Diamondback Terrapin Survey Results and Bird Species of Note 10/10/2015 Lower Rahway River

Twelve of us gathered our vessels in the early morning of 10/10/15 to again perform a designed Diamondback Terrapin survey. Over a decade ago I was surprised to view a few distant terrapin heads searching for air; the turtles were clinging to life in this urban setting.

Deep Creek, Rahway River, Carteret; one of the more secluded spots in Middlesex County, NJ.

On this mostly sunny day multiple teams concurrently inventoried several sinuous miles of tidal creeks and the main channel of the underappreciated, but biologically rich, Rahway River.

Rahway River, Linden as seen from Carteret, NJ. Terrapins and many species of animals utilize this area.

Northern Flicker

Looking west towards Potters Island from Carteret shoreline.

We tallied an impressive 17 species of rarer animals, including the terrapin, that are designated in one or more of the following recognized categories: State Endangered, State Threatened, State Special Concern or Regional Priority.

Greater Yellowlegs are at times the most common shorebird on the lower river.

American Egret

Savannah Sparrows are found in good numbers during migration and winter; this protected species is a rare breeder in NJ. Its nesting status on the secluded Arch property needs to be ascertained.

Here you readily see the sexual dimorphism between males and female terrapins.

Terrapin head taken from a good distance.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are common seasonal vistors from up north.

Ruby-crowned Kinglets are common migrants.

Collectively we viewed only a few terrapins, a male and one or two females. But these cold-blooded animals were likely not out in full force; a cold front had arrived the night before. Prior surveys had found 8 to 28 turtles; these occurred in warmer seasons. Terrapins are known to be active into late October in our area; the late date was chosen to ascertain any seasonal variation in utilization of the lower Rahway River.

This riparian corridor is one of the most significant brackish water habitats left in the area. The terrapin is the world’s only brackish water turtle. This October the terrapins were found in the same general areas they utilized in past years. I was fortunate to get a picture of one of the wary terrapins; they are often only at the surface for a few seconds.

During this terrapin survey, like the ones before, we recorded many NJ State Endangered, NJ Threatened, NJ Special Concern and Regional Priority species. Although urban sprawl knocks on the shores of the river, biodiversity precariously remains. As mentioned we viewed 17 species that are uncommon to rare in not only the two respective counties (Union; Middlesex) but also the state.

Northern Harriers may be down to their last pair in the Arthur Kill complex. Individuals have been seen during the breedimg season on the river.

Swamp Sparrows are common breeders and vistors to the river.

However we are now realizing the terrrapins are not the only species whose populations are down to a handful of animals.

Several other species are represented by only a few individuals; it’s obvious that the continued unneeded development along the lower river, mainly in Carteret and Linden, will result in local extirpation of valuable species.
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White-crowned Sparrows are uncommon visitors from the north to the uplands along the river.

These animals are allegedly protected from poor, short-sighted, development/planning decisions by various regulations and rules. These species have been in our area for several thousand years or more; officials shouldn’t steer them into extinction with their incessant drive for more and more ratables. Our citizens again remind various local and state government officials and departments that we value our natural resources for future generations.

American or Great Egret; protected species that forages along the river during breeding season.

Below is a Key to Protection Status followed by species we observed:

thanks,

Fred Virrazzi
Zoologist

Key

E = State Endangered

T = State Threatened

SC = State Special Concern if Breeding

BR = Breeding habitat is worthy of protection

NB = Non-breeding habitat is worthy of protection

RP = Regional Priority. Designated in various regional local, state and federal plans as sensitive to disturbance and/or of special conservation concern. Birds of Conservation Concern are included as RP in this article.

Clea C. taking some pictures not far from the Arthur Kill.

Swamp Sparrow

Species

Bald Eagle 2, E BR, T NB, calling and interacting 500 feet over the river near NJTPK

Northern Harrier 1, E BR, SC NB, one pair thought to remain in Arthur K area, flying low W near Sea Scout landing, Linden

Pied-billed Grebe 1, E BR, SC NB, food diving off N end of Arch Property, Rahway + Linden, 20 minute observation, many snails

10 10 2015; on N edge of Arch property.

Cross Creek, Carteret in prior years.

Eastern Mudsnails are food for terrapins, grebes and other animals.

Osprey 3, T BR, perched and flying over entire riparian corridor

Peregrine Falcon 1, E BR, SC NB, male flying low east over the Arch property, KM, and Carteret marsh

Cooper’s Hawk 1, SC, female flying low N, from NE edge of Arch property to Linden river-edge trees

Spotted Sandpiper, 1 SC, edge of river near Deep Creek mouth, Carteret

Snowy Egret 4, SC BR, edge of river throughout riparian corridor

Great Blue Heron 6, SC BR, edge of river and creeks throughout riparian corridor

Savannah Sparrow 4, T BR, there are many sparrows on the river

Diamondback Terrapins 2-3, SC, male and female near mouth of Marsh’s Creek

Gray Catbird 3, RP

Marsh Wren 9, RP BR, all marshes throughout riparian corridor

Seaside Sparrow 2, RP, edge of Deep Creek, Carteret

American Egret 7, RP, edge of river and creeks throughout riparian corridor

Greater Yellowlegs ~30, RP, throughout riparian corridor

Black Duck 2, RP

Deep Creek, Rahway River, Carteret, NJ. This nice creek is on the east border of the Arch property.

Other species

Double-crested Cormorant 7

Belted Kingfisher 2, pair near Rahway River Yacht Club

Northern Flicker 2, on Arch property

Downy Woodpecker 2 Rahway; Linden

Killdeer 2, edge of river near Sea Scout, Linden

Red-tailed Hawk 2, over Arch property, Carteret

Mallard 18

Green-winged Teal 7

Gadwall 3

Canada Geese ~ 25

Mourning Dove ~4

Rock Pigeon 10

Northern Mockingbird 2

Red-winged Blackbird 8

House Finch ~10

Swamp Sparrow ~15

Song Sparrow ~ 5

White-throated Sparrow 4

American Goldfinch ~30

European Starling ~15

Birds Observed by Fred Virrazzi, Clea Carchia and others.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Gabrielle A. surveying a creek in Linden.

Immature, first year, White-crowned Sparrow

Northern Mockingbird; common in NJ.

Swamp Sparrow in the sun.

All pictures copyright to one or more of following: NBP, RRWA, Fred Virrazzi and, Clea Carchia.

Special Thanks to our team members: Jeff Jotz. Clea Carchia, Tom Dellaquila, Tim Walters, Katia Walters, Peggy Najjar, Denise Rolong, Karen Clementine, Gabrielle Aruta, Scott Aruta, and Fred Virrazzi.

Great appreciation is sent to our fellow conservationists, Debbie Mans at the NJ/NY Baykeeper and the Central Jersey Stream Team. Special thanks to the Rahway Yacht Club.

Looking east to the Arthur Kill and the powerplant in Staten Island. The river is quite wide and impressive here.

Definitions:

Endangered: Applies to a species whose prospects for survival within the state are in

immediate danger due to one or several factors, such as loss or degradation of habitat,

over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease or environmental pollution, etc. An

endangered species likely requires immediate action to avoid extinction within NJ.

Threatened: Applies to species that may become Endangered if conditions

surrounding it begin to or continue to deteriorate. Thus, a Threatened species is one

that is already vulnerable as a result of, for example, small population size, restricted

range, narrow habitat affinities, significant population decline, etc.

Special Concern: Applies to species that warrant special attention because of inherent vulnerability to environmental deterioration or habitat modification that would result in its becoming threatened if conditions surrounding the species begin or continue to deteriorate. Factors that can lead to classification as special concern include, but are not limited to, species rarity in the State, highly specialized food and/or habitat requirements, low reproductive rate, isolated populations of the species within the State and/or other characteristics that make the species particularly susceptible to environmental or habitat changes. This category includes a species that meets the foregoing criteria and for which there is little understanding of its current population status in the state.

Special Concern cont.: This category also applies to species that meet these criteria and for which there is little understanding of their status in the state. The term, for the purpose of the Wildlife Action Plan, also includes species identified as regional concern in national and regional conservation plans such as Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (Mid-Atlantic/ New England/ Maritimes), USFWS species of conservation concern (2002), North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and the United States Shorebird Conservation Plan.

RP = Regional Priority: Regional Priority species are found on various regional, state or federal lists. One for example is: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 (USFWS 2008): X= Species of Conservation Concern for BCR 30.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/wap/pdf/wap_apx1.pdf

In between the Arch property and Potters Island looking west.

Northern Flicker

The Arch property is designated as an important component of various greenways plans for the river; but instead various entities recently approved a contaminated soil facility for a firm under investigation.

The last mile of the river is substantial.

Spotted Sandpipers likely breed in the low numbers on the lower Rahway River.

The Pied-billed Grebe is a very rare breeder in NJ. Birds have been routinely seen in the Cross Creek/Arch property area during the breeding season.

This is not taken from the Rahway River; its shows a healthy population.

Map shows sections and towns of the lower Rahway River.

Black-crowned Night-Heron flying over the Arch property in past years.

Cross Creek – Carteret, NJ–Pied-billed Grebe from past years.

Northern Flicker

Arch property, Carteret, NJ

Pied-billed Grebe wintering bird.

Swamp Sparrow.

Part of Cross Creek leading form the Arch property, Carteret, NJ .

Eastern Mudsnails are abundant; food is not limiting the terrapins. The turtles need upland nesting areas to be preserved rather than destroyed. Terrapins control snail populations; snails can denude marsh grasses if their predators are extirpated. Terrapins are an important ecological component of a healthy marsh.