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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Kittatinny Camp/Van Ness Road
Sussex CountyCoordinates: N 41.20049
W 74.86644
Skylands: Appalachian MountainsArea: 14,443 Acres Habitat: Primarily scrub-shrub with deciduous and coniferous forestSite Description: This site is located in Sandyston Township between Old Mine Road and Route 560 and includes the scrub-shrub and forested habitats along Van Ness Road and within the Kittatinny Mountain Scout Reservation. This site is contained within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and borders Stokes State Forest. The Central New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America owns a majority of the site and maintains it as a recreational facility for Boy Scouts. The Reservation consists of over 500 acres, including a 60-acre lake. This site is part of the Delaware Valley Water Gap Macrosite IBA.
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| Golden-winged Warbler | Kevin Watson |
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Birds: Kittatinny Camp/Van Ness Road provides valuable scrub-shrub habitat for the state-threatened Golden-winged Warbler. Additional early successional species that breed here include Prairie Warblers, Blue-winged Warblers, American Woodcocks, Eastern Towhees, Field Sparrows, Yellow-breasted Chats, Brown Thrashers, Wild Turkeys and Indigo Buntings.Conservation: While expanding residential development has resulted in increased habitat loss and fragmentation in the area, the primary threat to this IBA is the succession of scrub-shrub habitat to forest. Without regular maintenance, early successional habitats will naturally succeed to forested habitats. Maintenance of scrub-shrub habitat requires intensive management, such as selective mowing and application of herbicides, to prevent the establishment of tree species, control invasive species and maintain shrubs. Recreational activities and overuse of the site may also be disturbing breeding bird species. Additional threats include overabundant deer and invasion of exotic pests and tree diseases.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Scrub-shrub habitat | John Parke |
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