Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth
Join us for a series of eye-opening talks by Park System Naturalists and discover what’s lurking in the coastal waters of Monmouth County. The presentations are designed to inform the public of current issues, ecology and science research, and to inspire appreciation for the local natural world. FREE!
Here's what's planned:
Herons, Egrets and other Wading Birds
Thursday, February 28 from 7-8 p.m.
After decades of being difficult to find, many people are now able to spot a variety of long-legged birds, such as the Great American Egret, the Glossy Ibis, and the Great Blue Heron, the tallest native bird in New Jersey. Wading birds come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Find out who calls the coastline and mudflats of Monmouth County home as we spend time discovering what makes a bird a wading bird, where do they nest, what they eat, where they migrate, and what unique characteristics do wading birds have in common. We will also find what we can do to protect these beautiful birds.
The Piping Plover Population of Monmouth County
Thursday, March 21 from 7-8 p.m.
In 1984, the piping plover, a small shorebird approximately 7 inches long, was listed as an endangered species in New Jersey. Over 30 years later, an intensive recovery effort is still going on to increase the breeding population along the Jersey Shore, including in Monmouth County, and to reduce the many threats it faces. This presentation reviews the recovery process, including its successes and challenges, and identifies future efforts needed to delist this still vulnerable population.
Horseshoe Crabs Trying to Survive in a Modern World
Thursday, May 16 from 7-8 p.m.
Horseshoe crabs are vital to the ecology of local tidal waters in Monmouth County. Every year, during the full and new moons of late May and early June, many horseshoe crabs crawl up onto beaches to spawn and create the next generation, as they have for at least 350 million years. But today there are many threats to the survival of these ancient seafarers. Join us as we discover why the population of horseshoe crabs is declining and what people are doing to protect the crab through research, and what you can do to help. It will be a fascinating learning experience.
For more information about any of these offerings, please call Bayshore Waterfront Park at 732-787-3033, ext. 2#.