DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 37 miles of the NJ / PA border of the Delaware River. There are spring & fall bird migrations pass overhead especially in the Kittatinny Ridge area. This unfragmented area is home to barred owls, red-shouldered hawks, Cooper's hawks, timber rattlesnakes and bobcats. Take NJ exit #1 off Rt. 80 (last exit in NJ) Old Mine Road, follow road to the Visitor Center for a map.

WALKILL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE A large waterfowl habitat (7500 acres) along a 9 mile section of the Walkill river. 225 species of bird have been seen including 24 raptor species. The occasional black bear & bobcat are seen. There is a wildlife observation deck, Wood Duck Trail & hundreds of acres of upland grassland. Near Sussex & Unionville - Rt. 23 to Rt. 565 1.4 miles to refuge office

WAYWAYANDA STATE PARK This highlands area near the NY border includes 19.6 miles of the Appalachian Trail. A raptor habitat with barred owls, Cooper's 7 red-shouldered hawks. The hardwood forests 7 rocky ridges are habitat to black bears (about 30 of NJ's 600 bear population), coyotes, foxes, porcupines, wild turkeys & pileated woodpeckers. Bobcats were reintroduced on Bearfort Mountain in the early 1980's and join wood turtles and timber rattlesnakes. Look for beaver activity in the Swamp natural Area or along the Double Pond Trail From West Milford go north on Rt. 513 to White Road, to Warwick Turnpike, north 6 miles to entrance

WILDCAT RIDGE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA The Hibernia Mine bat hibernaculum is located here but is gated to prevent visitors. Follow Beaver Pond Trail (yes, there are beavers) and Overlook Trail. Watch for herons & kingfishers. An official hawk counting station is located here. The 2653 acres is the largest contiguous area in north Jersey & is habitat to endangered hawks, owls, and rare songbirds. Exit 37 from Rt. 80 - 2.8 miles on Rt. 513, right turn on Sunnyside Rd.

GREAT SWAMP AREA Includes the National Wildlife Refuge. There are car routes, a boardwalk trail, observation blinds and 2 education centers. Great blue herons are residents here, as well as wetlands raptors like the barred owl & hawks. Many waterfowl like the wood duck can be observed. More than 8,000 acres are included in this entire area. This is the remains of glacial Lake Passaic which covered 4 NJ counties in prehistoric times. Near Stirling, Chatham & Basking Ridge. Interstate 287, exit 30A. Call the Refuge 973-425-1222 - the Outdoor Center 973-635-6629 - and Lord Stirling Park - 908-766-2489

SANDY HOOK - GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATION AREA This long, slender peninsula goes 6.5 miles into NY Harbor and has 1665 acres. Popular as a swimming beach in summer and fishing area year round, it is also a major beach nesting area. The visitors center (2 miles in from entrance) can guide you to trails & observation areas AND warn you of nesting areas for piping plovers, black skimmers, least terns and many shorebird species. On the bay side Horseshoe Cove Salt Marsh look for great blue herons, green herons and egrets. Offshore viewing from the beaches in summer may allow you a view of passing whales (hence the naming of the Spermaciti Cove Visitor Center) From the Parkway (exit 117 from the North or 105 from the south) follow signs on Rt. 36 for 12 miles. Admission charge during summer season.

This information was obtained from the more detailed listings in The Watchable Wildlife Guide (Falcon Press) This is a guide to 99 viewing sites for wildlife in NJ and was a joint effort of the ENSP and Defenders of Wildlife. It contains 8 eco-region tours for ecology-minded tourists. For info on ordering a copy, click here