Status of New Jersey's Rare Wildlife
New Jersey's Wildlife Populations in Danger: A Status Report for 2011
Biologists with the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey help monitor and manage many endangered and threatened species in New Jersey in cooperation with the Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Each year we summarize the results of surveys and monitoring programs to show the most current information about the status of New Jersey's wildlife. Below you will find a brief summary for species that we help monitor and manage.
Bald eagles and ospreys had record-breaking years while Allegheny woodrats and Indiana bat populations continued to struggle. Much of our work could not be completed without the help of a core of dedicated volunteers. They are an indispensable group of people and we are able to report on the great successes (and unfortunate disappointments) because of their dedication.
Zoom+ An Allegheny woodrat is released after being live-trapped at a NJ Palisades study site. © Mick Valent
ALLEGHENY WOODRAT: Annual monitoring during the fall of 2011 resulted in the same number of captures as last year. Preliminary genetic analysis has revealed that the Palisades woodrat population is suffering from inbreeding depression that is characteristic of small, isolated populations.
BALD EAGLES: A record number of 113 territorial eagle pairs were monitored, including 95 active nesting pairs that produced 119 young.
BLACK SKIMMERS: A total of 1846 black skimmers nested New Jersey in 2011, down from 2219 adults in 2010. As was the case last year, nearly the entire state breeding population was concentrated in just one colony. Statewide productivity was strong with 775 fledglings produced.
Zoom+ Eastern tiger salamander. © John Bunnell
EASTERN TIGER SALAMANDERS: In the fall of 2011, construction of vernal
pools began to expand eastern tiger salamander habitat in Cape May County and create migration routes for amphibians along the Peninsula.
FRESHWATER MUSSELS: The first North American occurrence of the highly invasive Chinese Pond Mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana) was documented in NJ in 2011.
INDIANA BATS: Indiana bat numbers were down significantly at Hibernia Mine with only one male banded during the 2010-11 hibernation season. Surprisingly, pre-hibernation sampling during the late summer and early fall of 2011 at Mt. Hope Mine recorded 405 Indiana bats, exceeding all other bats species captured.
LEAST TERNS: A total of 1275 least terns were present at 20 active breeding colonies in New Jersey in 2011, nearly the same as in 2010. Statewide productivity was moderate with 390 fledglings being produced.
MIGRATORY SHOREBIRDS: Shorebirds on the Delaware Bay migratory stopover remain at historically low levels. In 2011, red knots and ruddy turnstones were at their lowest abundances in 25 years. These birds also suffered declines on wintering areas in South America. Horseshoe crabs and their eggs, upon which Delaware Bay migratory shorebirds depend have not recovered to levels high enough to stem declines of red knots and other shorebirds.
NORTHERN METALMARK: Extensive surveys over the last two years indicate several lost sites. However, several populations continue to do well. New, smaller occurrences near larger sites have been located. Habitat management is focused on rebuilding declining populations at several locations.
OSPREYS: Survey results indicated that ospreys had another great year. For a second consecutive year over 600 young were produced, making for a productivity rate over 2.00, twice the level necessary for a stable population.
Zoom+ An adult piping plover watches over its young as it stretches its wings. Piping plover chicks fledge, or first fly when they are around 4 weeks old. © Kim Steininger
PEREGRINE FALCONS: 24 pairs are known in New Jersey but not all were tracked for nesting success. Productivity was average at 1.46 young/active nest.
PIPING PLOVERS: A total of 111 pairs of piping plover nested in New Jersey in 2011, a small increase (3%) from 2010 (108 pairs), but essentially no change from a long-term perspective. Statewide productivity was 1.18 chicks fledged per pair, down from the record-setting level recorded in 2010 (1.38 fledglings/pair), but still above average and considered robust for New Jersey.
Learn More:
- Threats to wildlife in New Jersey
- Conservation status of wildlife in New Jersey
- List of all Endangered and Threatened wildlife in New Jersey
Sources: Biologists for Conserve Wildlife Foundation and
NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program
Sign up for Email
Don't miss the latest wildlife news from Conserve Wildlife Foundation.
Help Support Our Work
There are many ways to support rare species conservation in New Jersey. Your gift benefits us all by helping to protect our precious natural heritage.