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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Wharton State Forest
Atlantic, Burlington, and Camden CountiesCoordinates: N 39.71434
W 74.65471
Pinelands: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 191,166 Acres Habitat: Mixed upland forest, freshwater wetlands and fallow cranberry bogsSite Description: Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System and is a major component of the largest remaining contiguous forest blocks in the state. Located in the Pinelands Region, the area is composed of mature pine forest, oak forest, pine/oak forest, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) swamps, Tupelo/Maple swamps and fallow cranberry bogs. The site includes the headwaters of the Mullica and Batso Rivers and the southern headwaters of Rancocas Creek. Friendship Bogs and several privately owned parcels are also included in this site.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Red-shouldered Hawk |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Scrub-shrub/Barrens (B) | Blue-winged Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Whip-poor-will |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Black-and-white Warbler, Gray Catbird, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Duck |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Single Species Concentration (B) | Eastern Towhee, Ovenbird, Pine Warbler, Prairie Warbler |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (B) | |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (FM, SM) | Landbirds |
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| Common Nighthawk | Jim Gilbert |
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Birds: The Wharton State Forest IBA supports a wide variety of bird species throughout the year. State-endangered Red-shouldered Hawks breed within Wharton State Forest. The site also supports characteristic species of scrub-shrub habitat and mixed upland forest. Significant concentrations of breeding Pine Warblers, Ovenbirds, Prairie Warblers and Eastern Towhees are consistently observed here. Additional notable concentrations include Black-and-white Warblers, Gray Catbirds, Scarlet Tanagers and Wood Ducks. The scrub-shrub areas along Caranza Road near Friendship Bogs provides important breeding habitat for Common Nighthawks, Whip-poor-wills and Chuck-will’s-widows. The Research Department of New Jersey Audubon Society has identified this site as an important stopover area for songbirds during spring and fall migration through its Doppler Radar migration study, “Oases Along the Flyway.”Conservation: The majority of this site is protected from development. Protection of privately-owned lands can be achieved by promoting landowner incentives for protecting and managing habitat and by prioritizing parcels for acquisition. Control of invasive species, including southern pine beetles and gypsy moths, can be implemented with appropriate methods. Forests should be protected as large, contiguous patches while maintaining a diversity of Pinelands community types including early successional habitats. Illegal off-road vehicle use is also a major threat that requires control through increased law enforcement. Other threats include wildfire and habitat loss through succession to forested communities.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Creek at Wharton State Forest | Cristina Frank |
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