Migratory Bird Refuge: Re-Opened!

After a massive, multimillion-dollar restoration, The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge re-opened to the public on Monday, June 18, 2007. The restoration is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and The Nature Conservancy’s New Jersey Chapter (TNC).

The Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge, owned by The Nature Conservancy since 1981, is an internationally significant coastal wetland situated along the Atlantic flyway. These freshwater wetlands are one of the most important migratory stopovers in the world for birds of prey, shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl, as well as an important breeding area for both rare and common birds. It is considered by federal and state agencies and private organizations to be one of the foremost avian viewing areas in North America; about 60,000 raptors and over 1,000,000 seabirds migrate through this area each year.

Restoration was essential after shoreline erosion linked to the Federal navigation project at Cape May Inlet negatively impacted the Refuge. The existing freshwater ecosystem was substantially degraded through saltwater intrusion and drainage pattern alteration from dune breaching. As a result, the altered freshwater wetlands could not support the unique and endangered animals and plants which resided there and invasive species took control. Dune breaching also caused flooding to Cape May Point, West Cape May and Lower Township.

The restoration project grew out of 1992’s Lower Cape May Meadows – Cape May Point Feasibility Study. The project was authorized by Congress through the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to provide ecosystem restoration and storm damage reduction. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection share the total cost for the project, which is estimated at just over $74 million over the next 50 years, including periodic sand renourishment.

Restoration Timeline Summary:

Phragmites spraying. Fifty acres of phragmites (invasive plants) were sprayed with Rodeo, a glyphosate-based herbicide, in early September, 2004; 120 acres were sprayed in September of 2005 and 2006. Approximately half of the phragmites population has been sprayed three times and the density of live plants has been lowered substantially.

Beach replenishment. 1.9 miles of beach were replenished between December 2004 and March 2005.

Dune creation and enhancement. A 1-mile-long dune was created on the Conservancy’s property and on the adjoining Cape May Point State Park during February and March of 2005. The new dune includes several “Piping Plover crossovers,” areas of gently sloping dune that will remain vegetation-free and become an access point for plovers and their chicks to reach foraging opportunities behind the dunes. During February and March of 2005, the height of a 0.4 mile long existing dune on the Conservancy’s property was increased by 4-5 feet. Dune fencing at the trail crossovers was installed during the first half of 2006. Dune grass was planted in spring 2006.

Piping Plover Ponds. Two Piping Plover foraging ponds, featuring gentle slopes, were dug into the water table on the state park side.

Topography mapping to six-inch contours throughout the Refuge took place in March and April 2005.

Phragmites mowing took place from late October-early November 2006.

Freshwater wetland work completed. The bulk of the work began in early to mid-November, 2006 and lasted through May 2007. This work entailed:

     A Piping Plover foraging pond built on Conservancy property behind the new dune in 2006.

     A new levee created in the eastern portion of the refuge. Each of three levees, including the two where the Conservancy’s Main and East trails are located, were rebuilt to high standards and raised 2-3 feet in many locations.

     A 60-foot-wide channel was created that runs from the southwestern part of the neighboring Cape May Point State Park to the drainage point on the east end of the Refuge where Cape Island Creek is piped under the city of Cape May. Each of the three levees has a water control structure where it meets the new channel. These structures allow the Conservancy to control the water levels in three large areas on the Refuge.

     Several gull and tern islands were built in the wetlands. Some of these may be suitable for tern or heron nesting areas.

     Five small frog ponds have been built on the eastern end of the Refuge to provide additional habitat for the state-endangered Southern Grey Treefrog. The design of these ponds was provided by Dave Golden from New Jersey’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Many NEW visitor enhancements!

     A new viewing platform, several feet higher than the original and allowing for a 360-degree view of the Refuge and across the Delaware Bay, was constructed on the East trail.

     A new trail was created between the freshwater wetlands and the dunes. The existing trails were raised, allowing for improved wildlife viewing opportunities.

     New kiosk signs explaining the ecological value of project were created and installed.

     The parking area has been greatly improved to accommodate more vehicles and includes a new 50-spot bicycle rack.

     A split rail fence and landscaping frame the entire parking lot. Native plants were chosen based on the high value they possess for a variety of preserve wildlife.

     A new visitor welcome booth and preserve entrance sign help to identify the preserve and greet the community with the most current information regarding the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.