What to Expect at the E.B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

Seasonal Guide to Wildlife Activity
Wildlife and Habitats
Bird List

Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge Home Page

Seasonal Guide to Wildlife Activity

Although migratory and other seasonal wildlife events are described below by month for easy reference, actual timing can vary from year to year due to weather conditions and other factors. Check out our sightings page to find out what species were seen during the current waterfowl census. White-tailed deer and other resident species may be visible in refuge habitats in virtually any season.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

JANUARY : Watch the salt marsh carefully for eagles, which may be resting on ice or bottom mud in the impoundments or flying overhead. Shades of brown dominate in nature while winter reigns. In refuge wetlands, the first bright colors will be breeding plumage of male ducks. Walk the refuge trails. Watch for early leaf buds o trees and shrubs. A winter tree finder guide will help you identify the different species. Some trees may still hold leaves from last year. Check for cones and seed pods on the ground. Near sunset is a good time to watch for Short-eared Owls. They hunt over the salt marsh or rest on marsh grass. Their appearance in flight may resemble a giant moth. Diving waterfowl can be seen in the bay waters. Buffleheads, Common Goldeneyes, Horned Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers dive for their food. It is often hard to see them as they swim underwater. Remember to look for hawks flying overhead especially on breezy days. Tundra Swans often rest and feed in the West Pool. Take a walk along the Leeds Eco Trail and watch for wintering songbirds feeding on the bayberries and cedar berries. During thaws, Great Blue Herons may occasionally be seen feeding in the marsh. Wintry conditions freeze the marsh surface. Snow blankets everything which changes the appearance of the area. Drive carefully if there is snow or ice on the roads. Sometimes the Wildlife Drive may be closed if the conditions are poor. It’s best to call ahead if you plan to visit during bad weather.

FEBRUARY: This is the shortest month of the year. Watch for early signs of spring! Natural food sources are scarce as fall seed are consumed and new spring sources have not yet appeared. Hungry birds may crowd bird feeders outside the headquarters building. From Monday through Friday, come inside the warm auditorium and get a peek at the feeders. The feeders are up from October through April. Fresh water is also supplied. Warming weather may result in early insect hatches. Wintering songbirds will feast on this tasty food source. Keep a list of your wildlife sightings over time. Look for patterns of seasonal change. In what season do we usually see robins? Skunk cabbage begins to bloom in wet areas. Coincidentally, skunks begin to mate about this time. There is no connection between the two events! Mergansers, Snow Geese and other birds which have wintered here begin to migrate north to their breeding grounds. First migrants from down south will soon arrive in New Jersey. Watch for the early arrival of male red-winged blackbirds along marsh edges and flocks of dark-colored cormorants overhead.

MARCH : Watch for Short-eared Owls at dawn and dusk as they fly low over the salt marshes, looking for small rodents to eat. The Drive may be temporarily closed some day, as Refuge staff conduct controlled burns to remove harmful, introduced pest plants along marsh edges. After a burn, watch blackened areas turn green with lush new native growth. Listen for the male Spring Peeper's mating call in fresh water marshes. They are the earliest frogs to be herd in spring, as warming weather coaxes them out of hibernation. Look and listen for male Red-winged blackbirds along marsh edges, as they sing and "shake, rattle and roll." They are competing for nesting territories. Females will choose males that have the best territories for nesting. Ospreys return from their southern wintering grounds to nest in New Jersey. At the Refuge, look for their courtship flights. Watch nesting platforms along the Wildlife Drive, as pairs build nests of sticks and other items. Listen for the raucous "laughing" cried of Laughing gulls as they return each spring to their breeding grounds in New Jersey's coastal salt marshes. The distinctive black heads of breeding adults make them easy to identify. Male Horned Grebes are in beautiful breeding plumage. Watch for them in bay waters. The yellow feather tufts along the sides of their head resemble "horns." In Refuge marshes, Canada geese are pairing up and looking for potential nesting sites. As the season progresses, watch for nesting geese in the East and west pools. Northbound waterfowl migration begins. (Holgate closes to all public entry April 1.)

APRIL: Beach-nesting birds, including piping plovers, arrive on refuge beaches. Wading birds and shorebirds begin to arrive; glossy ibis numbers peak in late April. Canada geese hatch (goslings usually feeding on refuge dikes by May 20). Purple Martins begin to return to the houses near the Headquarters Building. Watch for their courtship displays as they try to attract a mate. Volunteers perform weekly checks of the Purple Martin houses during their stay here. Stop by the headquarters building or call the office if you want to learn more about the program.

MAY: Greatest diversity and peak numbers of warblers in refuge uplands, coinciding with the seasonally increasing insect populations which are a major part of their diet. Turtles may be seen laying eggs in the soft dirt along refuge roadways, or sunbathing on roads and wetland edges. Drive carefully. Northbound bird migration is in full swing. Take a quiet walk on woodland trails to see migratory songbirds. Seasonal insect hatches refuel them for the next leg of their flight. Many waterfowl have migrated to their summer breeding areas in the northern United States and Canada. Look for stragglers in nearby wetlands. Horseshoe crabs come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand of Turtle Cove. Migrating shorebirds stop to feast on crab eggs, refueling for the next leg of their long journey to Arctic tundra. Wild flowers are blooming. Those that produce nectar will attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Marsh grasses grow rapidly. Poison Ivy alert! Green leaves of three- "leave" them be! Canada goose families graze along Wildlife Drive edges and swim in nearby waterways. Listen for male frogs chorusing in freshwater wetlands as they serenade females. Birds are nesting now...do not approach or disturb! Watch for fish-eating birds over refuge waterways. Terns dive straight in, while Black Skimmers slice the water with their long, sensitive lower beak, snapping up food on contact. Purple Martins can be seen gathering straw, leaves and mud to build their nests. You might even see them catch a dragonfly or other insect.

JUNE: Turtles are crossing roads to reach suitable nest sites. On the refuge, they have the right of way. Biting insects search for a meal. Don't forget your insect repellent. Pond lilies can be seen in quiet fresh water areas. Look here also for turtles sunning on stumps and mud banks. Notice the outstanding white wing markings of Willets flying up out of the marsh. Listen for their loud distinctive call. Clapper rails skulk along the edges of waterways, moving in and out of the marsh grasses. Can you spot one? Watch for ducklings in water along the Wildlife Drive. Wildflowers bloom. Along the Drive, look for white daisies and pink smartweed. The broad leaves at the base of common mullein are easy to spot. Watch for "eclipse plumage!" With mating season past, many male ducks shed their colorful courtship feathers to mimic camouflage colors of the females. Wildlife observation requires patience and quiet. How close would you stay if a "noisy giant" was observing you?

JULY: Shorebirds are breeding and raising young. A patient observer may see fuzzy gray willet chicks and their parents foraging in wetlands along the Wildlife Drive. On the refuge, this year's Peregrine falcon chicks are practicing their flying skills. Observe their first attempts to catch prey. Parent birds still provide food until chick skills improve. Dragonflies are laying eggs in fresh water wetlands. The refuge entrance and exit bridges are good spots to see this interesting behavior. Fiddler crabs swarm across the salt marsh mud flats at low tide. Watch for them as you walk along the Refuge's Eco-Trail boardwalk. Southbound shorebirds rest and feed here, as migration begins. Some songbirds, having raised a first brood in the spring, are now raising a second brood. Fireflies blink their lights on and off by means of a bioluminescent belly. Each species has its own "flash" pattern, used by females to attract a mate. Watch for colorful ladybugs, our field and garden helpers. They control harmful "pest" insects by eating them. Eastern Kingbirds perch on tall flower stems or branches. They fly out to catch their insect meal, then return to their "home base." Listen for the night-time chorus of grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids. These "orchestral insects" produce their musical sounds by rubbing wings or legs together.

AUGUST: Seashore mallow blooms appear in the marsh. Notice the color variation, from white to pink and red. From the Wildlife Drive, watch hungry, migrating shorebirds as they "fuel up" along refuge mud flats. This "feast" on small mud-dwelling creatures supplies energy the birds need for their long flight to South America. Walking quietly along Refuge trails will allow you to see shy animals like rabbits, chipmunks, snakes and lizards that seek cover when possible predators are nearby. Waking birds feed in the shallow pools created as the tide goes out. Watch their quick stabs as they snap up the small fish trapped in the shallow water. Rainy weather brings out mushrooms along Refuge trails and in wooded areas elsewhere. Beware! Some are poisonous. Tree swallows begin to congregate prior to migration. Look for them on trees and wires, where they often look like rows of clothespins. Plants are setting seed and fruiting. Along the Leeds Trail, look for wax myrtle's gray berries. A reddish-brown seed cluster adorns the top of staghorn sumac, and poison ivy's grayish white berries are visible. Bright yellow blossoms of seaside goldenrod adorn the edges of the wildlife Drive. Watch for a variety of butterflies feeding on the flower nectar.

SEPTEMBER: Fall flowers bloom in the salt marsh. Along the Leeds Eco-trail, look for the red of glasswort, the dainty white fall flowers of salt marsh asters and the slender fan of sea lavender. Red "leaves of three" warn of poison ivy. Visitors may see migrating hawks flying over the salt marsh and woods, searching for food. Remember to look sky ward from time to time so you don't miss them. Young animals are learning how and where to find food. Watch for them as you walk the trails and along the Wildlife Drive. Remember, feeding of wildlife is prohibited on the refuge. Goldenrod is in full bloom. Monarch butterflies migrating through this area stop to sip its nectar, to fuel the next stretch of their long journey to Mexican wintering grounds. Look for the beautiful blue flowers of Pine Barrens Gentian, in moist sandy barrens habitats. Look for ducks stopping to rest and feed in Refuge wetlands as they migrate south. Many are traveling to their wintering grounds in Central and South America. Morning dew accentuates spider webs. Look for different kinds of webs as you walk the trails.

OCTOBER: Observe the trees and shrubs in this season as glorious fall colors start to appear. Fewer shorebirds are seen in refuge impoundments. More species of ducks can be seen resting and feeding in refuge waters. Look for diving ducks in salt water areas. Watch for deer early in the morning or near dusk feeding on islands in the impoundments. Persimmon trees bear ripening fruit, a sweet treat for wildlife. Look for them among the other trees as you walk the Leed’s Eco Trail. Atlantic Brant geese arrive to spend the winter here. Look for large flocks resting inside the impoundments and flying over or feeding in surrounding bay waters. Listen for their soft voices as they communicate with each other. Some songbirds are still migrating south. Others are now settling in to spend the winter months. Look and listen for White-throated sparrows and Juncos among others. Are your feeders clean and filled? The feeders at the headquarters building go up during National Wildlife Refuge Week. Stop by the headquarters buildings to get a peek at the wide variety of birds (and squirrels!) that stop by to feed throughout the fall and winter. If you come Monday through Friday during the day, you can get a view from the windows in the auditorium. Vines, shrubs and trees now bear fruit and seeds for wintering wildlife. See how many different kinds of wildlife food you can identify as you walk along the refuge trails. Look for Snow Geese arriving from the far north. Many rest in the impoundments while others will be feeding in the salt marsh. Falling leaves, bare tree limbs and duller colors in nature mark the beginning of a new season.

EARLY NOVEMBER: Flocks of Snow Geese wheel and circle as they come in to land in the salt marsh and refuge impoundments. Listen to them chatter as they land and take off. Flocks of Dunlin arrive from their northern breeding grounds. They will find abundant food in the exposed mud of the impoundments and tidal channels before they move further south. Dried brown stalks of Common Mullein, looking like small cactus plants, stand tall along the drive edges and in fields. Their seed feed passing songbirds. Fall leaf color fades. Bare branches become prominent etching patterns against the dull skies of early winter. Only the evergreen trees, like cedars, pines and holly, provide some color to the landscape. Watch for the white plumage of a Snowy Owl hunting over salt marshes and impoundments. Shortage of prey in their Arctic habitat drives them south to New Jersey. Frosty nights make beautiful patterns on all things outdoors. When arriving just after sunrise, careful observation will be rewarding. Migratory ducks arrive here in non-breeding plumage making it harder for novice birders to identify some species. Brightly colored breeding plumage of males now more closely resembles the camouflage colors of the female. Seasonal bird feeding continues. Once you begin to feed the birds, don’t stop. In winter, natural foods are in short supply and birds will depend on your filled feeder. Be sure to provide fresh water, too. As your fall cleanup comes to a close, keep in mind that brush piles provide protection for birds and other wildlife, and composted leaves enrich the soil.

DECEMBER: Sea ducks, showing mostly black and white plumage, can be seen bobbing in salt water areas. Bright red berries adorn female Holly trees providing food for wintering birds. Berry pulp supplies energy for the birds. They deposit the undigested seeds on the ground to sprout in spring. Cold nights can bring an icy blanket to refuge wetlands causing most waterbirds to move to areas where they can find open water. Watch for waterbirds congregating in small ice-free areas. Northeast winter storms can carry sea birds in close to shore. You may see Gannets, Murres and Scoters along ocean beaches and bays. Watch for small songbirds such as sparrows and finches as you walk woodland trails. Berries of cedar trees, poison ivy, wax myrtle and other plants are winter survival food for these birds. Animals leave tracks in snow and soft earth. What tracks do you see around your home or on the trails at the refuge? What story do the tracks tell? Listen for the evening calls of owls as they hunt and begin their seasonal courtship.

Wildlife and Habitats

New Jersey coastal wetlands have long been the preferred habitat of large numbers of Atlantic brant and the American black duck -- a species which has suffered major population declines over the years.

While the refuge's primary concern is to meet the habitat needs of these two species, we manage refuge habitats to support a wide variety of water birds and other wildlife. Special emphasis is also placed on protection and habitat management for the endangered and threatened bird species which nest here. Forsythe Refuge is a part of the Hudson River/New York Bight Ecosystem.

Check out these U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s habitat web sites:

Habitat Portal - http://habitat.fws.gov

Wetland Related Activities-http://wetlands.fws.gov/ServicePrograms.htm

Wetland Related Links-http://wetlands.fws.gov/links.htm

Wetland Related Links for Kids and Educators-http://wetlands.fws.gov/educator

Marshes and Water Birds

More than 80 percent of Forsythe Refuge is tidal salt meadow and marsh, interspersed with shallow coves and bays. These are important resting and feeding habitats, as abundant marsh plants provide food and cover for water birds and other wildlife. The quiet tidal waters serve as nurseries, spawning and feeding grounds for fish and shellfish which are important in the diets of many wildlife species -- and of people!

At the Brigantine Division, refuge staff have used the management technique of diking to create 1,415 acres of impounded fresh- and brackish-water marsh habitat in the heart of naturally occurring tidal salt marsh. We created these wetlands to support a wider variety of wildlife than could native salt marsh alone. Water levels in the impoundments are managed to enhance the resources on which wildlife depend. In spring, refuge staff draw the water down to maximize growth of plants beneficial to waterfowl. The drawdown also provides mud flat feeding habitat for shorebirds and wading birds. We re-flood the impoundments just in time for the arrival of fall migrants.

Each spring and fall tens of thousands of migrating ducks and geese, wading birds and shorebirds concentrate here. They linger to rest and feed on the rich resources provided by our managed impoundments, thus providing Wildlife Drive visitors with spectacular viewing and photo opportunities. Several migratory species, including the black duck, remain at the refuge through summer to nest and raise their young. Atlantic brant and black ducks also overwinter here.

Peregrine falcons and ospreys frequent refuge wetlands and take advantage of the nesting platforms erected for their use.

Bald eagles use refuge habitats along the Mullica River, and occasionally forage over refuge impoundments.

Barrier Beaches and Endangered Beachnesters

More than 6,000 acres of the refuge are designated as a National Wilderness Area. This includes Holgate and Little Beach, two of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches in New Jersey. They provide essential nesting and feeding habitat for the rare piping plover, black skimmer and least tern. These birds, along with other beach-nesting species, have suffered drastic population declines as human beach developments and recreational uses have eliminated the habitat they need. Forsythe Refuge is one of their last strongholds.

The dunes, prime nesting habitat, constantly shift and change as the forces of wind and wave action mold them. Beach grasses, which trap blowing sand and stabilize the dunes, provide important cover for wildlife, especially developing young birds. Use by humans and their pets can result in severe erosion, loss of habitat, and harm to beach-nesting birds.

The refuge manages its fragile beach areas for the rare birds which depend on them. In order to minimize disturbance to the birds and their habitat, this management includes limiting or prohibiting public access. Holgate is closed to all public use during nesting season; Little Beach is closed all year except by special use permit for research or education.

Forests, Swamps and Fields

Almost 5,000 acres of the refuge are woodlands dominated by such tree species as pitch pine, oaks, and white cedar. Fields are maintained in the midst of these wooded communities to provide habitat for grassland-nesting birds, and to increase habitat diversity.

A wide variety of upland wildlife species, including songbirds, woodcock, white-tailed deer and box turtles, frequent these upland areas. Waterfowl such as black ducks often nest here.

Bird List

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge's Brigantine and Barnegat Divisions contain more than 40,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitat. Refuge headquarters and public use facilities, including an eight-mile Wildlife Drive, observation towers and two short nature trails, are at the Brigantine Division. Best birdwatching opportunities occur during spring and fall migrations. A "Guide to Seasonal Wildlife Activity" is available in the refuge's general brochure.

This list identifies 290 species that have been observed at the Brigantine and Barnegat Divisions. Names and order of listing are in accordance with the Sixth American Ornithologists' Union Checklist.

Most birds are migratory, therefore, their seasonal occurrence is coded as follows:

Season
s - Spring - March-May
S - Summer - June-August
F - Fall - September-November
W - Winter - December-February

* - birds known to nest on or near the refuge
Italics indicate threatened/endangered species

Relative Abundance
a - abundant: a species which is very numerous
c - common: likely to be seen or heard in suitable habitat
u - uncommon: present, but not certain to be seen
o - occasional: seen only a few times during a season
r - rare: may be present but not every year

Notes

Date:__________________________________________ Time:_________________________________ Observers:____________________________________________________________________________ Weather:______________________________________________________________________________ Tides:________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

LOONS-GREBES                                    s       S       F       W

___ Red-throated Loon                           o        -       o       u

___ Common Loon                                 o        r       o       o

___ Pied-billed Grebe                           u        o       u       o

___ Horned Grebe                                u        -       u       u

SHEARWATERS-PELICANS-CORMORANTS                 s        S       F       W

___ Sooty Shearwater                            r        r       -       -

___ Northern Gannet                             r        r       u       -

___ American White Pelican                      r        -       -       r

___ Brown Pelican                               -        u       -       -

___ Great Cormorant                             -        -       -       r

___ Double-crested Cormorant                    u        o       c       u

BITTERNS-HERONS-IBISES                          s        S       F       W

___ American Bittern*                           u        o       u       u

___ Least Bittern*                              u        u       u       -

___ Great Blue Heron*                           c        c       c       u

___ Great Egret*                                c        c       c       o

___ Snowy Egret*                                c        c       c       o

___ Little Blue Heron*                          u        u       u       o

___ Tricolored Heron*                           u        u       u       o

___ Cattle Egret*                               u        u       u       -

___ Green-backed Heron*                         u        u       u       -

___ Black-crowned Night-Heron*                  u        u       u       u

___ Yellow-crowned Night-Heron*                 o        o       o       -

___ White Ibis                                  -        r       r       -

___ Glossy Ibis*                                a        a       o       o

SWANS-GEESE-DUCKS                               s        S       F       W

___ Tundra Swan                                 o        -       u       o

___ Mute Swan*                                  c        c       c       u

___ Greater White-Fronted Goose                 -        -       o       o

___ Snow Goose                                  a        o       a       a

___ Ross' Goose                                 -        -       r       r

___ Brant                                       a        o       c       c

___ Canada Goose*                               c        c       c       c

___ Wood Duck*                                  u        o       u       r

___ Green-winged Teal*                          c        o       a       c

___ American Black Duck*                        a        c       a       a

___ Mallard*                                    c        u       c       o

___ Northern Pintail*                           c        o       a       u

___ Blue-winged Teal*                           c        u       a       o

___ Northern Shoveler*                          c        o       c       c

___ Gadwall*                                    c        c       c       u

___ Eurasian Wigeon                             -        -       r       r

___ American Wigeon                             c        o       c       o

___ Canvasback                                  o        -       o       r

___ Redhead                                     o        -       o       r

___ Ring-necked Duck                            o        -       o       o

___ Greater Scaup                               c        -       c       u

___ Lesser Scaup                                o        -       o       o

___ Oldsquaw                                    u        -       u       u

___ Black Scoter                                u        r       u       u

___ Surf Scoter                                 u        r       o       u

___ White-winged Scoter                         u        r       u       u

___ Common Goldeneye                            u        -       u       u

___ Bufflehead                                  c        o       c       c

___ Hooded Merganser                            c        r       u       u

___ Common Merganser                            o        -       o       o

___ Red-breasted Merganser                      u        r       u       u

___ Ruddy Duck*                                 u        u       u       o

VULTURES-HAWKS-FALCONS                          s        S       F       W

___ Turkey Vulture                              o        o       o       r

___ Osprey*                                     u        u       u       -

___ Bald Eagle                                  o        o       o       o

___ Northern Harrier*                           u        o       u       u

___ Sharp-shinned Hawk                          o        -       u       o

___ Cooper's Hawk                               o        -       o       r

___ Northern Goshawk                            -        -       r       r

___ Red-shouldered Hawk                         o        r       o       r

___ Broad-winged Hawk*                          o        o       o       -

___ Red-tailed Hawk                             o        o       u       o

___ Rough-legged Hawk                           o        -       o       u

___ Golden Eagle                                r        -       r       r

___ American Kestrel*                           u        u       u       o

___ Merlin                                      o        -       u       o

___ Peregrine Falcon*                           u        u       u       u

GROUSE-QUAIL-TURKEY                             s        S       F       W

___ Ring-necked Pheasant                        r        r       r       r

___ Ruffed Grouse*                              o        o       o       o

___ Wild Turkey                                 u        u       u       u

___ Northern Bobwhite*                          u        u       u       u

RAILS-CRANES                                    s        S       F       W

___ Yellow Rail                                 r        r       r       -

___ Black Rail                                  r        r       r       -

___ Clapper Rail*                               c        c       c       o

___ King Rail                                   o        o       o       r

___ Virginia Rail*                              u        u       u       o

___ Sora*                                       u        u       u       r

___ Common Moorhen*                             o        o       o       -

___ American Coot*                              u        o       u       u

PLOVERS-SANDPIPERS                              s        S       F       W

___ Black-bellied Plover                        c        o       c       o

___ American Golden Plover                      r        -       o       -

___ Semipalmated Plover                         u        u       c       r

___ Piping Plover*                              u        u       o       -

___ Killdeer*                                   u        u       u       r

___ American Oystercatcher*                     o        u       u       r

___ Black-necked Stilt                          o        -       o       -

___ American Avocet                             o        o       o       r

___ Greater Yellowlegs                          c        u       c       u

___ Lesser Yellowlegs                           u        o       c       r

___ Solitary Sandpiper                          o        o       o       -

___ Willet*                                     c        a       u       r

___ Spotted Sandpiper*                          u        o       u       -

___ Upland Sandpiper                            -        r       r       -

___ Whimbrel                                    u        o       u       o

___ Hudsonian Godwit                            -        o       o       -

___ Marbled Godwit                              -        o       o       r

___ Ruddy Turnstone                             c        o       c       r

___ Red Knot                                    o        u       u       -

___ Sanderling                                  c        o       c       o

___ Semipalmated Sandpiper                      a        a       a       o

___ Western Sandpiper                           u        u       c       o

___ Least Sandpiper                             a        u       c       o

___ White-rumped Sandpiper                      o        o       o       -

___ Baird's Sandpiper                           -        -       r       -

___ Pectoral Sandpiper                          o        o       u       -

___ Purple Sandpiper                            r        -       r       -

___ Dunlin                                      a        o       a       a

___ Curlew Sandpiper                            r        r       r       -

___ Stilt Sandpiper                             r        u       u       r

___ Buff-breasted Sandpiper                     -        o       o       -

___ Ruff                                        r        r       r       -

___ Short-billed Dowitcher                      c        a       c       -

___ Long-billed Dowitcher                       o        o       u       r

___ Common Snipe                                u        o       u       o

___ American Woodcock*                          u        o       u       o

___ Wilson's Phalarope                          r        o       o       -

___ Red-necked Phalarope                        -        r       o       -

___ Red Phalarope                               r        r       r       -

GULLS-TERNS                                     s        S       F       W

___ Laughing Gull*                              c        a       c       r

___ Common Black-headed Gull                    r        -       r       -

___ Bonaparte's Gull                            o        -       o       o

___ Ring-billed Gull                            c        o       u       c

___ Herring Gull*                               a        a       a       a

___ Iceland Gull                                r        r       -       r

___ Lesser Black-backed Gull                    r        r       r       r

___ Glaucous Gull                               r        -       -       r

___ Great Black-backed Gull*                    c        u       c       c

___ Gull-billed Tern*                           u        u       u       -

___ Caspian Tern                                r        o       o       -

___ Royal Tern                                  o        o       u       -

___ Sandwich Tern                               r        r       r       -

___ Roseate Tern                                o        o       -       -

___ Common Tern*                                c        c       c       -

___ Forster's Tern*                             c        c       c       -

___ Least Tern*                                 c        c       o       -

___ Black Tern                                  -        o       o       -

___ Black Skimmer*                              c        c       c       r

DOVES-OWLS-SWIFTS-HUMMINGBIRD                   s        S       F       W

___ Rock Dove                                   o        o       o       o

___ Mourning Dove*                              c        c       c       c

___ Black-billed Cuckoo*                        o        o       o       -

___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo*                       u        u       u       -

___ Barn Owl*                                   r        o       o       r

___ Eastern Screech-Owl*                        u        u       u       u

___ Great Horned Owl*                           u        u       u       u

___ Snowy Owl                                   -        -       r       r

___ Barred Owl                                  r        r       r       r

___ Short-eared Owl                             u        -       o       o

___ Northern Saw-whet Owl                       r        -       r       r

___ Common Nighthawk                            o        o       u       -

___ Chuck-will's-widow                          u        u       -       -

___ Whip-poor-will*                             u        u       u       -

___ Chimney Swift                               o        o       o       -

___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird                   o        o       o       -

___ Belted Kingfisher*                          o        u       u       o

WOODPECKERS-FLYCATCHERS                         s        S       F       W

___ Red-headed Woodpecker                       -        o       o       -

___ Red-bellied Woodpecker                      o        -       o       o

___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker                    o        -       o       -

___ Downy Woodpecker*                           u        u       u       u

___ Hairy Woodpecker                            o        o       o       o

___ Northern Flicker*                           u        u       c       o

___ Eastern Wood-Pewee*                         o        o       o       -

___ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher                   -        -       r       -

___ Willow Flycatcher                           o        r       r       -

___ Least Flycatcher                            o        -       o       -

___ Eastern Phoebe*                             u        r       u       -

___ Great Crested Flycatcher                    u        u       u       -

___ Western Kingbird                            -        -       r       -

___ Eastern Kingbird*                           u        u       u       -

LARKS-SWALLOWS-JAYS-CROWS                       s        S       F       W

___ Horned Lark*                                u        o       u       u

___ Purple Martin*                              u        u       u       -

___ Tree Swallow*                               c        c       c       o

___ Northern Rough-winged Swallow               o        o       o       -

___ Bank Swallow*                               o        o       o       -

___ Cliff Swallow                               r        -       r       -

___ Barn Swallow*                               c        c       c       -

___ Blue Jay*                                   c        c       c       o

___ American Crow*                              u        o       u       o

___ Fish Crow*                                  c        c       c       o

TITMICE-NUTHATCHES-WRENS                        s        S       F       W

___ Black-capped Chickadee                      r        -       -       r

___ Carolina Chickadee*                         u        u       u       u

___ Tufted Titmouse*                            u        u       u       u

___ Red-breasted Nuthatch                       o        -       o       o

___ White-breasted Nuthatch*                    o        o       o       o

___ Brown Creeper                               o        -       o       o

___ Carolina Wren*                              u        u       u       o

___ House Wren*                                 u        u       u       -

___ Winter Wren                                 r        -       r       r

___ Sedge Wren                                  r        -       r       r

___ Marsh Wren*                                 c        c       c       o

KINGLETS-THRUSHES-THRASHERS                     s        S       F       W

___ Golden-crowned Kinglet                      u        -       u       o

___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet                        o        -       o       o

___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher                       u        o       u       -

___ Eastern Bluebird                            r        r       r       r

___ Veery                                       u        -       o       -

___ Gray-cheeked Thrush                         o        -       o       -

___ Swainson's Thrush                           u        -       o       -

___ Hermit Thrush                               u        -       u       u

___ Wood Thrush*                                u        o       u       -

___ American Robin*                             c        c       c       u

___ Gray Catbird*                               c        c       c       r

___ Northern Mockingbird*                       c        c       c       u

___ Brown Thrasher*                             u        u       u       r

WAXWINGS-SHRIKES-STARLINGS                      s        S       F       W

___ American Pipit                              -        -       o       r

___ Cedar Waxwing                               o        o       o       o

___ Northern Shrike                             r        -       r       r

___ Loggerhead Shrike                           -        -       r       -

___ European Starling*                          a        a       a       o

VIREOS-WOOD WARBLERS                            s        S       F       W

___ White-eyed Vireo*                           u        u       u       -

___ Solitary Vireo                              o        -       o       -

___ Yellow-throated Vireo                       r        -       r       -

___ Philadelphia Vireo                          -        -       o       -

___ Red-eyed Vireo*                             u        u       u       -

___ Blue-winged Warbler                         u        o       u       -

___ Golden-winged Warbler                       r        -       r       -

___ Tennessee Warbler                           o        -       r       -

___ Nashville Warbler                           o        -       r       -

___ Northern Parula                             u        o       u       -

___ Yellow Warbler*                             c        c       u       -

___ Chestnut-sided Warbler                      o        -       o       -

___ Magnolia Warbler                            u        -       u       -

___ Cape May Warbler                            o        -       o       -

___ Black-throated Blue Warbler                 o        -       o       -

___ Yellow-rumped Warbler                       c        -       c       u

___ Black-throated Green Warbler                o        -       o       -

___ Blackburnian Warbler                        u        -       o       -

___ Yellow-throated Warbler                     r        -       -       -

___ Pine Warbler*                               u        u       u       r

___ Prairie Warbler                             c        u       c       -

___ Palm Warbler                                o        -       o       o

___ Bay-breasted Warbler                        o        -       o       -

___ Blackpoll Warbler                           c        -       c       -

___ Cerulean Warbler                            r        -       -       -

___ Black-and-white Warbler*                    c        o       c       -

___ American Redstart                           u        -       u       -

___ Prothonotary Warbler                        r        -       -       -

___ Worm-eating Warbler                         r        -       r       -

___ Ovenbird*                                   u        u       u       -

___ Northern Waterthrush                        u        -       u       -

___ Connecticut Warbler                         r        -       r       -

___ Mourning Warbler                            r        -       r       -

___ Common Yellowthroat*                        c        c       c       r

___ Hooded Warbler*                             o        o       o       -

___ Wilson's Warbler                            o        -       o       -

___ Canada Warbler                              u        -       u       -

___ Yellow-breasted Chat*                       o        o       o       -

TANAGERS-SPARROWS                               s        S       F       W

___ Summer Tanager                              r        -       -       -

___ Scarlet Tanager*                            u        u       o       -

___ Northern Cardinal*                          c        c       c       c

___ Rose-breasted Grosbeak                      o        -       r       -

___ Blue Grosbeak                               o        o       o       -

___ Indigo Bunting*                             o        o       o       -

___ Dickcissel                                  -        -       -       r

___ Rufous-sided Towhee*                        u        u       u       o

___ American Tree Sparrow                       u        -       -       u

___ Chipping Sparrow*                           u        u       u       -

___ Field Sparrow                               u        u       u       u

___ Vesper Sparrow                              r        -       r       -

___ Lark Sparrow                                -        -       r       -

___ Savannah Sparrow                            c        -       c       o

___ Grasshopper Sparrow*                        o        o       o       -

___ Sharp-tailed Sparrow*                       c        c       c       o

___ Seaside Sparrow*                            c        c       c       o

___ Fox Sparrow                                 o        -       o       o

___ Song Sparrow*                               c        c       c       c

___ Swamp Sparrow*                              c        c       u       u

___ White-throated Sparrow                      c        -       c       c

___ White-crowned Sparrow                       o        r       o       r

___ Dark-eyed Junco                             c        -       c       u

___ Lapland Longspur                            r        -       -       r

___ Snow Bunting                                o        -       r       o

BLACKBIRDS-FINCHES                              s        S       F       W

___ Bobolink                                    o        o       u       -

___ Red-winged Blackbird*                       a        a       a       u

___ Eastern Meadowlark*                         u        u       u       u

___ Yellow-headed Blackbird                     -        r       r       -

___ Rusty Blackbird                             r        -       r       -

___ Boat-tailed Grackle*                        u        u       u       -

___ Common Grackle*                             c        c       c       o

___ Brown-headed Cowbird*                       c        c       c       o

___ Orchard Oriole*                             o        o       r       -

___ Northern Oriole                             u        o       o       -

___ Purple Finch                                o        -       o       o

___ House Finch*                                o        o       o       o

___ Common Redpoll                              -        -       -       r

___ Pine Siskin                                 o        -       o       o

___ American Goldfinch*                         u        u       u       u

___ Evening Grosbeak                            o        -       o       o

___ House Sparrow*                              c        c       c       c

Please report any sightings of birds which are not included in this list.

This resource should be cited as:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Birds of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge,
New Jersey. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Unpaginated.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/chekbird/r5/forsythe.htm (Version 1996).