River of Biodiversity

There is a plan to construct a landfill in Carteret, NJ by a Maryland firm, Soil Safe. The operation, if permitted, will bring in over two million tons of contaminated “fill”, including oil and PCB tainted material, into and through Middlesex and Union Counties.

The east edge of the Arch property is one of the most scenic and secluded spots in NE NJ. Many uncommon species of animals frequent this quiet area on Deep Creek, Carteret.

The project is proposed for an ~ 100 acre property on the banks of the lower Rahway River. The area possesses significant wildlife and recreational value; the property is recommended for preservation, trails and public access in multiple greenway plans. The lower Rahway River is the longest, unbridged, rivermouth ecosystem in the northern half of NJ; this regionally significant openspace is bordered by marshes interspersed with tidal creeks.

N end of the Arch property looking towards Linden.

The property lies in the river floodplain, on a large curve or arch of the lower river. If filled the property will impede river flow affecting upstream communities. Recent storms have caused hundreds of millions of dollars of flood damage in the watershed.

Black Skimmers are frequently seen on and near the Arch property; they are a NJ Endangered species in all seasons. Below are pictures of the species feeding on the edge of the subject property.

Black Skimmer feeding in the Rahway River right along the N edge of the Arch property. Skimmers have also been seen flying into, and evidently feeding and roosting on the Arch properties large ponds.

There are several designations that a bird species can formally receive under state and federal regulations or protection programs if officially documented on a property in New Jersey and other states. These different classifications vary in their potential formal habitat protection utility, ranging from complicating, reducing, or stopping a proposed project to just being an advisory to all entities to not destroy or alter the pertinent habitat.

Landowners, agencies, governments, and members of the public have a shared responsibility to protect and maintain fish and wildlife resources for present and future generations; the information contained in this document is intended to assist all entities in this endeavor.

The Arch property in the backgound as viewed looking to the NE from I Port 12, Carteret.

Highlights of uncommon to rare species observed on or near the Arch property are Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Harrier, Black Skimmer,Least Tern, Bald Eagle, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Barn Owl, Common Nighthawk, Seaside Sparrow, Glossy Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Willet, Willow Flycatcher and many more . Of note are the resident Diamondback Terrapins; this is one of their last strongholds in the area.

The classified list of species found or suspected on a property is data that can be properly and rightfully used to exert a reasonable call for action from citizens, civil servants, and the antagonists and potential proponents of a for-profit project. Proposed commercial projects that can or will damage the collective, societal value of our remaining open space, with their family centric, recreational and wildlife assets denied for all future generations, should be carefully reviewed by all involved.

The lower Rahway River is the longest, unbridged rivermouth ecosystem in the Northern half of NJ. Canoe trips and visits into the lower river are very enjoyable; the adventure is accesible to hundreds of thousands of people. The area possesses substantial viewscapes and ecological assets; the subject property is right in the middle of a ~ 400 acre area that is pivotal for a comprehensive, public greenway.

Heron on the river; it is a NJ Threatened speces that uses the property.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron on the lower Rahway River, on the edge of the Arch property.

Black-crowned Night-Herons are a NJ Threatened species often seen on the Arch property.

Heron at sunset flying N out of Arch area along the river.

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Northern Harriers are a NJ Endangered species; the pair using the subject property recently are likely the last pair in either Union or Middlesex Counties. There are only a few pairs left in the metroarea.

Northern Harrier, from a distance over the Arch property; Staten Island in the distance.

Osprey platform with Arch property stretching N to S
in the background.

Osprey on the same nest box from the prior picture; it is a NJ Threatened species. The Arch property is a much better location than this platform's that was placed within 30 yards of a road used by large trucks.

Osprey with a fish heading east to land on the Arch property, Carteret on the river.

A conservation initiative or presentation that comprehensively lists all the species meeting one or more of the formal designations is often the most effective way to galvanize stakeholders to act on a project and impede habitat destruction if appropriate. Results can be maximized if one summates the uncommon species which will need to be addressed or sometimes wrongly ignored in the permit request process.

Pied-billed Grebe is an extremely rare breeder in NJ. There may be only 1-3 pairs, total in both counties. The species is on the NJ Endangered list and SC, Special Concern list, in the non-breeding season. It has been seen in all seasons in the lower Rahway River. During the breeding date range, birds have been seen on the western portions of the Arch property on Cross Creek, Rahway River in Carteret.

Pied-billed Grebe that swam out of the edges of the Arch property

Pied-billed Grebe near edge of Arch property.

Government officials, planning boards, the citizenry, landowners, stakeholders, etc., that dismiss the presence of T and E species adversely affect an area’s quality of life. Those habitually ignoring advisory species’ designations should not be surprised by the results. As already limited open space is destroyed, additional species on the priority and advisory lists will be elevated to Threatened and Endangered status making it much more difficult for further development of remaining open space while damaging the recreational opportunities of our communities forever.

Indigo Bunting breeds on the Arch property; it is a Regional Priority species.

Terrapins have been observed all along the edges of the Arch property; as a NJ Special Concern species there habitat should be protected.

“To those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless waste; to others, the most valuable part.”

ALDO LEOPOLD, A Sand County Almanac: With Other Essays on Conservation from Round River

The Arch property in fall.

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

"Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed. It is a many faceted
treasure, of value to scholars, scientists, and nature lovers alike, and it forms a vital part of the heritage we all share as Americans.”

PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON—Statement upon signing the Endangered Species Act. December 28, 1973

The following is a species overview of the Arch Project area in Carteret, NJ. The table organizes all the different designations that have been chosen at
this time. There are additional designations under other programs but space is limited. In future articles a species by species account may be presented.

Government officials and the for-profit partners for this proposed project are responsible to research the missing/unknown presence data in this table by
contracting independent consultants experienced in environmental assessment.

These observations were made over several years and all seasons by a few citizens and scientists. Historical literature and sources such as New Jersey

Audubon’s New Jersey Bird Records, NJ Birds internet list serve (Princeton U.) , etc. will provide additional data not in this article or in the NJDEP
records.

Table Abbreviations and Explanations:

NJ or Federal Endangered A species that is in danger of becoming extinct in the state or US; its habitat is protected.

NJ Threatened A species that is in danger of becoming endangered in the state. Its breeding habitat is protected and depending on species, its non-breeding habitat.

SC - Special Concern A NJ species whose habitat should be protected to help prevent the species from being elevated to the Threatened or Endangered categories at further cost to the citizenry. Most T and E (Threatened and Endangered) species that are listed as such only if breeding in the area, but are only seen outside the published breeding dates are then considered a Special Concern (SC) species sighting.

BCC and RP species Birds of Conservation Concern and Regional Priority species list endorsed by federal and NJ state governments and departments to receive program attention and habitat protection consideration. BCC and RP species are declining and further habitat losses should be considered by planning boards prior to project
approval.

Breeding or Non-breeding (BR or NB) A species may be sighted during its breeding season or outside the breeding season. Each species has its own set of “safe dates” (accepted breeding date range). Some species' habitat receives a level of protection whenever they are sighted while some species' habitat is considered stable in the NB season. A species can have different levels of protection depending on the date of the sighting.

BR-breeding A category that a sighting in the breeding season for that species would fall into. Some specie’s presence in the breeding season connotes a level of protection to an area.

NB – non-breeding A category that a sighting outside the breeding season for that species would fall into. Some specie’s presence connotes a level of protection to an area,
even if seen outside of the breeding season (BR) but in the non-breeding season (NB). An NB in the Special Concern column means the species is present onthe subject property in the non-breeding season and it’s recommended to preserve the subject property.

X, NB, SC - Present An X, NB or SC means that the species has been viewed or heard on or within 100 meters of the subject property. “Viewed” is a sighting of a species perched on, landing on, or flying very low (less than 100 meters high) over the subject property.

? – Possibly present ? indicates that the species needs further data since it may be on the property or in the immediate area.

NA - not applicable NA means that a particular species does not breed in any part of NJ but its migration or wintering habitat in NJ needs protection (nonbreeding habitat, NB, should be protected).

NO – no Not found breeding or the non-breeding habitat is not protected. If a species non breeding (NB) habitat is not protected or recommended for protection the respective half column will show/NO.

STABLE Means the non-breeding habitat of this species is presently sufficient.

Table Explanations: Some NJ T and E species have been seen in the breeding and/or in the non-breeding season. Some T and E sightings outside the breeding season on the Arch are SC sightings, while some may be T or E sightings.

The species sighted in the area (X in the table) have been seen by F. Virrazzi (the author) and others. He is an experienced zoologist who lived in Carteret for 15 years and spent hundreds of hours recreating, formally surveying and canoeing the lower Rahway River.

The ? status means exact presence data is unclear to the author, F. Virrazzi; it is possible to likely the species utilizes the property, including any seasonal ponds, intertidal mud flats and marsh area on or adjacent to the subject property. Additional biological field work is needed if development of an area is proposed.
A literature search may elevate the unknown status (?)of a species to present,(X), but that research has not been done.

SPECIES	FEDERAL PROPOSED Threatened	NJ STATE ENDANGERED BREEDING/NB	NJ STATE THREATENED BREEDING/NB	NJ SPECIAL CONCERN BREED/NB	Birds of Conservation Concern (USFWS)	REGIONAL PRIORITY SPECIES
Red Knot	X?	NA/X?			X?	X?
Peregrine Falcon		X/SC		X/NB	X
Pied-billed Grebe		X/SC		X/NB	X	X
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron			X/X			X
Black-crowned Night-Heron			X/SC	X NB		X
American Kestrel			X?/X
Osprey			X/NO
Northern Harrier		X/SC		X NB
Savannah Sparrow			X?/NO
Black Skimmer		X/X			X	X
Least Tern		X/X			X	X
American Oyster-catcher				SC?/SC?	X?	X?
Bald Eagle			NO/X *		X
Barn Owl				SC/SC
Bobolink				SC?/SC		X
Brown Thrasher				SC/STABLE		X
Common Nighthawk				SC/SC
Eastern Meadowlark				SC?/SC		X
Glossy Ibis				SC/STABLE		X
Ispwich Sparrow				NA/SC?
Least Bittern				SC?/SC?	X?	X?
Semipal-mated Sandpiper				NA/SC	X	X
Sharp-shinned Hawk				NO/SC		X
Short-eared Owl				NO/SC	X	X
Snowy Egret				SC/STABLE	X	X
Spotted Sandpiper				SC/STABLE
Yellow-breasted Chat				SC?/STABLE		X?
Eastern Box Turtle				SC?
N. Diamond-back Terrapin				SC **
Red-throated Loon					X?
Horned Grebe					X?
Solitary Sandpiper					X
Lesser Yellowlegs					X
Short-billed Dowitcher					X
Prairie Warbler					X	X
Seaside Sparrow					X	X
Rusty Blackbird					X?***
Baltimore Oriole						X
Canada Warbler						X?
Chimney Swift						X
Eastern Kingbird						X
Field Sparrow						X
Forster’s Tern						X
Gray Catbird						X
Great Egret						X
Great Blue Heron						X
Green Heron						X
Greater Yellowlegs						X
Indigo Bunting						X
Marsh Wren						X
Northern Flicker						X
Willet						X
Willow Flycatcher						X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo						X

* Present some falls and/or winters
** Game - A status review has been completed during which an imperiled status of Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern was recommended; but because
the species is considered a game species (the hunting season may or may not be closed), it does not receive an official imperiled designation. Examples
within this category include the Dusky Shark, King Rail, Northern Bobwhite, and Northern Diamondback Terrapin.
***Rusty Blackbirds have been seen in the lower Rahway River and likely migrate through the Arch property.

Kayaking and canoing are enjoyable on the lower Rahway; the Arch property is in the background.

Summary of Table on Rare Animals of the Arch Property:

There are 5 NJ Endangered species that have been seen recently on or near the Arch property during the breeding season: Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed
Grebe, Northern Harrier, Black Skimmer and Least Tern.

There are 3 NJ Threatened species that have been seen recently on or near the Arch property during the breeding season: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron,
Black-crowned Night-Heron and Osprey. Bald Eagles are a Threatened species that visits the area mainly in the fall and winter. Two more T and E species
are hypothetically utilizing the property: American Kestrel and Savannah Sparrow. There is one proposed Federal Threatened species that may be infrequently
visiting the property edges during migration when its habitat would be protected in the US: Red Knot.

There are 16 NJ Special Concern species that have been seen recently on or near the Arch property during the appropriate seasons. Five more Special Concern
species are hypothetically utilizing the property. The table above shows the species. Of highest interest are NE NJ’s last nesting Barn Owls, Common
Nighthawks and Seaside Sparrows. The area supports breeding season foraging of Glossy Ibis and Snowy Egrets. Of note are the breeding Diamondback
Terrapins; our field surveys indicate that only a few adult females survive on the Rahway River. The Arch property may be pivotal as a nesting area.

Migratory and wintering Special Concern species of note are Pied-billed Grebe, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Northern Harrier, Barn Owl, Common Nighthawk,
Eastern Meadowlark, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Short-eared Owl.

There are 12 species of Birds of Conservation Concern (USFWS) that have been seen recently on or near the Arch property during the appropriate seasons. Six
more species of Birds of Conservation Concern (USFWS) are hypothetically utilizing the property. The table above shows the species.

There are 31 Regional Priority species that have been seen recently on or near the Arch property during the appropriate seasons. Five more Regional
Priority species are hypothetically utilizing the property. The table above shows the species.

The Rahway River Association meeting with the river and the Arch property viewable on the left-center.

The Rahway River Association and National Biodiversity Parks. Inc. have supported the studies of the lower Rahway River. Both non-profit, conservation organizations' Board or Trustees have approved this article.

Thank You for Your Support of The Rahway River!

Dave Schwartzberg
Fred Virrazzi
Dr. Emile DeVito
Joe Ortuso
Diane Deprizio

RRA and NBP thanks the author and all those in both organizations that spent the many days and some nights, over several years, to observe the subject species.

All photopgraphs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, to one or more of the following: Blaine Rothauser, Scott Elowitz, Neil Nappi, Fred Virrazzi, National Biodiversity Parks, Inc, or Rahway River Association.

Sunrise over the Arch property with Staten Island in the background; view from the NJ Turnpike looking east.

There are four major creeks that branch off the lower Rahway River; two of them straddle the edges of the Arch property. The river and its smaller channels are integral to the natural drainage of the watershed. The creeks support healthy fish and wildlife populations and provide recreational value to our citizens.

I joined another New Jersey birder from Friday 2/1 to Tuesday 2/5 for a try at several bird species in S FL. A relatively leisurely expedition that escaped the NJ cold and brought me closer to 800 species in the NA ABA region was expected. He left early on Sunday, Feb 3. The main target species successfully found were, Western Spindalis and La Sagra's Flycatcher (below).......however..........

While there a possible Caribbean Martin was reported, causing contemplation of a scramble down three counties and the keys; I was fortunate to get several sky photos of the subject martin, or less likely a different, odd bird. Carribean Martin, if accepted by the Florida OS, would be new species for North America!

The original plan was to see a few life species in the first days and later inquire about the S FL python situation, an ecological concern, and any recent, possible Ivory-billed Woodpecker sightings in the Big Cypress area. Tanner's thesis and Bob Russell's short work both rate this area highly. It has not been covered well by any modern, experienced Ivory-billed searchers as far as I know; although Cornell visited at least the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve with some odd, additional effort in the mangroves. NBP has not be able to find any Ivory-billeds S of the Florida Panhandle however we have spent less time in S FL than other SE US areas. More on all this later.

As often occurs on these trips, the unexpected should be expected. On Sunday early PM a text was received about a vague report of a Caribbean or Cuban Martin at Zachary Taylor Park, Key West. I was pursuing the La Sagra's Flycatcher at Green Cay Wetlands, counties away from the martin; this would be quite a dash with a Super Bowl intertwined. To make the drive more compressed, I lingered at the wetlands until 5 PM as the general photography was good and the La Sagra's was shy.

Zachary Taylor Park, Key West FL was where the second, first record of Loggerhead Kingbird for North America showed for us in 2007. Say what? It's the second first, because the first first record was eventually struck down. Loggerhead Kingbird, Tyrannus caudifasciatus, originally was on the Florida and NA lists via a bird photographed at Islamorada, 12/71–1/72; accepted by Robertson and Woolfenden in Birds of Florida, as were three other photographs from the 1970s. The first bird was judged a Giant Kingbird by James Bond, Birds of the West Indies, (in litt., cited from Stevenson and Anderson 1994). In 2000 Smith et.al., reviewed the records of the Loggerhead Kingbird from Florida, and he determined that none of the records were detailed enough to determine species. The Florida State Records Committee removed Loggerhead Kingbird from their official list in 2003 as did the AOU Checklist Committee in 2002 and the ABA's CLC in 2002.

This bird called to be added back to the NA ABA list in 2007:

Well I made it through S Florida and the keys and saw most of the Super Bowl when the lights were on; surprisingly only one other birder trickled in during the time I was there (0800 to 1135 Monday, AM) despite this being a potential mega-tick. My first impression of this bird was---"That's a Different Hirundinidae Than Usual But its Not a Bull".

Here are some heavily cropped pictures followed by my description and write up from my field notes taken the day of the sightings (2/4/13).

There are several more distant pictures, like these, from various angles, if needed.

Field Notes on the Martin: (transcribed and expanded from handwritten notes of 2/4/13)

Bird shorter than Purple Martins when concurrently together in immediate sky; appeared relatively more compact and wider bodied than PUMAs especially in chest. Glided much more than PUMAs; in general seemed less maneuverable or acrobatic on this day from PUMAs. Winds were from NNE at 5 to 8 mph. Bird never appeared to have same giss as PUMA; more swallow-like body, compact, less attenuated in shape than the martin I am most familiar with (Purple); again meaning this bird was not as slender. Bird did not frequently fully extend wings IMHO, making it appear more swallow like than PUMA. Did not hear any calling although it may have been (wind, distractions, distance, short duration of appearances).  Tail was moderately forked when not fanned; when completely fanned the terminal end formed a slightly convex line. The bird was never seen or photographed from less than 40-75 yards away.

While the two adult PUMAs appeared periodically and almost always together approx. 15 times in the 4 hours I was there, the subject bird was infrequently in the same immediate sky and was never flying purposely with these two PUMAs. The bird was a loner; a singleton. It was only in my view from the eastern, elongated, parking lot ~ 3 times in the 4 hours plus I was there. It showed for ~ 1 minute each time and then wandered off to the NW. It was only later in the AM that I realized the fort top was open for possible closer viewing but I could not locate the bird when up there after 11. The water around the fort may have been the source of flying insects that periodically attracted it.

Note that in direct, bright AM sunlight the bird appeared at times buffy brown and warmer in throat and head than is shown in some pictures. Another possibility is that there was a female martin that appeared ( a second bird). If only one bird, this buffiness may have been more a function of light reflection or base feather color than actual distal feather color. The head feather color appearance was perhaps a result of some feathers being dark brown or blue black and some feathers being all or partly lighter brown. The remiges and tail were in general darker than the rest of the body. I had no books of any type although a later arriving birder (Nancy Glickman) had an Eastern US guide which I used to confirm the elimination of Rough-winged Swallow via moderately forked tail and darker dorsal body/wing/tail and ventral wing/upper chest color; although the head/throat color periodically suggested a warm Rough-winged when direct sunlight was perpendicularly on the bird.  The bird appeared to not be an adult male or adult female ASSUMING AT THE TIME that these age classes had to have a very dark blue or blue-black head in winter.

Color of dorsal, side and entire head seemed a uniform dark to medium blue brown or gray brown rather than any dark blue or black that may be in various age classes. The dorsal wings (which I may have a picture of) was generally darker than the head but was still suggesting dark brown rather than any dark blue or black that may be in various age classes of this species.

I never saw any of the pictures of the bird from 2/3 taken by others and was not aware of the exact plumage variations, any sexual dimorphism or exact characteristics of this species while in the field.  Zeiss 10X bins were used; light conditions were sunny/bright. 60 to 70 degrees, winds from NNE. Most pictures taken at 20 to 45 degrees up, to the W, NW or SW. I have ~ 25 pictures.

More to come in final transfer of notes/words. I also must check again to see if I filmed this bird; battery power was low and bird disappeared quickly.
__------ ----------____---

(Upon home review of 2/3 pictures taken by others I believe the bird above (2/4) is very likely the same bird seen on 2/3. If so some of the 2/3 pictures seem to darken some of the ventral and the head of the bird due to body shadowing or back lit conditions compared to my pictures. I assume some of the the 2/3 pics were taken in less direct light on viewable surface than 2/4 and/or the 2/3 bird was back lit a bit. The relative direction of the sun to the bird may be enough to explain the differences. The 2/3 bird may have been photographed to the east of camera if in the AM while my bird was taken to the west on 2/4 AM.

Perhaps specific knowledge of the Caribbean martin species', molt, aging and sexual dimorphism will clinch this ID. If not a literature review and/or a museum visit may better explain these pictures as far as species, sex and age.

Pictures of Western Spindalis, La Sagra's Flycatcher and more to come.