Endangered New Jersey: February 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

The Sixth Great Extinction

Scientists still discover new species every year. Unfortunately, many new species are often immediately classified as threatened or endangered.

These discoveries help us understand the fragility of the the planet's biodiversity. 2010 is
the International Year of Biodiversity.

Last November, the IUCN Red List was updated and it was estimated that 36% of world's flora and fauna are threatened with extinction.

Some scientists call this the "Sixth Great Extinction." Every 20 minutes we lose an animal species and at that rate by the end of the century 50% of all living species will be gone.

The fifth extinction took place 65 million years ago when it is likely that asteroids smashed into the Earth, killing off the dinosaurs and many other species and opening the door for the rise of mammals.

There were 47,000 species surveyed by ICUN and about 17,000 are at serious risk.

21% of the world's mammal species
12% of birds
28% of reptiles
30% of amphibians
35% of invertebrates
37% of freshwater fish
70% of plants

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Historical Preservation: The Old Barracks

My Google alerts for endangered and threatened species sometimes turn up some odd results, like "Are women in information technology an endangered species?" But today, one that turned up concerns some New Jersey history.

Historical preservation is a part of Endangered New Jersey too. Saving and educating people about our history is interesting and educational.

The Old Barracks is a State and National Historic Landmark built in 1758 by the colony of New Jersey as winter quarters for British "regulars" returning from fighting in the frontier regions in the French & Indian War.

During the American Revolution, the Barracks was occupied at different times by British/Hessian Forces or the Continental Forces. Following the Battles of Trenton in 1776, the Barracks was steadily controlled by the Continental Army and used as an army hospital for small pox inoculations.

The Old Barracks is a "living history" museum portraying the year 1777 with historical interpreters guiding visitors through the infirmary to learn about mandatory small pox inoculations and surgeries performed on soldiers in the Continental Army, into the squad rooms that soldiers occupied as living quarters and through the Officers House.

Currently, you can see their latest exhibit "All Is Threatened and Endangered..." about New Jersey in the French & Indian War.

Old Barracks Museum
101 Barrack St
Trenton, New Jersey 08608

For directions, dates and times http://www.barracks.org

A Guide to New Jersey's Revolutionary War Trail: for Families and History Buffs
New Jersey and The Revolutionary War

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Will the Black Bear Hunt Return to NJ in 2010?

Yet another controversy that has come up in NJ news this year is the possibility of a bear hunt again in New Jersey. The state Fish and Game Council may propose New Jersey's first bear hunt since 2005.

Former Gov. Jon Corzine had suspended the last hunt in 2006, but some news reports say that Gov. Chris Christie favors a bear hunt.

A bill was introduced for a new $28 fee on bear hunters that would raise money for the bear management program and it would give the Council sole discretion about a hunt each year.

Corzine had committed to non-lethal bear management.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife saw statistical decreases in complaints about black bear "nuisance" incidents after there were hunts in 2003 and 2005.

Most complaints are about bears getting into garbage, destroying beehives, breaking into homes, destroying livestock and rabbits or attacking dogs.

Complaint calls increased to 900 in 2007 and 1,869 in 2008.

Besides hunting, alternative management includes "averse conditioning," bear-resistant garbage cans and dumpsters, and educating citizens about the Black Bear Feeding Ban Law.

The current population of black bears in NJ is a bit unclear. I found a 2005 population count of at least 1,500 bears. (The area surveyed was a 580-square-mile area of northern New Jersey.) In 1988, when there was a hunt, the population was estimated to be about 150.

Our Jersey Bears are not endangered or threatened. They have an excellent reproductive rate (averaging three cubs to each female) and an extremely strong 70% survival rate.
A number of groups, including the West Milford-based Bear Education and Resource Group, oppose a bear hunt and point to evidence that shows that hunting is an ineffective longterm solution. But other groups, such as New Jersey Hunter, are in favor of the hunt.

Black Bear: North America's Bear
Black Bears

Monday, February 22, 2010

Dolphins in the Hackensack River

If the harp seal visiting Woodbridge this month wasn't enough for New Jersey, now a pod of about a dozen dolphins have appeared in the Hackensack River way up near Teaneck, Bogota and Hackensack.

They are far from the ocean - about 12 miles - which is not good. As we said with that seal, there will not be enough food in the river during this season to sustain them. Also the salinity (salt) level in the water is far too low for these marine mammals.

View some video of the dolphins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDQSDByZSc from the Associated Press.

Once again, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center from Brigantine has been contacted, but unfortunately the dolphins are not stranded or in distress, so they can't act in their behalf.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Will Climate Change Guide Environmental Decisions?

A piece in The New York Times last week ("Obama Budget Retools FWS for Warming World") written by Patrick Reis and Allison Winter of Greenwire, says that despite a backlog of endangered species issues and a host of current lawsuits, the Fish and Wildlife Service plans to have climate change as a theme for the agency's $1.65 billion discretionary budget plan for fiscal 2011.

"The budget does reflect a switch in our priorities," said Chris Nolin, head of the service's budget division. "Our primary focus is reorienting the agency so we can address climate change. We need to start looking at climate change in everything we do. That was really the focus of this budget."

Part of this would include the acquisition of land that would become corridors for wildlife moving as temperatures rise and habitat changes.

Ironically, there are also environmentalists who are concerned that this may cause the agency to lose ground on endangered species protection.

"We support climate change adaptation. We support renewable energy development. But none of that should be done at the expense of real protections for species," said Noah Greenwald, director of the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity's endangered species program. "With the added threat of climate change, endangered species need even more protection."

A new agency program is called "landscape conservation cooperatives." The idea, which is being used in many other government agencies including Homeland Security, is an effort to both make the process more efficient and less expensive. Uniting federal agencies, states, nonprofits and universities to design strategic regional conservation plans sounds like a good idea. Get all the parties at the same table talking.

The plan is to launch eight cooperatives in 2010 (ultimately 21 landscape regions). The budget includes monies for climate change planning and science, landscape cooperatives and a significant deposit on land acquisition.

$106 million for land is a 12% increase after years of reduced funding in an attempt to create refuges for species being driven out of their native ranges by climate change.

Is climate change still a hot-button issue? Definitely.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Harp Seal in Woodbridge, NJ

You don't really expect to find a seal wandering along an avenue in New Jersey.

But, a Woodbridge township snow plow driver came across one this month on Sixth Avenue in the Port Reading section of the township early one snowy morning.

It tuned out to be an adult harp seal. The police and a township control officer were notified and, according to reports, they dragged the seal to the Woodbridge River.

Seals are Arctic mammals that live on ice flows, but in cold weather, many are carried by currents and swim south looking for food. It's not that rare that seals will make the 1,500 mile journey to the New Jersey coast. Seals often come onto beaches to escape the cold water where they will lay in the sun and build up their oxygen levels.

New Jersey sees more seals in the winter now than in earlier decades. Two colonies live off the Jersey shore in the winter, with one visible from Sandy Hook.

Beach visitors of the human variety should avoid going near the seals and not try to feed them.

Harp seals are part of the family Phocidae, known as the "true" or "earless" seals because they lack external ear flaps. They have a robust body, a relatively small, broad, flat head, and a narrow snout that contains eight pairs of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.

During breeding in February and March, and when molting in late spring, harp seals aggregate in large numbers of up to several thousand seals on the pack ice. During extensive seasonal migrations, large groups may feed and travel together.

Harp seals are highly migratory. Following the breeding season, adults assemble north of their "whelping" sites to undergo an annual molt before continuing to migrate north to Arctic summer feeding grounds. In late September, after feeding all summer, most adults and some immature seals of the Western North Atlantic stock migrate south along the Labrador coast to the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, generally arriving by early winter. There they split into two groups, one moving into the Gulf and the other remaining off the coast of Newfoundland.

In recent years, the number of sightings and strandings from January to May have increased off the east coast of the United States from Maine to New Jersey. During this time, the Western North Atlantic stock of harp seals is at the most southern point of their migration.

Robert Schoelkopf, founding director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, says that the Center has been called this season to rescue seals already. He said that the township officials had tried to put a net around the seal but failed and were finally able to grab the seal with a mouthpiece normally used to capture dogs.

Probably, dragging the seal into the Woodbridge River was not the best course of action. Acting more out of fear for the animal's safety, the treatment might have caused injuries, and also may have put it in an unfamiliar waterway where it would not know how to navigate to open water.

The best sceanrio would be that the seal would swim out to Arthur Kill. If the seal went upstream, it would be in less water, probably without food, and would be more likely to wander on land again.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act bans anybody without proper training from handling seals. The proper course of action would be to to call the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (609) 266-0538.

Adopt A Seal through the MarineMammalStrandingCenter.org

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is a private, non-profit organization, started in 1978 with a handful of volunteers and a C.E.T.A. grant. It was founded and is still directed by Robert Schoelkopf. He and his wife, Sheila Dean, along with a small paid staff and volunteers with a wide variety of talents and professional backgrounds, continue to work with the animals. The Center is now located on the barrier island of Brigantine, which borders coastal New Jersey’s largest wildlife refuge.

With a permit and authorization from the state and federal governments, the Center has responded to over 3450 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore over the years. Even though these governments sanction the handling of strandings in New Jersey only, the Center is occasionally called upon to assist with animals in other states. All funding comes through donations, grants, memberships, and fund-raising efforts. Since there is no permanent funding at this time, your donations and membership dollars are vital.

Harp Seals (Early Bird Nature Books)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Pesticides Continue To Endanger Animals and Plants

Reading a recent article about environmental issues in Florida got me thinking about how pesticides are still taking their toll on animal and plant species here in New Jersey.

Florida’s federally protected species are in the middle of an effort by environmentalists to tighten controls on pesticide use. The nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it will sue unless EPA makes major steps to protect endangered or threatened species from chemicals used for killing plants or animals.

Pesticide makers have to register new products with EPA, which studies the chemicals and sets limits on how they can be used. That includes looking for unintended impacts on wildlife and plants, but it does not currently reviews and consultations with government agencies specifically about effects on endangered or threatened species.

On the other side, industry groups representing pesticide manufacturers say that government agencies are usually too busy and are extremely understaffed already.

Stricter regulations could put land off-limits for farming that uses pesticides, lowering crop yields and raising food prices.

Again and again, we see the clash of environmental protection and economics. Clearly both are important, but decisions that please both sides seem to be rare.

Since Rachel Carson published Silent Spring more than 40 years ago, the general public has been more attuned to the effects of chemicals in pesticides in our foods and the environment.

In NJ, the NJDEP is charged with enforcement of pesticide regulations, and citizens can file a complaint or report a pesticide spill or accidental misapplication.

The PCP began a series of pesticide use surveys in 1985. The various spheres of pesticide use addressed by these surveys are listed on their website and include agriculture, lawn care, mosquito control and other areas.

For example, one project focuses on the ground-based application of resmethrin and prallethrin for adult mosquito control. Goals of the project include determining the extent of the migration of the pesticide away from the target area and the amount of residue deposited in and around the site of application.

The information collected from these use surveys is used as a building block by agencies within the NJDEP for development and implementation of programs including ground water protection, farm worker protection and education, and sampling for residuals.

The data allows for the assessment of what pesticides are being used to a greater extent and to a lesser extent, what crops are receiving heavier or lighter pesticide applications, counties and municipalities showing increased or decreased use through the years, etc.

Even if someone is not an "environmentalist," they should be concerned with many of the same issues as that group for their own protection. As part of the NJDEP effort to address the issues raised by the Federal Food Quality Protection Act, the New Jersey Food Monitoring and Evaluation Program (NJFMEP) was initiated to catalog the pesticide residue levels present on produce being sold and consumed in New Jersey.

Since 2000, over 350 samples have been collected from roadside markets throughout the State. While the majority of the commodities collected were grown in NJ, the program does not ignore commodities that were grown in another state or country and sold to NJ consumers. The commodities examined include apples, asparagus, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, cherries, Chinese vegetables, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, onions, peas, peaches, peppers, potatoes (white and sweet), spinach, squash, strawberries, sweet corn and tomatoes.

Organic produce is also including in the program. Each sample collected is analyzed for over 100 different pesticide residues, including environmental contaminants such as DDT and dieldrin. As this program continues to expand, more commodities and sampling locations will be added to help further ensure the quality of the fresh produce in New Jersey.

EDUCATE young people at home and in schools about this topic with materials at
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/kids/

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

New Jersey Hiking

One of many hiking sites online that feature hikes in New Jersey is www.njhiking.com

Following up on yesterday's posts about shorter hikes in the state, I point you to their shorter hikes section which has excellent information for planning and even offers some video clips on the trails.

For those of you new to hiking, Point Mountain in Hunterdon County is a short park hike with a nice overlook and a trail by the Musconetcong River. It is a nice scenic walk that is under 4 miles. Take a video walk there...

To the top of Mt. Tammany and down to Sunfish Pond at the Delaware Water Gap.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Short Hikes on the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is America's first National Scenic Trail. It stretches from Mount Katahdin in Maine south to Springer Mountain in Georgia.

Originally conceived as a greenway between these states in the 1920s, it has become the most popular trail in the Appalachian Mountains.

Though "thru-hikers" will take on its 2,160 miles, many more day, weekend and section hikers will use it.

In New Jersey, here are 72 miles of the AT. The sections range in difficulty from 2-5 on a scale where 10 is the most difficult. I have hiked 6 of the 8 popular sections in NJ and all of them were great experiences.

There is a lot of information available free online about the trail (see below) and many excellent books on the AT, including the NJ section.

Our part of the Appalachian Trail runs from High Point State Park at Route 23 in the very northern-most corner of the state down to the Delaware Water Gap where it enters Pennsylvania. The ridges of the Kittatinny Mountains run parallel to the Delaware River to the west.

Even a good road map of New Jersey will probably show show the trail, and a stop at the ranger offices at High Point on Route 23 in Sussex County, Stokes Forest on Route 206 in Sussex County, and the National Park Service on Route 80 at the Water Gap in Warren County, all have maps showing the trail. Still, I would invest in a detailed trail map or book if I planned to walk the length of the NJ AT.

One good shorter hike on the AT in NJ is near Sunfish Pond. Atop the Kittatinny Ridge, Sunfish Pond was created by a glacier long ago and today is along the Appalachian Trail in Worthington State Park near the Delaware Water Gap.

The Appalachian Trail runs around the pond. Don't be surprised to find any number of rock cairns that have been created by passing hikers. A cairn (carn in Irish, carnedd in Welsh, càrn in Scots Gaelic) is a manmade pile of stones, often in a conical form left as a marker. The rocky shores of Sunfish Pond offer a beautiful contrast to the crystal clear lake water.

The suggested hike here is a good day's adventure. Weekdays and winter are good times to go and have the trail pretty much to yourself and some wildlife (which is more likely to be seen too).

You can drop by the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Information Center at Kittatinny Point and talk to a ranger and get books on local flora, fauna, history, and geology for the hike.

The visitor center offers a great view of the Water Gap. The river flows by Pennsylvania's Mt. Minsi and New Jersey's Mount Tammany which form the Gap at about 1200 feet above and show us millions of years of geological history.

Features long the way includes Dunnfield Hollow hemlock ravine, Sunfish Pond (actually a glacial lake) and beautiful views from Mt. Mohican.

Sunfish Pond

The hike as listed on most trail maps run 8.8 total miles. Though the elevation gain is considered minimal (from 350 to 1500 feet), this point-to-point (rather than circular) hike is considered "strenuous." It should take a prepared hiker about 6 hours. Of course, n one says you have to do the entire length n one day if you're not prepared. New hikers shuld be cautioned that even a short hike like this is not like walking through he park or equal to the 8 miles you do on a track or treadmill.

Take a look at one online topographical map of the area.

Hiking this trail in NJ can give you a sense of what New Jersey was 200 years ago. In some sections, it is a time machine that will take you out of the present.

Coming back to 2010, there is still much of it that is undeveloped, with a few towns visible in the valleys that might be considered country villages.

The AT through NJ is intersected by country lanes or Park roads about every 5 to 10 miles. This makes it useful for teaming up with a partner and leaving one car at your starting place and one at the end.
You won't need much equipment for a day hike, but don't just throw a sandwich in a backpack and put on your basketball sneakers. Decent hiking boots or trail shoes (most have thick Vibram soles and are high enough to give ankle support) should feet well with your heavier hiking socks and some swollen feet. Don't attempt a hike more than two miles with new boots or shoes - break them in first.

Dress for the weather and have layers so that you can add and subtract as the day changes and your own body reacts. A hat is good. So is bug spray - especially in the spring.

There are lots of hiking equipment lists online but a light pack and water with lunch and some snacks is essential. The pack gets lighter along the way, but pack out all of your trash and any that you find and can carry along. Leave the trail cleaner than when you entered.

I always add weight with a camera and cell phone. The camera is optional but the phone is a good safety idea.

Along those ridges of the Kittatinny Mountains, hawks and eagles can be seen along with common trail companions like the little Towhee.

The Trail is marked with white painted blazes on trees and rocks along the way. Two blazes, one above the other, indicate a change in direction of the trail.

Is their danger on the trail? Probably the greatest danger is in you attempting more hiking than you can handle or a trip, fall or twisted ankle. Snakes are rare and the only poisonous one you would encounter is the copperhead who would rather not encounter you.

There are certainly black bears in the area, but they also will do their best to avoid you. (Campers with food supplies are more likely to attract the nterest of bears, raccoons and other creatures.)

There are some trail shelters along the way, but if there's a chance of rain, bring some protection.

Do you have a favorite short hike in New Jersey? Post a comment and let us know and maybe we can feature it on the site.

http://www.njskylands.com/odhikeaptrl.htm
http://www.trails.com/activity.aspx?area=10129
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/
Appalachian Trail Guide to New York - New Jersey (Appalachian Trail Guides)
Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States: MD PA NJ NY the Appalachian Trail
Nature Walks in New Jersey, AMC Guide to the Best Trails from the Highlands to Cape May

Walking The Path A Little At A Time

Crossposted from Weekends in Paradelle where I had written about how "Less Is More" thinking had led me to rethink my Appalachian Trail hiking plans.

The "true" Appalachian Trail (AT) hikers are known as "thru-hikers." Those are people who hike the trail from end-to-end, all at once. That was my original plan and inspiration. You read the books about those experiences and see that they are life-changing experiences and you feel inspired.

You also realize that it will cost thousands of dollars in supplies and about five months (on average) away from family and work to accomplish. Of course, you don't just start walking. You need to be a seasoned hiker, in excellent condition and with a wealth of outdoors knowledge.

Realizing that being a thru-hiker was not meant to be for me, I decided on a simpler path. There are several ways to do that.

Day hikers spend an afternoon covering about 2-6 miles. Weekend hikers have their backpacks with several days of provisions. Both approaches are a good way to train and to evaluate whether or not you're ready for a more challenging adventure.

Taking it up a few notches brings you to the section hikers. These hikers will take to the wilderness for weeks. They will take on a portion of the trail piece by piece. This occurs with not only the AT but many other long trails that are done in stages over many years.

It's still my hope to do section hikes, even if I never connect all of them into a completed AT hike.

Most books will tell you that the most important factor is your physical condition. So, I may have to have the long-postponed knee surgery before I get too ambitious. I have done 20-mile hikes, but experienced hikers always say that it's those 50+ mile hikes that will open your eyes to what it's all about mentally and physically.

There are many books on all this including guides to individual states and areas like the Appalachian Trail Guide to New York - New Jersey

I bought a number of the guides, but I would also recommend some of these titles for "armchair hikers" who want to experience the thru hike via someone else's experiences.

More Online
http://www.bucktrack.com/Thru-hiking_the_Appalachian_Trail.html
http://www.whiteblaze.net

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Horseshoe Crab Benchmark Assessment

The following is from the text of a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. A more detailed overview of the horseshoe crab stock assessment is available as a pdf document on the Commission website www.asmfc.org under Breaking News (Horseshoe Crab Stock Assessment Overview).

In its report to the Commission's Horseshoe Crab Management Board, an independent panel of scientists endorsed the use of the 2009 horseshoe crab benchmark stock assessment and its accompanying multispecies Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) framework for management use.

The assessment indicates abundance has increased in the Southeast and Delaware Bay Region (New Jersey through coastal Virginia), and decreased in the New York and New England. In the Delaware Bay Region, increasing trends were most evident for juveniles, followed by adult males. An increase in adult females is now beginning to be observed in the Virginia Tech Benthic Trawl Survey. These patterns are indicative of population recovery, given that horseshoe crab females take longer to mature than males.

In contrast, declining abundance was evident in New York and New England. Declines in the New England population were also apparent in the 2004 assessment; however, declines in New York represent a downturn from the 2004 assessment. The Technical Committee believes decreased harvest quotas in Delaware Bay encouraged increased harvest in nearby regions. The Technical Committee recommends continued precautionary management to address effects of redirected harvest from Delaware Bay to outlying populations.

The ARM framework includes modeling that links management of horseshoe crab harvest to multispecies objectives, particularly red knot shorebird recovery. It was developed jointly by the Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey in recognition of the importance of horseshoe crab eggs to several shorebird species in the Delaware Bay. Within the ARM framework, a set of alternative multispecies models have been developed for the Delaware Bay to predict the optimal horseshoe crab harvest strategy that would address the needs of red knot population as well as the fishing industry. Both the peer review panel and Horseshoe Crab Management Board accepted use of the ARM framework as a tool to provide guidance for the multispecies management of horseshoe crab.

The Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Countis an annual four-day event. This year is will be on February 12-15 (Thursday - Monday).

Bird watchers of all ages will be counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. You can spend 15 minutes on one day or all all four days getting involved.

The count is a collaborative effort of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon. Participants are helping scientists learn about bird populations. It's also a good activity to get kids interested in the nature that's literally in their backyard.

GBBC events are all over North America. Below are events listed for New Jersey. Additional events are listed on their website.

GBBC Birding Seminar
When: Saturday, February 6, 10:00 AM-Noon
Where: Forest Road Park building at Fanwood Nature Center. Join the Fanwood Environmental Commission for an information session and birding seminar. Learn about birds that come to your feeder with birding expert, Holly Hoffman. Pre-registration required. Walk-ins welcome depending on space availability. Also learn how to count birds for the GBBC. Participate in bird activities and games to learn how to identify birds and how they adapt to different habitats. Pick up a bio-degradable bird feeder kit. Attractive door prizes! This is a free event open to all ages and skill levels. Children will receive participation certificate and a bird patch. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, we invite you to the Fanwood Nature Center to join volunteers to count birds for the GBBC. To register for birding seminar on Feb 6, forms available at www.fanwoodec.org or the Fanwood Borough Hall. Drop off completed registration form by Feb 3, at Fanwood Borough Hall or call to register at 908-322-8236 or email registration to fanwoodec@fanwoodec.org.

GBBC at Duke Farms

Where: 80 Route 206 South, enter via the gate at Dukes Parkway East
Hillsborough.
-Friday, February 12, 10:00-Noon: GBBC Bird Walk
Members of the Natural Resources staff at Duke Farms will lead volunteers along trails on the property to record bird species and numbers. Bird watchers of all levels, including beginners, are invited to attend. Free, no pre-registration required. Meet at the Visitors Center.

-Saturday and Sunday, February 13-14, 10 AM- 3:00 PM: Trails Open for GBBC Counting
Bird watchers who wish to participate in the GBBC should pick up checklists at the Visitors Center before heading out to tally birds, or they may count birds at the feeders located outside the Visitors Center. Free, no pre-registration required.

Contact: For directions to Duke Farms or for more information on their their birding and other educational programs, visit www.dukefarms.org or call (908) 722-3700.

GBBC at Flat Rock Brook

When: Sunday, February 14, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Where: Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue, Englewood. Be a “citizen scientist” and participate in the GBBC. Learn to identify New Jersey’s winter birds and then take a guided walk to identify and count all the birds we can find. Our data will be used by scientists to analyze bird populations. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. No need to pre-register. For adults and children age 8 and older.
Contact: (201) 567-1265 ext 203, jill@flatrockbrook.org, or visit our website: www.flatrockbrook.org

GBBC at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

When: Sunday, February 14, 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Where: Wallkill Refuge Headquarters, 1547 County Route 565, Vernon. Friends of the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge are inviting the public to help count the birds for the GBBC. Participants are welcome to stop in and watch the birds at the refuge feeders from the warmth of the building or walk along the trail. A presentation on birdfeeding will be given at 1:00 PM. Volunteers Herb Houghton and Giselle Smisko will be available to answer questions and assist new birdwatchers with identification pointers. The program is free.
Contact: friendsofwallkillrivernwr@yahoo.com or call (973) 702-1957

GBBC at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center – Chatham

When: Saturday, Feb. 13, 9:00 AM -4:00 PM
Where: 247 Southern Blvd, Chatham. Pick up an observation packet at the visitor center and go out to your favorite vantage point to count birds. A staff naturalist will be at the visitor center counting the feeder birds and answering any questions. A great way to participate in the count! FREE. Ages 5 & up
Contact: The Great Swamp OEC, (973) 635-6629
www.morrisparks.net

GBBC and Earth Center Birdcount

When: Sunday, Feb. 14, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Davidson Mill Pond Park, 42 Riva Avenue, North Brunswick. The Middlesex NJ Master Gardeners group is hosting its "Earth Center 3rd Annual Birdcount" in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count on this day. We will hand out a bird checklist for your use and free coffee, and suggest you bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have one. Beginners and experienced birders welcome!
Contact: Pat Evans, pat_j_evans@yahoo.com

Monday, February 8, 2010

Pika Threatened By Climate Change Will Not Be Added To Endangered Species

The Fish and Wildlife Service has rejected a bid to extend endangered species protection to the pika. What is perhaps more important in this decision is not the immediate survival of the species in the Western U.S. but in the possible reason for its rejection. This cousin of the rabbit is being pushed closer to extinction and the most probable cause is the politically-sensitive climate change.

The pika is a small hamster-like animal, with short limbs, rounded ears, and short tail. The name pika (pronounced PYE-kə) is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomorphs, which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). One genus, Ochotona, is recognised within the family, and it includes 30 species.

Pikas are also called rock rabbits or coneys. It is also known as the "whistling hare" due to its high-pitched alarm call when diving into its burrow.

These animals are herbivores, and feed on a wide variety of plant matter. Because of their native habitat, they primarily eat grasses, sedges, shrub twigs, moss, and lichen.

The American pika's mountain habitat is the California's Sierra Nevada and parts of 9 other Western states. Temperatures in these western areas could increase by up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Pika have thick coats that allow them to tolerate harsh winters but literally overheat them to death if they are exposed to an afternoon of 77+ degrees Fahrenheit.

By adding the pika to the ESA list, it would have forced the current administration to address the issue of climate change affecting animal species. That is a fight that the Bush administration was unwilling to take on, and it appears that the Obama administration is also unwilling to tackle it.

In defending the decision to keep them from being listed, the administration points to new studies that suggest that pika will be able to migrate to cooler areas upslope.

Pika: Life in the Rocks

ScientificAmerican.com/pika-endangered-species

Friday, February 5, 2010

February Environmental Programs in Essex County

A variety of programs are being offered at the Essex County Environmental Center during the month of February that will teach children and adults about nature and help them gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our environment. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites children and adults to visit the Environmental Center where they can enjoy an enriching recreational experience through nature and conservation activities.

Some samples:

“Little Explorers Winter Nature Program” is a child-caregiver class that uses stories, walks and crafts to develop an awareness and appreciation for science and nature for the child as well as the caregiver. Each session, a different nature or science topic is covered. Space is limited. Advance registration and payment is required. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. Cost is $5 per child per session (additional material fees may apply). Little Explorers Nature Program is scheduled as follows:

Dates: Thursdays, February 2 through 25, 2010
Times: 10 a.m. for ages 2 to 3½ years
1 p.m. OR 3 p.m. for ages 3½ to 5 years
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Owls of Essex” is a family-oriented program being offered by the NJ Audubon Society. Participants will investigate where these majestic birds fit into the food web by dissecting owl pellets, discover how owls build their nests and communicate, and make “owl pellet” candy to take home. Space is limited. Advance registration is required. For information, call the NJ Audubon Society at 973-226-6082. Cost is $5 for NJAS members and $7 for non-members. Owls of Essex will be held as follows:

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Will We Sacrifice Our Water for Gas? Natural Gas Drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and How It Will Impact New Jersey Residents' Water Supply” is sponsored by the West Essex Park Conservancy and the Essex Sierra Club Singles Group. Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, will address the looming impacts of natural gas drilling in the Delaware River Watershed and the harmful environmental effects it may have on downstream populations such as New Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. There will also be a discussion on the Halliburton Loophole, which exempts gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act and other federal environmental laws. For information, call 973-228-8776. Cost is $7 per adult and free for WEPC/Sierra Club members. Natural Gas Drilling will be held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
621B Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

“Birding Hike in Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation” is presented by the New Jersey Audubon Society. Enjoy the beautiful views of Manhattan while discovering the birds of open spaces and woodlands. Meet at the Essex County Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial parking lot in West Orange. Space is limited. The hike is free. Contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register. Birding Hike is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Essex County Eagle Rock Reservation
Essex County Eagle Rock September 11th Memorial
Eagle Rock Avenue
West Orange, NJ

“4-H Environmental Kids Club” is for children in grades 2nd through 5th. The environment is filled with things big and small, that surprise and help us. Join the 4-H Club each month to see how much fun it is to learn about the world. Advance registration is required. For more information, please call 4-H at 973-228-3785. 4-H Environmental Kids Club will be held as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: Essex County Environmental Center
Garibaldi Hall
621A Eagle Rock Avenue
Roseland, NJ

download Programs Brochure (PDF)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Tracking and Stalking

Tracking is an ancient activity and an excellent way to become more attuned to the natural world.

Though many people associate tracking and stalking with hunting, it can also be a technique used by wildlife observers and photographers.

In fact, the aim of many trackers is non-intrusive because getting too close to animals can cause them to abandon their young, disturb nesting grounds, and damage their foraging areas or patterns.

There are many books on reading tracks and stalking techniques. Several techniques focus on very mindful walking.

The Fox Walk is a technique that allows you to feel the surface of the ground and slowly compress, leaves, and sticks to minimize noise.

In stalking, one steps very slowly - about 1 minute per step. You minimize all body movement.That includes freezing if the animal looks up and holding still it until the animal is no longer focused on you.
If you're taking children along, it can be both frustrating and instructive to try to get them to be this quiet and more slowly and observantly.

It's also fun and educational to create a track box alongside a trail, practice wide-angle vision, focused hearing and stalk each other.