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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Burlington CountyCoordinates: N 39.99526
W 75.04999
Site Map Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 861 Acres Habitat: Tidal wetland and deciduous woodsSite Description: The 250 acre Palmyra Cove Nature Park is located adjacent to the Delaware River just under the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge. The site is owned by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Bureau of Tidelands Management. Although Palmyra Cove Nature Park remains an active dredge spoil site, infrequent use has allowed the site to revert to wetland and forest habitat. The Burlington County Bridge Commission currently manages the site to preserve the area’s natural resources and provide environmental education and recreational opportunities.IBA Criteria:
| Criterion | Species |
| Conservation Concern – State-endangered (B) | Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed Grebe |
| Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Mixed Upland Forest (B) | Acadian Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, Blue Jay, Carolina Chickadee, Common Grackle, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Gray Catbird, Great Crested Flycatcher, Northern Flicker, Tufted Titmouse, Wood Thrush |
| Significant Congregations - Exceptional Diversity (FM, SM) | |
| Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover (FM, SM) | Landbirds |
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| Black-throated Blue Warbler | Michael Hogan |
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Birds: Over 250 bird species utilize the various habitats of Palmyra Cove, including state-endangered Peregrine Falcons and Pied-billed Grebes. Regional responsibility species for mixed upland forest also breed here. Hairy Woodpecker and Carolina Chickadee regularly nest onsite. Palmyra Cove supports a diversity of migratory bird species throughout spring and fall migration. Wintering species include the Northern Saw-whet Owl, Bufflehead, Greater Scaup, Canvasback, Northern Pintail and Long-tailed Duck.Conservation: The Park’s long history of disturbance has contributed to the establishment of several invasive plant species including the common reed (Phragmites australis), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Japanese hops (Humulus japonicus), Chinese lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) and field-garlic (Allium vineale). Palmyra Cove has received grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program to eradicate invasive plants and remediate some of the wetland areas. Staff of Palmyra Cove is also working to control the Park’s deer population, responsible for limiting plant regeneration and growth. In 2007, Delaware River Keeper, NJ Audubon Society, Cove Action Network, Friends of Palmyra Cove, Inc. and park supporters advocated against the deposition of dredge spoil sediment by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) on 70 acres of the Park. As a result of the wide-spread opposition, NJDEP and ACE agreed to limit deposition to a 20 acre area. Supporters are now pursuing a conservation easement to protect the remaining habitats of Palmyra Cove Nature Park.Additional Information: Site Report
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| Pond at Palmyra Cove | Cristina Frank |
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