|
|
|
|
Bear Swamp is a 3000-acre wilderness in Medford and Southampton townships, Burlington County, that lies between Rt. 70 on the north, Hawkin Road on the south, Skeet Road on the west, and Rt. 206 to the east. Located only 18 miles due east from the center of Audubon, it is a 35 minute drive away. This is truly a magical place! Towering white cedars permeate the air. Gnarled oaks, red maple and sweet gum intertwine to create an interesting atmosphere. During the day Red-Shouldered Hawks course through the wooded wetlands and Barred Owls patrol the forest at nightfall, both are threatened species. This area is part of the Rancocas Creek Watershed. On January 9,1998 the Audubon Wildlife Society (AWS) with the help of the Ingersoll Fund and a matching grant from the state Green Acres purchased 112 acres in the heart of this unique area. On October 9, 1998, the AWS purchased an additional 228 acres entirely on its own to add to what is known as the Bear Swamp Red Lion Preserve. Both tracts were turned -over to the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, which already owned a 500-acre tract in the Swamp. A total of 840 acres are -now saved for generations to come in this unique ecosystem. This area is a neotropical breeding bird Mecca. Every spring hundreds of migrants arrive to raise their young and thousands more stop to feed as they pass through on their northern migration. A total of 168 species have been recorded in, or flying over Bear Swamp, 73 species are known to nest here. In 1996 four nest boxes were put out for Prothonotary Warblers on a trial basis. The Prothonotary is the only eastern warbler that nests in cavities. Two of the boxes were used and nine young were fledged. In 1997 fourteen boxes were erected. The boxes are monitored on a weekly basis. The bright golden-colored warblers arrive on the breeding grounds about April 17th adding a brilliant splash of color to the drab gloom of the dark wooded bottomlands. Their song, a series of vigorous, ringing, sweet-sweet-sweet notes, is music to our ears. Eight nests were successful - one having a second brood for a total of 33 young fledged in 1997. In 1998 the warblers occupied eleven of the fifteen boxes erected. A total of 57 eggs were counted with 44 young fledging successfully. Many times during our rounds, checking the boxes, we had the opportunity to observe Hooded, Kentucky, Blue-winged, Worm-eating, and Common Yellowthroat Warblers. Scarlet Tanager, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Louisiana Waterthrush, and many other birds, too numerous to mention were also seen. Where two small streams flowing through the area meet, there is a quiet little glen. It was here on one of our field trips that our group was privileged to see a Barred Owl come flying in and perch in full view over our heads. What a gift! The members of the AWS can rightly feel proud that our organization was responsible for saving this vital habitat. Thanks go to the members of the Ingersoll committee who proposed buying this land to save, and to the officers of our club who voted their approval to go ahead with the purchase. This tract is vital not only because it is a beautiful natural area, but also because it is located directly in the path of suburban development, spreading ever eastward from the Philadelphia, Camden, and Cherry Hill metropolitan areas. As we are now just beginning to learn more about the Golden Swamp Warbler, this preserve has great potential as a natural outdoor laboratory where we can further our understanding of the natural world. The Bear Swamp Preserve is open to the public. There are trails throughout the area for everyone to enjoy. Don't pass up an opportunity to visit.
|