Website – www.ExperienceBarnegatBay.org Voice – (609) 698-8003 Fax – (732) 782-0311 Board of Directors Terry O’Leary President John Wnek Vice President Christine Raabe Recording Secretary Roger Locandro, Ph.D. Past President Nancy Eriksen Past President Walter Bien, Ph.D. Bruce Boyd Jack Henderson Luke Pelligra Mike Mangum Paul Jivoff, Ph.D. Operations Manager Pola Galie (609) 698-8003 voice/(732) 782-0311 fax

Ray Nyman, Carver explains the tradition and use of a gunning garvey at the “All

About Waterfowling” Day. Photo Courtesy of Curtis Watts

THE KINGFISHER

Quarterly Newsletter of the NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Of New Jersey

Spring, 2008

PRESIDENT’S LETTER Happy Spring! The Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education contains nearly 200 acres of coastal habitats such as maritime forest, salt marshes, dune thicket, hummocks, tidal creeks, a brackish impoundment, vernal pools, Hidden Pond, and the shoreline of Barnegat Bay. This diverse habitat supports populations of crustaceans, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and more than 130 species of birds. The “Experience Barnegat Bay” Trail system provides access to these special places National Honor Society students from the MATES Academy have recently completed a habitat enhancement project near the Brackish Impoundment and that includes trail improvements, tree pruning, creation of brush piles for wildlife, the installation of a wood duck nest box, construction of an accessible boardwalk and a wildlife observation blind, invasive species removal, as well as a field guide booklet for use near the brackish impoundment. Two of these MATES students, Kathryn Gardener and Maya Jenkins, are serving as “Externs” this spring, pitching in to work on many hands-on projects at the Center. Our latest project is the new Rain Garden. This cooperative project led by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District and funded by the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program, is located in the field between the East and West Wing. The project will demonstrate how native plantings can absorb roof runoff, and prevent erosion, flooding, and non-point pollution to protect the Barnegat Bay Watershed. An Outdoor Learning Station will be constructed, complete with a nest box, picnic tables, and interpretive signage. On March 15th NREF hosted “All About Waterfowling”, a special event highlighting the traditions of Barnegat Bay. The event, attended by more than 100 visitors, featured demonstrations, exhibits, live music, interactive programs, crafts, and refreshments. We have a number of activities and programs planned for this spring and summer, described in the following pages of the Kingfisher. We are hoping that you can join us. Members who wish to volunteer to assist with hosting these events or helping out with trail work, or other projects are most welcome. Contact our Operations Manager, Pola Galie for details.

NATURALIST’S CORNER

By Terry O’Leary

MANAGER’S REPORT The arrival of Spring, or rather the peek-a-boo game it seems to be playing with one day being beautiful and warm and then turning cold and windy by night, is time for celebration and the all-time favorite – the spring peepers and wood frogs are telling me it’s time for the “SPRING CAMP WAKE UP” Day. We’ll be out sprucing up and welcoming Spring on Saturday 5/3/08. You are invited to join us to help mulch the flower beds, clear one of the trails and have a great time with your friends at the Lighthouse Center. Also, anyone interested in being part of something wonderful can contact me to schedule volunteer time in many different capacities – we could use help in everything from event planning, painting, general maintenance and from clean up to fundraising.

The 1st Annual Handmade Faire has drawn a lot of unique vendors and looks to be a great day. Food that day will be available for purchase from Bayou Café of Manasquan and vendors are coming from as far away as Connecticut to join us. This promises to be a great day rain or shine! Lots of unique crafty and one-of-a-kind items as well as some eco-friendly artisans that fit right into our the LHC’s vision and mission. We are also hard at work planning for a family-oriented archery event and picnic on Sunday, June 8th in partnership with the Traditional Archers of New Jersey. Both of these events are open to the public and are fundraising efforts for restoration and upkeep of the buildings and grounds at the center. Many of the events that planned at the center include a very special element for children and youth. From the AmerGen/Fish Hawkes Youth Fishing Seminar to the activities conducted by Cattus Island and Jenkinson’s Aquarium at the “All About Waterfowling Day” the NREF Board of Directors and dedicated staff continue to create fun and educational opportunities for the next generation to “play outdoors” and coincidentally,

learn about the environment, ecology, watersheds and wildlife by physically touching the water, sand, a flower or a tree, even checking out bugs and frogs, while having fun in a safe, wholesome and friendly setting.

Wood Frog Lithobates sylvaticus

Description: Wood Frog adults are 1 1/2-3 1/4” in length, with a ¼ oz average weight; coloration varies from brown to tan and rust; also in shades of green and gray. There is a black patch over the tympanum and below, referred to as a “robbers mask”, and a white line “moustache” on the upper lip. Range: Wood Frogs range from northern Georgia to northeastern United State, across Canada into Alaska up to the limit of spruce forests; the only frogs that are found north of the Artic Circle. Habitat: In summer Wood Frogs seek out moist woodlands; in winter they hide under stones, brush, and leaf litter. During the breeding season, which begins with the first warm downpour in late winter, Wood Frogs migrate to vernal pools and shallow woodland ponds. Mating: Wood Frogs are the earliest of the frogs to be heard, even if there is ice on the pond, as long as the daytime temperatures are in the 40’s. Besides their duck-like quack or chuckling sound, males also quietly search the breeding area for females. Males cannot recognize if another frog is a female, except by embracing the frog, releasing those that are not fat enough to be a female full of eggs, while emitting a loud croak. After a female is clasped from behind by the male (amplexus), she will release a globular egg mass, attaching it to a twig in the deepest part of the water, as the male will

fertilize the eggs. The mating pair will depart for the forest, abandoning their future offspring. As the egg mass of about 1500-2000 eggs begins to flatten out on the surface, it becomes greenish in color and well camouflaged. Tadpoles: Small black tadpoles emerge in the shallow water in about three weeks. After feeding on aquatic leaves and algae, they grow quickly and become greenish brown in color. Wood Frog tadpoles can actually recognize their kin, and will stay together for warmth and predator defense. If there is a marked difference in size in the pond, larger tadpoles will cannibalize smaller ones. Otherwise they are herbivores, feeding on aquatic plants and algae. Tadpoles undergo complete metamorphosis; they will begin to develop legs and by June will absorb their tail before emerging from the water as adults. Feeding: Adult Wood Frogs eat spiders, beetles, moth larvae, slugs, worms, and occasionally smaller frogs. Predators: Wood Frogs produce repulsive skin secretions to deter predators. They are eaten by herons, egrets, snapping turtles, skunks, snakes, shrews, and foxes. Wood Frogs may emit a “mercy alarm scream” when attacked. Caddis Fly larvae and turtles prey on tadpoles. Field Notes: Recent population declines have been observed. Loss of habitat to development and filling in of vernal pools have made Wood Frogs uncommon in urban and degraded areas. Large numbers of these amphibians are killed crossing roads near breeding ponds. Wood Frogs are important indicators of environmental health. In some areas of their range Wood Frogs are listed as “species of concern”. In winter as much as 35-45% of a Wood Frog’s body may freeze, and turn to ice. Ice crystals that form beneath their skin become interspersed among the skeletal muscles. Wood Frogs have mastered cryogenic freezing, during which their breathing, blood flow, and heartbeat cease, but they will emerge from winter hibernation completely unscathed as the weather warms.

Is it time to renew your membership? We need your support!

EXPERIENCE BARNEGAT BAY

A project of the Natural Resource Education Foundation of NJ

$25 Individual

$35 Family

$15 Student

$500 Corporate

Donation _________ Please send your check payable to: Natural Resource Education Foundation of NJ (NREF) P.O. Box 747 Waretown, NJ 08758

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SAVE THESE DATES!----------You won’t want to miss these events! Sunday, April 20 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – HANDMADE FAIRE 50+ vendors of unique and special items. What a great way to support the Center, have fun and go shopping! Check out the list of vendors online. Free admission & parking/Open to the General Public Wednesday, April 30 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm 11th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable For additional information visit www.ocscd.org Saturday, May 3 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Spring Awakening at the Lighthouse Center Please come out to volunteer for a little “spring cleaning”. We will have refreshments available and all tools that we will need. Please RSVP to Pola Galie at (609) 698-8003 or pgalie@nrefnj.org Saturday June 7 Pebble Beach Homeowners Assoc. membership drive for Lighthouse Center members

Sunday, June 8 8:00 am – 1:00 pm – Arrows on the Half Shell What a great combination ~ An Archery shoot (recurve and long bows only) and picnic. Shoot registration from 8-noon and then a great barbecue and clambake served starting at 11:30 am. Saturday, June 21 AmerGen/Fish Hawks Big Brother/Big Sister of Ocean County Fishing With AmerGen's generous donation and support and the volunteers from the Fish Hawks Salt Water Anglers Club, the 190+ members want to introduce the children of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ocean County to the sport

of fishing and love of the environment. With the Lighthouse Center location on Barnegat Bay we should have a perfect event. Other meetings and happenings at the center include: Edwin B. Forsythe Master Naturalist’s Program 4/19; Daughters of the American Revolution 4/22; Pebble Beach Homeowners Association 6/7

Visit us online at www.ExperienceBarnegatBay.org Natural Resource Education Foundation of New Jersey P. O. Box 747 Waretown, NJ 08758

Visit us online at www.ExperienceBarnegatBay.org