WNJ Exclusive: Beaver and turtles on Sierra Club eco-tour of Dismal Swamp with WildNewJersey.tv
WildNewJersey.tv's Dana Patterson stops along the hike to do some birding.
All photos by Dana Patterson, Shannon Storey, and Grace Lawrence
By Jill Weislo, WildNewJersey.tv Correspondent
The weather was just right for the Sierra Club to join WildNewJersey.tv on an eco-tour through the Dismal Swamp. WildNewJersey.tv's David Wheeler led the group to the trail entrance at Edison's Triple C Ranch and the adventure began.
As the group walked along the Bound Brook a lucky few were able to spot a beaver swimming upstream. Woodpeckers called out as the rest of the group viewed damage left behind from the beavers, including a dam built across the river that floods parts of the swamp so badly that a few trees were uprooted.
The tour begins as the group crosses into the Dismal Swamp.
WildNewJersey.tv's David Wheeler points out abeaver dam in the Bound Brook.
The weather was just right for the Sierra Club to join WildNewJersey.tv on an eco-tour through the Dismal Swamp. WildNewJersey.tv's David Wheeler led the group to the trail entrance at Edison's Triple C Ranch and the adventure began.
As the group walked along the Bound Brook a lucky few were able to spot a beaver swimming upstream. Woodpeckers called out as the rest of the group viewed damage left behind from the beavers, including a dam built across the river that floods parts of the swamp so badly that a few trees were uprooted.
The tour begins as the group crosses into the Dismal Swamp.
WildNewJersey.tv's David Wheeler points out abeaver dam in the Bound Brook.
After leaving the swamp and entering the meadow, a few avid birders were able to spot a red-tailed hawk, white-throated sparrow, and killdeer and everyone was able to hear the beautiful chirps of spring peepers. The group made a quick stop to see the Triple C Ranch's farm animals, then finished the tour with a walk around Turtle Pond. A scope was set up so the group could get a good look at some painted turtles basking on a log. Near the pond's edge,
WildNewJersey.tv's Dana Patterson found Darla the Ducks hidden eggs
(Darla is a long time resident of Turtle Pond).
This beaver was spotted last year in the Dismal swamp.
This beaver was spotted last year in the Dismal swamp.
"The outing afforded our group the opportunity to experience the amazingly diverse ecosystem of the Dismal Swamp on a deeply personal level," said Denise McClellan, outings
coordinator for the Sierra Club Raritan Valley Group. "As one of the last remaining priority wetlands in a highly urbanized area, the Dismal Swamp is unquestionably a precious wildlife refuge and invaluable natural resource to the community. As a member of the Sierra Club I am proud to be part of a group that has joined with the Edison Wetland Association in advocating for the continued preservation of such an important conservation area."
The group walks across the bridge to enter the meadows.
David Wheeler gives a brief history of the Dismal Swamp.
The WildNewJersey.tv team; from left: Jill Weislo, Grace Lawrence, David Wheeler, Shannon Storey, and Dana Patterson.
Darla's eggs.
The group walks across the bridge to enter the meadows.
Stay tuned for more
eco-tour events and don't forget to contact WildNewJersey.tv if you'd
like to set up an eco-tour of the Dismal Swamp for your group!
David Wheeler gives a brief history of the Dismal Swamp.
The WildNewJersey.tv team; from left: Jill Weislo, Grace Lawrence, David Wheeler, Shannon Storey, and Dana Patterson.
Darla's eggs.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 4/16/2010 10:00 AM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Dismal Swamp
Tags: triple c ranch dismal swamp edison wildnewjersey.tv sierra club
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Dismal Swamp
Tags: triple c ranch dismal swamp edison wildnewjersey.tv sierra club
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