Someone asked us recently how many species of birds on the state's Threatened and Endangered lists nest in the Meadowlands. Do you know how many, and what species?
What about nesting species on the state's list of birds of Special Concern? (Another nesting species was added this summer.) Do you know how many, and which species?
Answer, and our eternal admiration to whoever gets it right, tomorrow.
This is a great question Jim. I have been working on reports and projects that ask these types of things so have been
looking at these lists for 24 months. The Special Concern and Regional Priority Bird Species are also important to note when seen for several reasons.
Noting the E, T, SC, RP and common species makes areas like the NJ Meadowlands important assets.
On a side note I had 3 storm petrels in the Meadowlands Sunday AM and hope to send the pixs to you.
Well here is my attempt to list all the T, E, SC and RP species of the NJ Meadowlands. Advise any developments/corrections.
tks Fred Virrazzi
T and E Bird Breeding Species of the Meadowlands
Pied-billed Grebe
Least Tern
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
American Bittern (suspected breeding, but area has noise pollution)
Osprey
N. Harrier
Peregrine Falcon
Savannah Sparrow
Short-eared Owl (Extirpated)
Special Concern and Regional Priority Species of the NJ Meadowlands
Least Bittern SC
All the herons not T and E are either SC or RP (most/all not breeders)
American Kestrel SC
Virginia Rail RP
Willet RP (extirpated?)
Spotted Sandpiper SC
American Woodcock RP
Yellow-billed Cuckoo RP
Barn Owl is SC but should be T
Eastern Kingbird RP
N. Flicker RP
Common Nighthawk SC (Extirpated?)
Willow Flycatcher RP
Horned Lark SC (is it still there?)
Marsh Wren RP
Gray Catbird RP
Brown Thrasher RP
Blue-headed Vireo SC
Indigo Bunting RP
Seaside Sparrow RP
Salt Marsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow RP
Wow, Fred. I am posting a list tomorrow that does not include Regional Priority birds.
You will be happy to hear we had successful Common Nighthawk nest this summer…