Common Hackberry
Identifying a tree just by its bark can be difficult, but there is one tree that has very distinctive bark - the Common Hackberry. This native tree has a mixture of smooth gray bark with deep ridges and develops warty bumps as it ages. Some other names that the hackberry goes by are beaverwood, sugarberry, nettle tree, and northern/American hackberry.
Pictured in the second image are green berries that will eventually turn a purplish red color and become very sweet when ripe in the early fall. They are an important food source in the winter for many species, ranging from caterpillars to migrating birds like cedar waxwings. You can visit the pictured hackberry at
Huber Woods Park, Middletown, outside the Environmental Center. Be sure to stop in and say hi to the staff! (posted 6/1/2023)
Great Horned Owl Rescue
Recently, a Great Horned Owl pair built a nest on the Cove Trail at
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, in a pitch pine and had at least one egg hatched. The hatchling was observed by Park System Naturalists and birders for several weeks. Approximately five weeks after hatching, the fledgling began the process of “branching,” where it moves to branches near the nest and practices flying.
On May 5, 2023, several park patrons noticed that the fledgling was on the ground near the nest. Normally, this is not unusual. As a young owl starts flying, at 9-10 weeks old, it's often on the ground while still being cared for by the parents. However, park patrons were concerned that this young owl may have been injured and notified Park System Rangers and Naturalists and Dr. Jennifer Mei-An Raicer, DVM, a local veterinarian who volunteers with local wildlife rehabilitators.
On the advice of Donald Bonica, a well-known raptor rehabilitator, Dr. Raicer met Park System staff at the nest site. After evaluating the situation, including its proximity to the trail and risk of disturbance, a decision was made to transport the owl to the Toms River Avian Care facility. With the assistance of Park Ranger Cory Krieger, Dr. Raicer caught the owl for transport.
At the facility, the fledgling will be fostered by an adult female Great Horned Owl. This adult owl, who cannot be released, acts as a foster mother for several young owls. After a few weeks of learning to fly and hunt, the young owl will be released. (posted 5/11/2023)
Wool Sower Gall Wasps
Galls are abnormal plant growths created by insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses. They can be caused by feeding or by egg-laying of insects and mites. The numbers of galls vary from season to season and, surprisingly, insect galls rarely affect the plant’s health. Depending on what makes it, galls come in many types and forms. Some are brown paper-like balls, fuzzy flower-like formations, or even spindle shaped. They can be found on tree trunks, branches, twigs and leaves.
Wool Sower Gall Wasps (Callirhytis seminator) have a complex life cycle in which they create different types of galls in alternating generations. The first wasps that emerge will lay eggs and create a leaf gall. Once those wasps develop, they will in turn lay their eggs on a white oak twig and create a new stem gall, as seen in the above picture. This specific gall is only found in the spring.
Inside are small seed-like structures in which the larvae will develop. Nicknamed “a toasted marshmallow,” this puffy ball found on the tips of white oak twigs is essentially an insect nursery for the Wool Sower Wasp. For the developing wasp grubs inside, the inner tissue of the gall provides tasty nutrients as well as a safe protective environment to live in until they reach their adult stage.
Adult wasps are about 1/8 inch long, dark brown and have flattened abdomens from side to side. Unlike other insects, these wasps do not bite or sting, and pose no threat to humans. (posted 5/2/2023)
Solitary Sandpiper
Though the weather has kept human park visitors off the trails, some of our wildlife visitors have enjoyed the rain. This migrating solitary sandpiper took a pit stop along a trail in a saturated field at
Thompson Park, Lincroft, to forage for bugs. (posted 5/2/2023)
Poison ivy is a plant with a notorious reputation and for good reason. All parts of the plant – the leaves, stems, and roots – contain urushiol. Urushiol is the chemical that causes the well-known allergic reaction of an itchy rash, but don’t let this prevent you from enjoying the great outdoors.
With appropriate identification, you can enjoy all that the trails have to offer without the worry of finding yourself in an itchy situation. As seen in this picture, poison ivy has three leaves, although more appropriately described as three leaflets. The edges of the poison ivy leaflets are key in correctly identifying the plant. Often, one edge of each leaflet will have a jagged edge while the opposite edge is either smooth or just barely jagged. Leaf color can vary as some leaves will be glossy while others are dull.
Additionally, the plant can be identified by the way it is growing. Poison ivy is a climbing vine that grows up trees and spreads across the forest floor. Lastly, poison ivy grows in many different environments. We see this plant growing at the beach, in our backyards, and even in our cities. As the saying goes, “leaves of three, let it be.” (posted 5/1/2023)
British Solider Lichen
Pictured above is British solider lichen, Cladonia cristatella, named after the red structures at the ends of the green/greyish branches, which resemble red-capped soldiers. The cap is called an apothecium and contains spore-producing reproductive parts. Lichen won’t get that scarlet cap until it’s at least four years old.
Lichen is composed of two different organisms - algae and fungus - living in symbiosis. Both need each other to survive. The fungus provides minerals and a structure, and the algae photosynthesizes to make food to share.
Lichen grows in a variety of habitats but most are found on trees, exposed rock surfaces, or dead wood like this fence at
Huber Woods Park, Middletown. (posted 4/28/2023)
Foamflower
This spring bloomer made a surprise appearance on this week’s
Spring Wildflower Hike at
Clayton Park, Upper Freehold.
Tiarella cordifolia, commonly known as Foamflower, is a low-growing perennial which sends up a lovely white flower in spring. This plant, like many other woodland bloomers, takes advantage of all the sunlight hitting the ground floor before all of the canopy trees fully leaf out. Bees and other pollinators consider this plant a valuable source of early season nectar.
Consider growing this native plant at home in your shadier areas. It can spread and act as a nice ground cover, although be aware the deer have been noted to enjoy the plants as well. Happy Spring! (posted 4/20/2023)
Early Spring Frogs Calling
Spring Peeper
Wood Frog
Spring is in the air and so are the calls of wood frogs, spring peepers, and New Jersey chorus frogs. These amphibians usually begin calling in mid-March, but New Jersey chorus frogs may call as early as February.
Wood frogs breed only in vernal wetlands, temporary wetlands that form from spring rains and snow, and are vital to several amphibian species. Spring peepers can also be heard calling from vernal wetlands, but they are not particular and will use any body of freshwater to breed.
These frogs each have their own call. The call of the wood frog is a duck-like quacking while tiny spring peepers, as their name implies, peep loudly. The New Jersey chorus frogs have repeated creaking sound like fingernails on a comb. (posted 3/30/2023)
Grape Hyacinths
Spring is in full force throughout our parks. Our resident birds are returning and so many of our spring flowers are in bloom. One small but beautiful perennial is the muscari, commonly known as grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum). They grow to be about 6-9” tall and look like mini clusters of cobalt blue bells that give off a grape juice fragrance.
Muscari contain anthocyanins, pigments responsible for blue, red, and purple fruits and vegetables. When this pigment is extracted, normally from boiling, it can be used as a pH indicator and makes for a fun at home science experiment. The pigment will either turn pink when exposed to an acid like lemon juice or blue-green when exposed to a base like baking soda. A common vegetable that you can try this with is a red cabbage, and when you’re done, it can be used as a natural dye! (posted 3/28/2023)
Garter Snake
This garter snake (
Thamnophis sirtalis) was enjoying the beautiful spring weather as it was seen sunning itself just off trail at the
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. The garter snake is one of the smaller snakes we find in Monmouth County, growing to be around 20-30 inches.
Although small, this snake has an excellent way to deter predators from making it their next meal. Whenever a garter snake feels threatened, it will emit a foul-smelling musk. This defense mechanism comes in handy as the garter snake is prey for many animals such as hawks, crows, foxes, raccoons and, even, bullfrogs. As you can see pictured above, this snake has excellent camouflage, which only adds to its ability to escape predation. (posted 3/28/2023)
Spring Beauty
Now that spring is officially here, we welcome back a classic ephemeral flower, Spring Beauty, Claytonia virginica. As you walk among trees with dappled light, keep your eyes towards the ground as these flowers rarely get taller than six inches. The five petals can range in color from white to a soft pink. The bloom period usually lasts about a month, and by late spring these plants will go dormant until next year.
Spring Beauty is a vital source of pollen and nectar for insects emerging this time of year. Both native bees and flies are frequent visitors to this flower. One specialist bee, the Spring Beauty Miner Bee Andrena erigeniae requires the Spring Beauty’s pollen to feed its young. Without this flower, the Spring Beauty Miner Bee cannot exist. This story of connection is just one of thousands happening all around us, some of which are yet to be discovered! (posted 3/27/2023)
Red Maple
It’s officially time to slow down our busy lives and admire the spring blossoms. Pictured above, Red Maple
Acer rubrum is one of the earliest trees to blossom every spring. Each reddish flower is roughly just a quarter-inch in size, often growing in clusters of same sex flowers.
Pictured here are male flowers, which can be identified by the narrow stamens and yellow anthers on the tips. As a pollinator rubs against the anthers, pollen is transported via that animal’s body to a female flower, where fertilization can take place. In exchange, the pollinator is treated to a rewarding sip of nectar. Red Maples typically prefer moist soils, growing near streams, ponds, and other low lying areas. Fun fact- while Sugar Maples get all the attention, Red Maple trees can be tapped for syrup. You’ll just need a larger quantity of sap to make the syrup overall. People aren’t the only ones to enjoy this sweet treat, wildlife including Woodpeckers will peck into maples to sip it up. (posted 3/21/2023)
Snowdrops
There is nothing more delightful than the reawakening of life during a time of year where the landscape is still quite barren. Seen as early as late January, snowdrops are surely a welcome sight. With their blooms, they bring a feeling of hope and promise of spring. Native to Europe and the Middle East, snowdrops are very popular in the northern United States and have naturalized widely. As this plant prefers winter sun and summer shade, it does particularly well under deciduous trees. They have become an integrated part of our ecosystem and can be found carpeting the forest floor or sprinkled throughout the landscape. This particular plant was seen at the Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown, but can also be seen along the Perimeter Trail at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. (posted 2/23/2023)
What’s That Smell?
Looks like spring may be coming early, which is the opposite of what some of our famous prognosticating rodents have predicted. Pictured here is the flower bud of an eastern skunk cabbage plant. It gets its name from the unpleasant “skunk” scent that it emits to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flies. Usually found in moist habitats like swamps, wetlands, and alongside streams, this one was spotted in the Timalot section at Huber Woods Park. It’s one of the first native perennials to bloom in early spring and can emerge as early as February. Although it has been unseasonably warm this winter, cold is not a problem for skunk cabbage. It is one of the few plants that can exhibit thermogenesis, the ability to generate heat. It can warm up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, melting any surrounding snow or frost. (posted 2/17/2023)
Huber Woods Park - Forestry Mowing
If you visit Huber Woods Park, you may notice portions of the tree line appear quite differently. This is the result of forestry mowing, the first step in the Park System’s initiative to reduce the ecological toll brought about by invasive plants. Throughout the Garden State, wild spaces are under siege by aggressively spreading nonnative plant species, and the Monmouth County Parks are no different. Following the forest mowing stage, carefully planned herbicide applications and plantings of native species will ensure a healthy ecosystem in years to come.
There are multiple factors at play, all of which align to give invasive species a competitive edge over our native ones. Many of the invasive plants in New Jersey originate from regions of Europe and Asia with very similar climates. However, these plants have made their way overseas without any of their respective herbivores to keep their populations low. Deer herbivory also plays a role, as these plant eaters highly value native plants as opposed to unfamiliar invasives. Additionally, research shows that prior land use and the mistreatment of soils play major roles in facilitating the establishment of invasive plants.
Pictured above are the invasive species Porcelainberry, Multiflora Rose, and Mugwort. Together they work to outcompete native plants, creating large swaths of low biodiverse terrain. While invasive species may look pretty, they provide little to no benefits to local ecosystems. For example, our specialist pollinators cannot use the pollen, nor can our butterflies use them as host plants.
While all of this may seem daunting, with vigilance and hard work we can promote a healthy ecosystem with a robust biodiversity. For more information about the Park System’s efforts in Huber Woods Park and other Park System sites, please call 732-842-4000, ext. 4258. (posted 2/15/2023)
Holding On Through Winter
Fastidious lawn rakers may be frustrated by deciduous trees that hold onto some of their dried, brown leaves only to drop them closer to spring, but leaves left hanging throughout the winter may serve a purpose or two. Marcescence is the name for this phenomenon, and beeches and oaks are tree species that commonly exhibit it. One theory for dead leaves that persist through winter is that they discourage browsing animals, like deer, from dining on tender branch tips. Another theory for marcescence: leaves that remain to fall off in the spring help to fertilize the ground and retain ground moisture during the warm growing season.
Park System Naturalist Sue Fertig showing marcescent beech leaves to young patron at Freneau Woods Park on 1/1/2023.
Marcescent leaves on oak tree, Hartshorne Woods Park, 1/14/2023
American beech tree with marcescent leaves, Huber Woods Park, 1/27/2023
Look carefully because a few of those hanging winter leaves may be hiding overwintering insects. The cocoons of the Promethea Moth (
Callosamia promethea) pictured below are examples of this leafy disguise. In the fall, the caterpillar of the Promethea, spins its cocoon within a leaf that it has secured to the twig with strong silk threads. If the cocoon is not snatched up by an observant bird or invaded by a parasitic wasp, the developing winged adult moth can be expected to emerge from its leafy shelter in the late spring or early summer.
Promethea cocoon, Dorbrook Recreation Area, 2/1/2023. Length of leafed cocoon is about 3 1/2 inches.
Promethea moth cocoons, Dorbrook Recreation Area, 2/1/2023. (posted 2/3/2023)
Pine Siskin
We recently had a nice surprise at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center bird feeder window when a Pine Siskin, mixed in with a large flock of American Goldfinch, graced our thistle feeders. Similar in size to the American Goldfinch, Pine Siskins have streaks on their brown bodies and a pop of yellow edging on their wings and tails. They also have a smaller, pointed bill and a short-notched tail.
Siskins are fairly nomadic and some years will have a wide range based on the availability of seed crops. During these irruptive years, a large number of Pine Siskins can be found in New Jersey. It usually occurs when a bad seed crop further north drives them south in search of food. These irruptive years are quite erratic, and there can be a long time between them. This winter only a trickle of these birds have been seen around the state, and only a few of these sightings have been documented with pictures.
This digi-binned photograph (a digital image taken through binoculars) shows a nice comparison between the two species. (posted 1/25/2023)
Inkberry Holly
Pictured above is the Inkberry Holly, or Ilex glabra. Native to the eastern United States, this evergreen shrub lacks the spiny-edged leaves that the American Holly is known for. Similar to the American Holly, Inkberry plants are dioecious and either contain all female or all male flowers. Both a male and a female holly must be within range of each other in order to attain cross-pollination. Deer tend to avoid grazing on this plant, allowing its evergreen color to brighten up your winter walk. This species typically grows in wetter sites but, interestingly enough, it is also highly adapted to fire. If a fire occurs, Inkberry Holly can push out new growth from its base ensuring its survival.
Inkberry Holly gets its namesake from its dark black berry-like drupes that form after pollination occurs. These fruits are a pivotal food source for birds and other wildlife spending their winters here. Bees and other pollinators make good use of Inkberry flowers and the pollen is considered to be of high quality for honeybees. (posted 1/23/2023)
Squirrel's Drey
Can you guess what animal uses this nest? If you guessed squirrel, you are correct! Squirrels build a nest called a drey. They are often confused for a bird’s nest but a good clue to look for is if there are lots of leaves woven into it and they are usually pretty large. Dreys are most commonly used in the warmer months and are often empty in the winter. Because squirrels are always on the move, they may build two or three nests in one area. These are used as emergency nests to hide from a predator or to store extra food. Some even use them as a temporary rest stop. Next time you see a drey up in the tree, take a few minutes to watch and see if you can spot a furry friend nearby! (posted 1/13/2023)
Razorbills & Dovekies
Razorbill
Dovekie
Winter does not inspire most people to head out to the beach. Its cold weather and high winds can be
daunting. However, every day is a good day to head outside. This is especially true for birders and
nature lovers this winter as there seems to be an influx of birds in the Auk
family (Alcidae) - specifically razorbills and dovekies - coming closer to
shore than usual.
Both species can be incredibly hard to spot, often
disappearing behind the swell of waves. Razorbills are large – on average 17
inches long - and are easier to spot on the water with their pronounced deep
bill, black back, and white belly. The more diminutive dovekies also have a
black back and white belly but are just over 8 inches long and have a tiny bill.
The irruptive invasion of these birds close
to shore makes for an exciting start to the year. Check out Seven Presidents
Oceanfront Park, Long Branch, as well as local inlets, in the hopes of seeing
these birds. (posted 1/6/2023)
Greater White-fronted Goose
Do you remember the children’s book Where’s Waldo?
Well, look at this picture and see if you can find the goose that stands
out. Mixed in with a flock of Canada
Geese is a Greater White-fronted Goose.
Look for its orange feet, pinkish orange bill, white face patch, black
belly splotches, and white side stripe. It was no easy feat spotting this one amongst
thousands of Canada Geese recently visiting Thompson Park, Lincroft. (posted
1/6/2023)