All,

Cumberland Trip - Sat., 3/30
 
We will meet at the Princeton Shopping Center Parking Lot (South end - Rite Aid)
to car pool leaving at 7:30AM. Our trip route will take us down Rt. 295 > Rt. 55
to WaWa on the east side of the Causeway for Maurice River (Google Map). We will
arrive there 9:00-9:15AM. If you miss us in Princeton (we wait at most until 7:45AM
if you pre-signed up letting us know your intention to come), you can drive to the
WaWa to meet us as we will be there minimally 15-20mins. You also can call to let us
know. My cell #609-658-8577.
 
Always good for early Spring/late Winter surprises, this year promises a good
crop of shorebirds as they are in at the Heislerville impoundments. I suspect
we might see some as well at Commercial Twp. Restoration Project (BiValve &
Strawberry Ave.)
 
Call to let me know you are coming and give me your cell# so we can check if you
haven't shown up at the Parking Lot meeting place. We will carpool trying to match
preferred return times w/cars. Those running the entire route, will have a full day
affair since it is 1hr. 30mins down to WaWa and same or longer back depending on
return point.
 
Charles   

Dear Audubon Chapter Leaders,

You might have heard about an op-ed that was published in the Orlando Sentinel yesterday by long-time Audubon Magazine contributor Ted Williams. His central point was about the ineffectiveness of trap-neuter-return programs and the effects of feral cats on bird populations. In the course of the original piece, which has since been edited by the Orlando Sentinel, Ted also mentioned what some construed to be a do-it-yourself recipe for eliminating feral cats. And because of Ted's stated affiliation with Audubon in the original piece, some of those same readers assumed that we were endorsing this approach. We don't.

The National Audubon Society is unequivocal on the important issue of cat and bird safety: We reject the idea of people taking matters into their own hands in ways that can harm neighbors’ pets – or any cats.

Audubon strongly believes that cats belong indoors. That’s safer for them and for the birds. Feral and free-roaming cats are subject to injury, disease, and predation. We urge communities around the country to adopt effective measures to counter problems suffered and caused by cats and to vigorously enforce existing rules and procedures.

Ted is not an Audubon employee. He is a freelance writer and a committed conservationist who has written for Audubon Magazine for 33 years. He writes personal opinion pieces for numerous publications, including the Orlando Sentinel. 

We all understand the threats cats present to birds. Cats – particularly feral cats – are a leading cause of bird deaths. A recent report by Smithsonian scientists and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion a year, underscoring the need for effective solutions to protect wild birds and cats alike.

Audubon has long supported a “Cats Indoors” campaign urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors for the safety of both their pets and birds. We have guidelines on how to keep both birds and cats safe at www.audubon.org. We've had this guidance on our web site for years and we think it’s good, common sense.

In the past day, feral cat activist groups have circulated online petitions rallying supporters to contact Audubon. You may receive inquiries as well. Chapter Leaders are the front lines in communities across the country. I'd urge you to rally your communities to enforce local regulations to the full extent of the law.

Sincerely,

David Yarnold
President & CEO
National Audubon Society

New Jersey Declares Itself Free
From Devastating Tree-Killing Pest
Asian longhorned beetle eradicated from state

(13/P21) Linden — Federal and state agriculture and environmental officials today delivered some welcome news for New Jersey residents in the state’s long running battle against the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB).

"After more than a decade, we can declare New Jersey is free of this invasive pest," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher. "We could not have accomplished this eradication without this coalition of federal, state, and local agencies, and of course, the citizens of New Jersey, whose vigilance was critical in this fight."

Secretary Fisher was joined by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Associate Deputy Administrator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine program Victor Harabin and the DEP’s State Forester Lynn Fleming, as well as local elected officials at an announcement ceremony and tree planting at Hawk Rise Sanctuary in Linden, a city that was severely impacted by the invasive pest.

"The united commitment by federal, state and local governments to achieve eradication has helped protect trees in the state of New Jersey and in our nation from the invasive Asian longhorned beetle," stated Harabin. "It is this commitment and cooperation that has resulted in success."

The beetle was first discovered in Jersey City in October 2002.  State and federal agriculture officials then found trees infested with the beetle in Carteret, Woodbridge, Linden, and Rahway.  Eradication efforts involved the removal of 21,981 trees in Union, Middlesex, and Hudson counties. The infested trees were taken to the Covanta resource recovery facility where they were converted to electrical energy to power some 30,000 homes and businesses. 

Nearly a third of those trees have been replanted. Foresters replanted with a variety of non-host species, with each tree chosen specifically to meet the site requirements.

"The public is our best defense against the beetle," said Harabin. "Early detection is essential, and I want to thank the citizens of New Jersey for their efforts to stop the spread of this invasive pest."
   
As more areas are winning the fight against the beetle, members of the public are encouraged to inspect their trees for signs of damage caused by the insect and report any suspicious findings.  The sooner an infestation is reported, the sooner efforts can be made to quickly contain and isolate an area from future destruction.  People are encouraged to be mindful of moving firewood, as moving ALB-infested firewood can unintentionally spread of the pest.

New Jersey is the second state to declare eradication from the beetle.  ALB was successfully eradicated from Illinois in 2008.  The ALB-regulated area of Islip, N.Y. also achieved eradication in 2011.  An area is declared free of the ALB after all the infested trees are eliminated and surveys are negative for active signs of beetle activity or the presence of the beetle.  Eradication announcements for Manhattan and Staten Island, N.Y. are also expected this year. 

The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) was first discovered in the U.S. in 1996, likely arriving here unknowingly inside wood packing material from Asia. The insect has no known natural predators and it threatens recreational areas, forests, and suburban and urban shade trees.  The beetle bores through the tissues that carry water and nutrients throughout the tree, which causes the tree to starve, weaken and eventually die. Once a tree is infested, it must be removed. It has caused tens of thousands of trees to be destroyed in New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois.

"While this eradication is a victory for forest health, many other pests still actively threaten New Jersey’s trees," said State Forester Lynn Fleming. "We need every resident to keep vigilant and not move firewood and inspect their trees regularly for signs of infestation."

For more information, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture or www.Asianlonghornedbeetle.com

Location: Shark River, Monmouth, US-NJ
Date/Time: Feb 2, 2013 9:00 AM
Compiler: Sharyn Magee

21 species

Brant	200     Estimate.
Mute Swan	X
Tundra Swan	1     White with black bill.
Gadwall	4
American Wigeon	1
American Black Duck	20     Estimate.
Mallard	30     EStimate.
Redhead	1
Greater Scaup	1
Lesser Scaup	60     EStimate.
Bufflehead	100     Estimate.
Red-breasted Merganser	3
Ruddy Duck	300     EStimate.
Horned Grebe	2
Double-crested Cormorant	5
Killdeer	1
Ring-billed Gull	X
Herring Gull	X
Great Black-backed Gull	30     Estimate.
Northern Mockingbird	1
Red Crossbill	1     Heard call verified by comparing to recording.  Recording used for ID purposes only.

Location: Manasquan Inlet, Ocean, US-NJ
Date/Time: Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Compiler: Sharyn Magee

9 species

Long-tailed Duck	3
Red-throated Loon	1
Common Loon	16
Pacific Loon	1
Dunlin	1
Black-bellied Plover	1
Northern Gannet	1
Ring-billed Gull	X
Razorbill	2 Alcid with thick bill with verticle white line.

Location: Spring Lake, Monmouth, US-NJ
Date/Time: Feb 2, 2013
Compiler: Sharyn Magee

Hooded Merganser

8

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION OPENS FIRST STATE-OWNED ATV PARK;
                SPECIAL PREVIEW SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY

(12/P3) TRENTON – The Christie Administration on Sunday Jan. 13 will hold a special public preview to mark the opening of the first state-owned all-terrain vehicle park, a mostly wooded tract in Woodbine, Cape May County, that once served as a sand mine and later as a private motocross track.

The administration is inviting riders to join officials from the Department of Environmental Protection and local officials in taking a test run of the new Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park, the first regional ATV park to be designated by the DEP. ATV use remains illegal on all other state-owned lands.

“We are very excited to showcase this new park,” said DEP Commissioner Bob Martin. “The Christie Administration is committed to developing managed parks in the state that will provide fans of all-terrain vehicles a safe environment in which to enjoy their sport. Just as important, this park will take pressure off environmentally sensitive lands that are damaged by illegal use of ATVs.”

The DEP is currently developing requests for proposals from bidders interested in running the park under a 10-year operating agreement. Following Sunday’s preview, riders may use the park free of charge until a contractor is hired later this year. The park will be available to riders seven days a week during normal operating hours set for Belleplain State Forest, located nearby. Those hours are currently 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The DEP worked closely with Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky and the Borough Council in scouting out the site.

“This new park is going to mean a lot to our borough and surrounding areas,” said Mayor Pikolycky, who also serves as Chairman of the Pinelands Municipal Council. “It’s wonderful that we will have a facility that provides legal recreational riding opportunities for enthusiasts of off-road vehicles. We will look to possibly expand the riding area in the near future. But for now, I look forward to announcing ‘Start Your Engines,’ on January 13th.”

Those interested in participating in two preview riding sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. must obtain a permit at the Belleplain State Forest. The DEP will issue permits on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 25 riders for each of the sessions.

Riders for these sessions must complete an application form and provide validation of identification, current registration issued by the Motor Vehicle Commission, and proof of insurance.  For directions to Belleplain, visit: www.njparksandforests.org/parks/belle.html

The DEP purchased the site of the former Mount Pleasant Sand and Gravel operation, located at the intersection of County Routes 550 and 610, in November 2011. The DEP acquired the 63-acre property with $393,000 in Green Acres Program funds.

Ten acres of the property, including an existing 3/4-mile ATV course, will be used initially for the park, with future expansions planned. The park consists of sand pits, sand roads and sandy areas left over from the former mining and motocross operations that provide ideal tracks for off-road vehicles. It is suitable for beginners to intermediate riders.
“With its existing ATV track and sandy moguls in a pine woods setting, this park will provide a great riding experience for many years to come,” said Richard Boornazian, Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “This also should reduce illegal ATV riding in our state parks and natural lands, which damages sensitive natural resources such as forests, streams and wetlands, and harms plant and animal species and their habitats.’’

State Park Service personnel and State Park Police will patrol the park. Rules for use are posted at the park. Users of the park must adhere to the following:

•   The park is to be used by ATVs, dirt bikes and snowmobiles only. All vehicles using the new park must be equipped with headlights, taillights, brakes, reflector material and muffler.

•   Operators must wear a protective helmet, motorcycle/ATV goggles, over-the-ankle leather boots, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, gloves, wrist guards and kneepads.

•   Park users must be at least 14 years old. Anyone less than 16 years of age may not operate an ATV with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters.

•   All users under the age of 18 must complete an ATV safety education and training course established or certified by the Motor Vehicle Commission, which they must have in their possession.

Legislation enacted in 2009 calls for the DEP to site three regional parks for the use of all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and snowmobiles to provide riding opportunities and reduce pressure from illegal and improper use of ATVs, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles.

The DEP had been searching for suitable sites for regional off-road vehicle parks for a number of years.  The DEP is currently working to identify municipalities in central and northern New Jersey willing to help with the development of similar parks in those regions. Under the ATV legislation, the DEP must purchase new land for the parks and may not use existing state park lands.

ATVs must be registered in New Jersey. Registration can be obtained at any of the Motor Vehicle Commission’s 39 agencies for a fee of $17 for in-state residents and $19 for out-of-state riders. Proof of ownership is required.

DEP CONTINUES PINE BEETLE BATTLE, ESPECIALLY IN PINELANDS; IMPACT IN 2012 LESS THAN ANTICIPATED
GRANTS REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTANCE IN BATTLING THE BEETLE

(13/P1) TRENTON – Southern pine beetle infestation remains a significant threat in New Jersey, especially within the million-acre Pinelands National Reserve, but was not as severe last year as initially feared, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said today.

“We must remain vigilant about this serious threat to our pine forests,” Commissioner Martin said. “The DEP has been undertaking a multipronged approach to deal with this problem, including removing stands of impacted trees on state lands to control outbreaks before they spread and working with private property owners and municipal governments whenever possible to control outbreaks on private lands.”

In 2012, pine beetle infestations claimed 6,200 acres, compared to 7,000 acres last year, bringing the total number of acres affected in New Jersey to 27,000 acres since 2010. Most of the damage has occurred in southern portions of the Pinelands National Reserve, particularly in areas south of the Mullica River.

The largest outbreak occurred in 2010, when some 14,000 acres statewide were affected, largely because trees were stressed by extremely dry weather.

National forestry experts had expected a much larger outbreak in 2012 because last winter was so mild.

The DEP is continuing to work on the problem throughout the winter, removing infested stands of trees as the spread of beetles slows down with the onset of colder weather.

“Now is the time to get a leg up on this and take advantage of the beetles’ reduced activity during the winter to further contain this pest,” said State Forester Lynn Fleming. “We were very fortunate last year. Our containment was effective while adequate precipitation helped pine trees produce sufficient sap to help push out beetles that try to burrow into the trees. But the beetles are still out there so we cannot become complacent on this issue.’’

Fleming said public assistance is needed to help battle this damaging insect. She noted there is still plenty of grant money available for towns and individuals to help finance their beetle control efforts.

The beetles, about the size of a grain of rice, burrow into the cambium layer just beneath the bark of pine trees to lay their eggs. The tunnels they create cut off the flow of water and nutrients to the tree, resulting in death within a few weeks of infestation.

The southern pine beetle attacks all species of pines, but prefers pitch, shortleaf, pond, and loblolly, all of which occur in southern New Jersey.

Infestations, marked by the sudden onset of yellowish needles that quickly turn brown, are usually not recognizable until stands of trees are affected. The bark of infested trees may show numerous excretions of yellowish-white sap oozing from tubes that the beetles bored into the bark.

As part of its efforts to ratchet up the war on pine beetles, the DEP has enlisted the assistance of the DEP Science Advisory Team to better understand its behavior patterns in New Jersey. The department is also working with researchers from Rutgers University, Stockton State College and Dartmouth University to better understand the best strategies for reducing the pine beetle threat in New Jersey.

“Simply put, we still have a great deal to learn about this invasive insect,” Fleming said. “We are doing everything we can to contain the spread of this insect, but the truth of the matter is that the scope of its impact will likely hinge on environmental factors, weather patterns in particular, that are outside of our control.”

North of the Mullica River, infestations have been very spotty. On state-owned lands in these areas, New Jersey State Forestry Service crews have effectively managed infestations by hand-cutting small stands of affected trees. Areas targeted included parts of Bass River State Forest in Burlington County and Wharton State Forest in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties.

South of the Mullica River, where much larger areas have been impacted, the DEP has utilized contractors using mechanized equipment to remove trees from state lands. Areas targeted included the Millville Wildlife Management Area and Union Lake Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland County and Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County.

The DEP last fall received a $340,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service grant for continued work focused on state lands. The DEP previously received $600,000 in Forest Service grant funding to combat the pine beetle.
The DEP strongly encourages local government agencies and private property owners to apply to the New Jersey State Forestry Service for grants made possible by the earlier federal grant to combat the southern pine beetle on non-state lands. They are:

• The Forest Health Southern Pine Beetle Cost-Share Grant Program, which provides matching grants up to $7,500 each to private landowners who own five or more acres of land. To be eligible, landowners must have a state-approved Forest Stewardship Plan or Woodland Management Plan that includes a southern pine beetle suppression plan. The landowner must provide 25 percent of the cost of the control activity.
  
  
• The Community Forestry Grant program, which provides a matching grant up to $10,000 each to assist municipalities and counties in delineating and carrying out southern pine beetle suppression activities. The recipient must have or be working on a Community Forestry Management Plan to qualify and must agree to provide an equal match in money and/or in-kind services.
  
  
• The New Jersey Forest Fire Service Community Wildfire Assistance Grant, which provides 100 percent matching grants up to $10,000 each to any civic organization, homeowners association, nonprofit group or municipality for work to suppress southern pine beetle infestations on lands that may be at increased wildfire risk because of beetle damage. The fire risk must be documented in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan or a Firewise Community Plan. The recipient must provide an equal match in money and/or in-kind services.

The DEP has also prepared an informational tool kit to assist municipalities and private landowners in taking action to prevent the spread of pine beetles using grants that are now available. For financial assistance applications, maps, photos and other resources about the southern pine beetle, visit: www.southernpinebeetle.nj.gov

For more information or to report possibly infested trees, contact the State Forestry Service Trenton Office at (609) 292-2531; Southern Regional Office at (609) 625-1124, Central Regional Office at (609) 726-1621, Northern Regional Office at (973) 786-5035, or your local consulting forester or a certified tree expert.

Location: Pole Farm (Mercer County Park NW), Mercer, US-NJ Jan 3, 2013 8:29 AM - 11:08 AM
Compiler: Sharyn Magee
Protocol: Traveling by foot 3.0 mile(s)
14 species

Canada Goose  51
Turkey Vulture  4
Northern Harrier  2     Male 2nd year.
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Rough-legged Hawk  2     Undertail white with dark terminal band; dark carpel points, belly &wing tips.
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted)  2
Blue Jay  1
American Crow  2
Fish Crow  1
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Eastern Bluebird  1
European Starling  20     Estimate.
American Tree Sparrow  1
Eastern Meadowlark  1

Location: Palmyra Nature Cove
Date: 09/15/12
Leader: Charles Brine

Weather Conditions
Initially sunny & blue sky, sunny for the rest of the
trip, some light wind, 56 – 81 °F.

Birds Observed

1 B&W Warbler
2 Northern Parula Warbler
3 Northern Waterthrush
4 American Redstart
5 Magnolia Warbler
6 Warbling Vireo
7 Red-eyed Vireo
8 Eastern Phoebe
9 Great Crested Flycatcher
10 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
11 Willow Flycatcher
12 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
13 Carolin Wa ren
14 Tfuted Titmouse
15 Gray Catbird
16 European Starling
17 American Crow
18 Northern Flicker
19 Red-bellied Woodpecker
20 Downy Woodpecker
21 Northern Flicker
22 Trukey Vulture
23 Black Vulture
24 Wild Turkey
25 Red-tailed Hawk
26 Cooper’s Hawk
27 Bald Eagle
28 Opsrey
29 Tree Swallow
30 American Goldfinch
31 lBack-capped Chickadee
32 Mourning Dove
33 Northern Cardinal
35 Rock Pigeon
36 White-breasted Nuthatch
37 Northern Mockingbird
38 Great Blue Heron
39 Green Heron
40 Great Egret
41 Ring-billed Gull
42 Herring Gull
43 Cedar Waxwing
44 Blue Jay
47 House Sparrow
48 Chimney Swift
49 American Robin
50 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
51 Belted Kingfisher
52 Double-created Cormorant
53 Canada Goose

Jim Thomson has a photo exhibition featuring birds and animals that were photographed in New Jersey. The exhibit opened on 10/6/12 and will run through mid November. For further information click here.

Due to conditions created by Hurricane Sandy - The cleanup has been cancelled!

November 17 (Saturday). Marsh cleanup, 9 AM – noon. Spring Lake area. Bring gloves if you have them, water to drink; wear long sleeves, long pants. Meet at Spring Lake - Roebling Park (end of Sewell Ave., Hamilton). Contact/Bob Sokol, Sierra Club- 609-918-1149. (Cosponsors with Friends: Central New Jersey Sierra Club, Mercer County Parks, D&R Greenway Land Trust).