Birding and Wildlife Viewing :: VisitSouthJersey.com

Burlington Camden Gloucester Mercer Salem And Beyond

SOUTH JERSEY forevergreen

Find us on Facebook»

Birding and Wildlife Viewing

South Jersey is for the birds . . . in a good way!

Not to brag but New Jersey has the highest density of wild life per square mile than any state in the nation. Which means that no matter where you turn, nature isn’t far behind. Throughout South Jersey’s state parks, forests and wetlands birders can spot more than 325 species and wildlife lovers can find 90 species of mammals and 79 species of reptiles and amphibians. The New Jersey Audubon Society has done all the hard work, compiling a list of the best trails for viewing birds and wildlife. Go to www.njwildlifetrails.org for details.

View all items (A-Z)

SPOTLIGHT

Even if you don’t know a woodpecker from a whippoorwill, you can join in the annual BirdQuest events in Burlington and Gloucester counties in celebration of International Migration Day. Round up a team of adventurers and lift your binoculars towards the skies as your group competes to see who can spot the most species of birds in a 5 hour period. Although there are prizes at the end of the day, most do it for the fun and of course, bragging rights.

Camden County Parks System

The folks at Camden County Park System work hard so you can play hard. From your early-morning jog on a favorite trail to a free evening, throughout the Camden County Park System, you’ll find dozens of activities in the Park System’s well-maintained marina and parks. And with 20 parks to choose from, you won’t have to go far to have fun.

< Prev 12 3 Next >

Evert Trail Preserve

Evert Trail Preserve is the best of both worlds -- part of it sits on the inner coastal plains, part of it sits on the outer coastal plains. For nature lovers, this means you get to see the wildlife and vegetation from both environments. The Preserve's forested wetlands are home to more species of warblers, vireos and other songbirds than anywhere on the Jersey coastal plains, making it one of the most popular areas for birding.

Four Mile Springs Preserve

Once a happy hunting ground, Four Mile Springs Preserve was saved from development and is now 1,227 acres of natural, blissful outdoors. There are five miles of sandy roads and footpaths chiseled out of the Atlantic White Cedar forests for hiking, biking and, if you happen to own one, horseback riding.

Franklin Parker Preserve

Drive the sandy roads that run along the Wading River, go past the pitch pine forests and blueberry fields and you’ll find the Franklin Parker Preserve, 14 square miles of ecological treasures. With about 5,000 acres of wetlands and another 4,000 that are upland pine oak forest, the cranberry bog-turned-preserve is a haven for a number of endangered species -- and the people who love them.

Gloucester County Nature Club

They’ve been around since 1949 and although they've been at it for almost 60 years, the members, who come in all ages, keep coming up with new and interesting ways to explore, learn about and protect the region’s natural resources. With a calendar packed with field trips, special events, programs, and other activities, it’s no wonder the Gloucester County Nature Club has been around so long.

Great Egg Harbor National Wild & Scenic & River

It starts as a trickle near Berlin, but along its 129 mile trek, the Great Egg Harbor River gradually widens and is joined by 17 tributaries on its way to Great Egg Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the River cuts through the Pinelands National Reserve. For paddlers, it's a favorite spot for canoeing and kayaking. Each year, striped bass and alewife herring spawn in the tributaries also making it a great spot for fishing.

Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh

Located southeast of Trenton in Hamilton Township, the 1,250 acre Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh is the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River. The marsh includes both tidal and nontidal marshland, forested swamp and upland and second-growth forest. The diverse habitat also supports an astonishing 550 species of plants, more then 230 species of birds and lots of mammals, amphibians and reptiles, many of which are rare and endangered species.

Harold N. Peek Preserve

If you are a newcomer to hiking, birding or just appreciating nature, the Harold N. Peek Preserve is a good place to start. It's also a good place to head if you are an experienced naturalist. The Preserves' 256-acres are threaded with three trails that will lead you past cedar and hardwood swamps, Pine Barrens, and one of the largest wild rice marshes in New Jersey. The birding is exceptional and as for wildlife, you don’t even have to try hard to see it.

Herrontown Woods Arboretum

Go find your hiking boots or other rubber-soled waterproof shoes, get your binoculars and explore the 142-acre Herrontown Woods Arboretum. More than 30 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers line the nature trails that wind through the woods and over a shallow creek. The trails slope gently and gradually so they aren't too difficult and when they are dry, some trail sections can accommodate wheelchairs.

John A. Roebling Park

When you come to John A. Roebling Park, you won’t be alone. The Park’s 257 acres are packed with wildlife. Connected to more than 8 miles of walking trails and another 11 miles of water trails, Roebling Park is a popular spot for woodpeckers, Green Herons, Great-Horned Owls, and numerous species of turtles. Head over to Watson’s Woods section and check out the Revolutionary War era home of Mr. Watson and his family.

Lewis W. Barton Arboretum and Nature Center

If it is low-key you want, it is low-key you'll get at the Lewis Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve. Part of the rolling grounds of Medford Leas Continuing Care Community, the 168-acre grounds are open to the public so that non-residents can also enjoy the trails, woodlands, meadows and carefully manicured gardens.

Long Bridge Park

Right along the Rancocas Creek, Long Bridge Park has a little of everything that goes into making a great park . . . forested areas, pond, wetlands, meadows, marshland and lots of space for families to play. You can hike along four trails that wind 2.5 miles past fishing spots, picnic tables and pavilions, playground and nature areas.

Mad Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area

Keep going down the private road, go past the farmlands and you’ll get to the wetlands and wide open spaces of Mad Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area. Load your boat in at the boat ramp and go deeper into the marshes and wetlands to get a closer look at the birds, wildlife and foliage. Or drop your line for an afternoon of fishing. Don't worry, they didn't forget you Landlubbers out there. Mad Horse also has plenty of biking and hiking trails.

Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area

There isn't really much to do at Makepeace Lake WIldlife Management Area. Well, other than fishing. And hunting. And birding. And nature photography. And exploring the untouched 12,000 acres of pure Pinelands landscape. For outdoors fans, Makepeace Lake WMA is a giant natural playland filled with birds, wildlife and quiet places to escape city life.

Mannington Meadows

Load up your canoe and paddle through the marshy waters of Mannington Meadows or hit the trails and spend a lazy afternoon relaxing and enjoying the serene setting. Pack your binoculars to catch a glimpse of moorhens, terns, pied-billed grebe, as well as more than half a dozen species of turtles. Mannington Meadows’ brackish waters and wetlands attract so many birds the New Jersey Audubon Society has designated it as an Important Birding Area.

Maskell's Mill Wildlife Management Area

Just a short five miles from the Delaware Bay are 33 acres of pure, untouched forest and a rural pond that anglers and birders like to call their very own. Load in your canoe, kayak or electric motor boat and idle away the afternoon fishing. Or lift your eyes to the skies to spot the many species of birds that flit around the refuge, especially during migration season.

Named for its surrounding park that features several war and public service memorials, Memorial Lake is just one of many reasons for visit Woodstown.

Whether you're hiking or driving slowly along Mill Pond Road, you are bound to be caught off guard by the plethora of upland habitats and unique wildlife. Tucked away in the southeastern portion of Salem County, this 1.5 mile dirt road is known for excellent bird watching and deciduous forest.

Millville (Edward G. Bevans) Wildlife Management Area

The rustic, undeveloped lands at Millville (Bevans) Wildlife Management Area have a variety of different environments – hardwood forests, mixed forests, open fields, fresh water marshes, meadows. There’s even a small pond. And all that different terrain means you’ll find all kinds of birds and wildlife for birding, hunting, fishing or just focusing the binoculars and spotting the region’s wildlife and foliage as you are hiking the trails.

No surprise that segments of the Mullica River have been designated part of the Wild and Scenic River System of New Jersey. Although not necessarily wild, as it winds through the Pine Barrens, the Mullica is very, very scenic with landscapes that vary from thick pine forests to sandy banks to marshy wetlands. With numerous camp sites, launches for boating, trails galore and thousands of species of plants, birds and wildlife, the 55-mile Mullica is an outdoor treasure.

National Trails Day Celebration

Celebrating National Trails Day in South Jersey, the Outdoor Club of South Jersey is hosting a five mile hike/walk on June 8, 2008.

< Prev 12 3 Next >

This website and the forevergreen South Jersey Ecotourism Marketing Initiative has been made possible through the generous support of:

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

The William Penn Foundation

©South Jersey Toursim Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Designed by Osiris Group, Inc.