WNJ Exclusive: Ospreys, snakes and turtles at Manasquan Reservoir
Painted and large red-bellied turtles bask on a fallen log.
All photos by David Wheeler and William Halsted, WildNewJersey.tv
All photos by David Wheeler and William Halsted, WildNewJersey.tv
Spring has arrived with beautiful weather, waking up wildlife across the state from their winter slumber. At Manasquan Reservoir, a recent tour by David Wheeler and William Halsted found an abundance of wildlife on the move. One osprey fished for food from its nest, while another pair took turns gathering sticks across the road to fortify its treetop nest in the waters of the reservoir. A nesting bald eagle could be seen up close in the environmental center's webcam, and mergansers, mute swans,and other water birds paddled the surface.
An Osprey bringing food back to its nest.
Further down the trail, the squeaky movements of tiny mammals - shrews perhaps- under the leaf and moss carpeting along the waterside may have triggered the predatory instincts of a garter snake. The snake slowly slithered through the area on high alert for its next meal.
A Garter Snake is on the move looking for its next meal.
More painted and red-bellied turtles.
Mute Swan
David Wheeler spots the endangered "Alvin Chipmunk".
A Garter Snake is on the move looking for its next meal.
In the wetland areas along the edges of the reservoir, dozens and dozens of turtles soaked in the sunshine, with high numbers of painted turtles and large red-bellied turtles lining fallen logs and tree stumps. More information on Manasquan Reservoir can be found at: http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/Page.aspx?ID=2531
More painted and red-bellied turtles.
Mute Swan
David Wheeler spots the endangered "Alvin Chipmunk".
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 4/8/2010 1:00 PM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives
Tags: painted turtle osprey shrew red-bellied turtles Manasquan Reservoir garter snake bald eagle mergansers mute swans
Categories: WNJ Exclusives
Tags: painted turtle osprey shrew red-bellied turtles Manasquan Reservoir garter snake bald eagle mergansers mute swans
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