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Trail Guides
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Pointers-Sharptown Road Bridge at Nimrod Road
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2
 
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500 Kings Highway, Salem, NJ 08079
Phone: (856) 935-2359
Mannington Township
Turn Right out of parking area onto CR 632/Lighthouse Avenue. After 1.9 miles, turn Right onto Route 49E. Follow Route 49 for 2.3 miles over the Salem River into Salem City and then turn Left at the light to stay on Route 49. Shortly after you pass the Salem Oak Diner on your Right (and the historic Salem Oak itself on your Left), turn Left onto Route 45. Continue along Route 45 over the railroad tracks and
travel approximately 2 miles. At the hospital Route 45 will veer Right. Turn Left and follow CR 540/Pointers-Auburn Rd. After 1/10 of a mile
turn Right at the Stop sign onto CR 540. Follow CR 540 for 1.8 miles over Mannington Creek and turn Right onto Nimrod Rd. The sign for Nimrod Rd. is hard to see, and the road opposite is
Sunset Dr. Follow Nimrod Rd. to T intersection at CR 620/Pointers-Sharptown Rd. Map
Although this site is just a bridge over the marsh, the opportunity to observe marsh birds of many varieties is afforded by the position of the bridge to the marsh. Just South of the bridge, the foliage is just high enough for viewing wildlife without disturbing them. The view extends to the East and the West so a large area is observable from this one bridge.
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| Cattle Egret in full breeding plumage | Kevin Karlson |
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| | Locals know this stop simply as, “Nimrod Road.” Our route takes you out
into the marsh, along Nimrod Rd., and to the intersection just north of a bridge that passes over Mannington Creek. You can park at the
intersection or at the foot of the bridge and scan along the roadside. Then venture onto the bridge on foot, and scan the entire marsh from above in both directions. However, please adhere to our recommendations on access. Do not stop your car on the bridge, and don’t pull off on the side of Nimrod Rd., as the shoulder is not wide enough to do so safely.
Green-winged Teal arrive in large numbers, along with Northern Pintail and American Widgeon. Flocks of Snow Geese fly over daily, looking for their next foraging area. White-
throated, Song and Field Sparrows may be seen by the road. American Coot feed in the vegetation just west of the intersection. If the marsh freezes over, wildlife moves to other areas, returning at the next thaw. Be prepared for cold, gusty winds off the marsh.
Mute Swans are tending their nests. Later in spring, turtles come out of hibernation and warm themselves on objects in the marsh. Water lilies cover the water’s surface, providing resting spots for frogs of all sizes. Glossy Ibis work among the lily pads preying on the frogs.
Wading birds gather here to feed in the shallow marsh. Great and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Heron and Glossy Ibis are plentiful along with occasional Spotted Sandpiper, Purple Gallinule and Green Heron. Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and dragonflies fill the sky and perform acrobatically over the marsh feeding on insects. Fish jump from the water, also in search of insects. Bald Eagle regularly train their
fledglings to fish in the marsh, just to the east
of the tall trees.
Raptors soar on thermals and migrating songbirds stop to roost. Warblers arrive in mixed flocks moving through the trees in search of insects. You may see groups of Wild Turkey
feeding in the corn stubble in the surrounding fields.
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