Beach nesting birds are further challenged by frequent disturbance from heavy recreational use of the beaches. Protection of nesting sites with fencing has proved inadequate as many animals enter by digging under the fence. Growing red fox and feral cat populations prey heavily upon nesting shorebirds, especially Piping Plover. Invasive plant species including the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissimma), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia ), Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) and Japanese mugwort (Artemisia princes) threaten habitat diversity and outcompete native vegetation. Long-term Research/Monitoring: Hawk Watch annually since 1979, banding projects in the 1980s Conservation Issues Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover-Landbirds (SM, FM) Significant Migrant Stopover/Flyover-Shorebirds (SM) Significant Congregations-Exceptional Diversity (SM, FM) Significant Congregations of Waterfowl (W) Regional Responsibility Species - BCR 30 Salt Marsh/Wetland: American Black Duck, Seaside Sparrow, Clapper Rail, Mallard, Marsh Wren, Osprey, Willet (B) Ornithological SummaryĬonservation Concern ? Federally-endangered State-endangered: Least Tern (B)Ĭonservation Concern ? Federally-threatened State-endangered: Piping Plover (B) NJ Audubon Society has collected valuable information from a hawk watch count and several banding projects throughout Sandy Hook for over 20 years. Sandy Hook contains America?s oldest operating lighthouse, erected in 1764 by New York merchants. The southern portion of Sandy Hook was designated a state park after World War II and was later merged with Fort Hancock as the Gateway NRA. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection designated Sandy Hook a Natural Heritage Priority Site, one of the state?s most significant natural areas. The site contains a variety of habitats including sandy beaches, extensive vegetated dune habitat, tidal mudflats, tidal salt marsh and two tracts of maritime forest, one of which is the largest remaining tract in NJ. Sandy Hook is a critical component of the Sandy Hook Bay Complex, a significant habitat complex of the New York Bight Watershed, designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Sandy Hook is also designated as a globally significant IBA by National Audubon Society for its ability to support Piping Plovers. It is designated as a Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA) and is administered by the National Park Service. Sandy Hook is a barrier beach peninsula located in an urban landscape at the northern tip of New Jersey?s shoreline.
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