and riparian areas. This site also supports extensive hardwood swamps and early successional habitats including the typical Pine Barrens scrub-shrub community and grasslands. The Pinelands largest and most pristine watershed drains into the Mullica River in the northern part of the Southern Pine Barrens IBA. The site encompasses several Natural Heritage Priority Sites and includes or intersects Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) - Brigantine Division, Maurice River Corridor, Peaslee Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Belleplain State Forest, Mullica River Corridor, Atlantic City Airport, Cape May NWR - Great Cedar Swamp Division, Bear Swamp Natural Area, Buckshutem WMA, and Millville (Edward G. Bevans) WMA IBAs.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Conservation Concern – State-threatened (W) | Bald Eagle |
| Conservation Concern – State-threatened (B) | Barred Owl, Cooper's Hawk, Grasshopper Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Savannah Sparrow |
| Conservation Concern – State-special Concern (B) | Broad-winged Hawk |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | American Woodcock, Blue-winged Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Whip-poor-will, Wild Turkey |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Forested Wetland (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, American Black Duck, Chimney Swift, Fish Crow, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Mallard, Wood Duck, Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Black-and-white Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue Jay, Broad-winged Hawk, Carolina Chickadee, Common Grackle, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Kentucky Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Flicker, Scarlet Tanager, Tufted Titmouse, Whip-poor-will, Wild Turkey, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Vireo |
| Significant Congregations (W) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (B) | Yellow-throated Warbler |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (FM) | Landbirds, Raptors |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (SM) | Landbirds |
| Long-term Research/Monitoring | |
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| Red-tailed Hawk | Steve Byland |
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Birds: The Southern Pine Barrens IBA supports an impressive diversity of avian communities. The large forested tracts support breeding populations of several raptor species including state-endangered breeding Bald Eagles, state-threatened Barred Owls and Cooper’s Hawks as well as the state’s most impressive wintering Bald Eagle population. Regional responsibility species found among forest, forested wetland and scrub-shrub habitats also breed throughout the region. This region is of significant importance throughout spring and fall migrations to landbirds and raptors.Conservation: The major threats to the Southern Pine Barrens IBA include residential, commercial and industrial development, invasive species, loss of early successional habitats and illegal off-road vehicle use. While large portions of the Southern Pine Barrens IBA are protected, fragmentation and development of adjacent privately-owned habitats degrade habitat and water quality. Nearby sand and gravel operations create large gaps in suitable habitat and road widening and the construction of power lines increase habitat fragmentation. Additionally, the southern pine beetle is a destructive forest pest. Early successional habitats, such as grasslands, shrub/ scrub habitat and classic Pine Barrens habitat are threatened by forest succession. Appropriate active management, including brush hogging, mowing, disking, prescribed burning and silviculture, are required to prevent the loss of these habitats from the landscape. Grasslands restoration, including burning, shrub removal and native grass restoration, has occurred at the Atlantic City Airport, a fully operational airport that also provides valuable wildlife habitat. Illegal off-road vehicle use destroys habitat and disturbs nesting and feeding birds. Increased patrol of the area by conservation or law enforcement officers is required to deter uncontrolled ORV traffic. Protection and restoration of the Southern Pinelands Macrosite can also be accomplished by promoting landowner incentives for protecting and managing habitat and by prioritizing parcels for acquisition. Several local and state organizations have been working to protect and enhance this site. These organizations are responsible for successfully acquiring lands for open space, improving habitat, conducting outreach to landowners about conservation opportunities, affecting policy and implementing effective monitoring programs. New Jersey Audubon Society is currently working with several landowners within the macrosite to implement forest stewardship plans.Additional Information: Site Report
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| A Southern Pine Barrens creek | Mark S. Garland |
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