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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Hamilton-Trenton Marsh
Burlington and Mercer CountiesCoordinates: N 40.17616
W 74.71183
Site Map Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 2,801 Acres Habitat: Deciduous forest, tidal and nontidal wetlandsSite Description: The diverse habitats of Hamilton-Trenton Marsh abut the Delaware River and are bordered on three sides by urban development. This site is a matrix of upland habitats, including deciduous woodland and scrub-shrub, and wetland habitats, including tidal and nontidal wetlands as well as the open waters of the Delaware River, Crosswicks Creek, Watson's Creek and Spring Lake. It also links the Crosswicks, Delaware & Raritan and Delaware River greenways. This site contains the Trenton Marsh Natural Heritage Priority Site. Designated by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Natural Heritage Priority Sites are considered the state’s most significant natural areas.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Bald Eagle, Pied-billed Grebe |
| Conservation Concern – State-special Concern (B) | Cliff Swallow |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Forested Wetland (B) | Fish Crow, Mallard, Wood Duck |
| Significant Congregations (SM) | Waterfowl |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity | |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (FM, SM) | Landbirds |
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| Cliff Swallow in flight | Jim Gilbert |
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Birds: Hamilton-Trenton Marsh supports state-endangered Pied-billed Grebe and Bald Eagle. Cliff Swallows, listed as a state-special concern species, occur here in impressive numbers. Breeding forested wetland species include Wood Ducks, Mallards and Fish Crows. Hundreds of Gadwalls, American Wigeons, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, Green-winged Teals and Ring-necked Ducks winter at the marsh and often move through the area during spring migration. Migratory songbirds also depend on the resources of this urban oasis during spring and fall migration.Conservation: Nonnative flora, including the common reed (Phragmites australis) and mile-a-minute vine (Persicaria perfoliatum), outcompete native vegetation and reduce habitat diversity. Pollution problems include effluent from the Hamilton Township sewage treatment plant and a coal-fired power plant at the lower end of Duck Island. Recreational overuse includes off-road vehicles and unauthorized digging for archaeological artifacts. Although portions of the Hamilton-Trenton Marsh are protected as state, county and municipally-owned park land, residential and commercial development threaten the site’s remaining unprotected habitats. Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust (D&R Greenway), a land conservancy, is a leading organization in land protection efforts at the Marsh and oversees implementation of the Hamilton-Trenton Marsh Management Plan. Friends for the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh and the Science and Education Committee, formed by D&R Greenway, advocate for protection of the site.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Saltmarsh ecotype | Michael Hogan |
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