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About Rutgers Ecological Preserve The following information is reprinted from a pamphlet that was written by Dr. Edmund W. Stiles in 1978. It gives a short history of the preserve and lists the various plant and animal species found in the preserve. We are in the process of updating the lists. For example there are now turkeys and coyotes in the preserve. If anyone knows of others, please email us! Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area
Introduction
The Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area was formally established by action of the Board of Governors on May 14, 1976. The 370 acre (149.7-ha) preserve is located in an area sometimes referred to as Kilmer Woods located in Middlesex County between River Road and the Livingston College Campus, Metlars Lane and Cedar Lane (see map).
Within the preserve is one of the finest old-growth forests of oak, ash, maple, and beech in central New Jersey. The mature forest is surrounded by a diversity of old fields and fence rows undergoing natural succession. These areas, included within the preserve, will be maintained without further human development.
The Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area, being located in an area of relatively high population density, provides a natural resource for the university community and the surrounding towns for teaching, photography, walking, and other activities which do not disturb the natural processes in the preserve.
History of the Preserve
To understand the history of the preserve we must start about 180 million years ago in the Triassic Period. At that time this region was a hilly subtropical district with clay soils. The clays were leached of nutrients and weathered, eventually eroding into fault basins where over millions of years they settled into the brick-red sedimentary rock we call New Brunswick shale. This material was unconsolidated and it eroded quickly to form ravines. Being poor in nutrients, the shale was relatively poor parent material for soil.
The advance of the glaciers 20,000 years ago stopped just north of the preserve in what is now Metuchen, leaving the soils of the preserve untouched. Although Indians and lightening regularly stared fires in this area, little recent alteration of the forest took place until the coming of the white man. As the area became colonized by Europeans the land was cleared for agriculture and whatever organic soil had accumulated was plowed, much eventually being eroded into the Raritan River. Today soil profiles from the old fields reveal small amounts of organic litter over red soil, red rocks, and red shale bedrock. In the old forest section of the preserve early history is not well documented but a map by Dr. John Brush, a geographer, indicates the site was woodland in 1848 and therefore has not been altered since before 1840. Rich organic soils are found in parts of this area.
By the 1920s and early 1930s falling crop prices and deteriorating soil quality forced farmers to abandon many of the agricultural fields. Developers were prepared to build on this land and streets were laid out for the Ross Hall development in the late 1920s. The Depression halted this construction, however, and the plans were never completed. During World War II Camp Kilmer used parts of the preserve for training activities. Evidence of these activities are still apparent with one of the principle sites being an abandoned complex of ammunition bunkers. At the end of the war these activities were discontinued and still more areas were left to secondary succession. Occasional fires have disturbed the succession with an extensive one occurring in April 1977 when over 20 percent of the field areas were burned.
Rutgers University initiated acquisition of the land in 1950 and purchase of the land was completed in 1964. Since 1955 the property has been used by Rutgers University students as a natural classroom.
Physical Features
The preserve ranges from 40 to 120 feet above sea level and is drained by two streams: Buell Brook, which flows through the old forest and acts as the primary drainage for the preserve, and Metlars Brook, which drains the western portion of the preserve. Numerous trails provide access to many different habitat types.
Approximately 100 acres (40.5-ha) of the preserve are mature forest, dominated by white ash (Fraxinus americanus), northern red oak (Quercus borealis), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black oak (Q. velutina), and white oak (Q. alba), with smaller numbers of hickory (Carya spp.), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and black cherry (Prunus serotina). An understory of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), with saplings of sugar maple, red maple (A. rubrum), and black cherry with a shrub layer of maple leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), and spicebush (Lindera benzoin) vary in composition and density in different sections of the mature forest. Much of the diversity within this section of the preserve is affected by the diverse array of soil moisture conditions associated with drainage patterns of the preserve. Seasonal changes in the herb layer are dramatic with ground cover of mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) and spring beauty (Clatonia virginica) dominating in the early spring, being replaced later in the summer by white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), jewel-weed (Impatiens biflora), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).
The remaining 270 acres (109.5-ha) of the preserve are in various stages of secondary succession in which the natural process of growth and replacement of plants and animals is in progress. The abandoned agricultural fields and fence rows with over 200 species of herbs and over 50 species of grasses and sedges provide natural laboratories for comparative studies of plants and animals in a diverse environment.
Animals of the Preserve
The diversity of habitats within the preserve provide a vast array of environments for animals. Insects and other invertebrates, both terrestrial and aquatic, abound and over 200 species of vertebrates have been recorded on the preserve.
Fish
The two streams, Buell and Metlars Brooks, provide a limited environment for fishes. Ten species have been recorded within, or immediately adjacent to, the preserve. Upstream access to Buell Brook is limited, except during high water, by a waterfall barrier in the culvert under River Road, and Metlars Brook is relatively small where it drains the preserve.
Families and Species of Fishes: Anguillidae
American Eel (Auguilla rostrata) Cyprinidae
Spottail Shiner (Notropos hudsonius)
Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus)
Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)
Catostomidae
White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni)
Creek Chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) | Cyprinodontidae
Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)
Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) Centrarchidae
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Percidae
Tessellated Darter (Etheostoma olmstedi)
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Amphibians and Reptiles
Amphibians of the preserve are most evident in the spring and early summer when the choruses of spring peepers and upland chorus frogs fill the wet fields and forest areas of the preserve, and the long trilling calls of the American toad resound in the warm evenings. At this time Eastern red-backed salamanders of both “red-backed” and “lead-backed” phases can be found under rocks and logs in the forest areas. Eleven species of frogs and salamanders have been recorded in the preserve and several others are likely to be found in the future.
The reptiles of the preserve are not well known, as little research has been conducted during the warmer months when the reptiles are most active. Of the six species known from the preserve, by far the most evident are the Eastern box turtle, which can be encountered throughout the preserve, and the racer, which is usually seen moving quickly through the dense areas of the successional fields.
Families and Species of Amphibians and Reptiles:
Plethodontidae
Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Pethodon cinereus), abundant
Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus), rare
Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber), rare
Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata), common
Bufonidae
American Toad (Bufo americanus), common
Fowler’s Toad (Bufo woodhousei), possible, no record
Hylidae
Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans), possible, no record
Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer), abundant
Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor), uncommon
Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata), common
Emydidae
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), abundant
| Ranidae
Bullfrog (Rana catesbiana), rare Green Frog (Rana clamitans), common
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), possible, no record
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia), possible, no record
Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), rare
Colubridae
Northern Water Snake (Natrix sipedon), rare
Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi), rare
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), uncommon
Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus), possible, no record
Smooth Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae), possible, no record
Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus), possible, no record
Racer (Coluber constrictor), common
Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), uncommon
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Birds
Over 150 species of birds have been recorded on the preserve. The diverse habitats and the easy accessibility via the extensive system of trails provide an excellent environment for the study and enjoyment of birds. The seasonal changes in birds on the preserve yield flocks of tree sparrows and dark-eyed juncos in the fields during winter with mixed-species foraging flocks, dominated by black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, and white-breasted nuthatches in the forest areas. Spring migration progresses in “waves” following warm weather systems. One of the most evident groups at this time is the wood warblers of which 31 species have been recorded on the preserve. During the breeding season many species establish breeding territories from which the males sing both to attract mates and repel other males. Songs of wood thrushes and ovenbirds dominate in the mature forest while field sparrows and indigo buntings sing from the tops of small trees and shrubs in the successional fields. In fall, thrushes, confusing fall-plummage warblers, and white-throated sparrows move through the preserve while numerous hawks and geese fly over on their way to wintering grounds.
Families and Species of Birds:
Because of the changing character of the bird community, the following list attempts to give some indication of seasonal occurrence and abundance:
Seasonality (first letter following species name)
R – resident; present all year, although abundance may vary seasonally
S – summer visitor only (includes spring and fall)
W – winter visitor only (includes spring and fall)
M – migrant (spring and fall) only
Abundance (second letter following species name)
A* or a – abundant; almost always seen or heard in appropriate habitats
C or c – common; often seen or heard in appropriate habitats
U or u – uncommon; usually present but not seen or heard on every visit to appropriate habitats
R or r – rare; present in appropriate habitats only in small numbers and seldom seen or heard
* Capital letters indicate that breeding on the preserve has occurred or is strongly suspected
Gavlidae
Common Loon, Mu
Ardeidae
Great Blue Heron, Rr
Great Egret, Sr
Black-crowned Night Heron, Rr
Green Heron, Sr
Anatidae
Canada Goose, Wu
Snow Goose, Wr
Mallard, RU
Black Duck, Ru
Wood Duck, Sr
Cathartidae
Turkey Vulture, Ru
Accipitridae
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mu
Cooper’s Hawk, Mr
Red-tailed Hawk, RU
Red-shouldered Hawk, Rr
Broad-winged Hawk, Sr
Rough-legged Hawk, Wr
Northern Harrier, Wu
Pandionidae
Osprey, Mr
Falconidae
Merlin, Wr
American Kestrel, RC
Tetraonidae
Ruffled Grouse, Rr
Phasianidae
Bobwhite, RU
Ring-necked Pheasant, RC
Psittacidae
Monk Parakeet, Rr
Charadriidae
Killdeer, RU
Scolopacidae
Woodcock, SU
Solitary Sandpiper, Mr
Laridae
Great Black-backed Gull, Wr
Herring Gull, Wc
Ring-billed Gull, Wc
Columbidae
Rock Dove, RC
Mourning Dove, RC
Cuculidae
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, SU
Black-billed Cuckoo, Su
Strigidae
Screech Owl, RC
Great Horned Owl, RC
Long-eared Owl, Wr
Saw-whet Owl, Wr
Barred Owl, Rr
Caprimulgidae
Common Nighthawk, Su
Apodidae
Chimney Swift, SC
Trochilidae
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, SR Alcedinidae
Belted Kingfisher, Sr | Picidae
Common Flicker, RC
Red-bellied Woodpecker, Rr
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Mu
Hairy Woodpecker, RU
Downy Woodpecker, RA
Tyrannidae
Eastern Kingbird, SC
Western Kingbird, Mr
Great Crested Flycatcher, SU
Eastern Phoebe, Su
Least Flycatcher, Mu
Eastern Wood Pewee, SA
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Mr
Alaudidae
Horned Lark, RU
Hirundinidae
Tree Swallow, Su
Rough-winged Swallow, Mu
Barn Swallow, SC
Purple Martin, Sr
Corvidae
Blue Jay, RC
Common Crow, RA
Fish Crow, Ru
Paridae
Black-capped Chickadee, RA
Tufted Titmouse, RA
Sittidae
White-breasted Nuthatch, RU
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mu
Certhiidae
Brown Creeper, Wu
Troglodytidae
House Wren, SA
Winter Wren, Wr
Carolina Wren, Ru
Mimidae
Northern Mockingbird, RA
Gray Catbird, SA
Brown Thrasher, SC
Turdidae
American Robin, RC
Wood Thrush, SC
Hermit Thrush, Wu
Swainson’s Thrush, Mc
Gray-cheeked Thrush, Mr
Veery, Mu
Eastern Bluebird, Rr
Sylviidae
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Su
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Wu
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mc
Motacillidae
Water Pipit, Wu
Bombycillidae
Cedar Waxwing, Ru
Sturnidae
Starling, RA
Virionidae
White-eyed Vireo, SU
Yellow-throated Vireo, Mr
Solitary Vireo, Mu
Red-eyed Vireo, Su
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Black-and-white Warbler, SC
Worm-eating Warbler, Mu
Blue-winged Warbler, SA
Golden-winged Warbler, Mu
Tennessee Warbler, Mu
Orange-crowned Warbler, Mr
Nashville Warbler, Mu
Northern Parula, Mu
Yellow Warbler, SC
Magnolia Warbler, Mc
Cape May Warbler, Mu
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Mc
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wa
Black-throated Green Warbler, Mc
Cerulean Warbler, Mr
Blackburnian Warbler, Mu
Chestnut-sided Warbler, Mc
Bay-breasted Warbler, Mu
Blackpoll Warbler, Mc
Prairie Warbler, SU
Palm Warbler, SU
Ovenbird, SA
Northern Waterthrush, Mu
Louisiana Waterthrush, Mr
Kentucky Warbler, MR
Connecticut Warbler, Mr
Common Yellowthroat, SA
Yellow-breasted Chat, SR
Hooded Warbler, Mr
Wilson’s Warbler, Mr
Canada Warbler, Mu
American Redstart, Mc
Ploceidae
House Sparrow, RA
Icteridae
Bobolink, Mu
Eastern Meadowlark, SC
Red-winged Blackbird, Rc
Northern Oriole, SU
Rusty Blackbird, Mr
Common Grackle, Ra
Brown-headed Cowbird, RC
Thraupidae
Scarlet Tanager, SC
Summer Tanager, Sr
Fringillidae
Cardinal, RC
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, SU
Blue Grosbeak, Sr
Indigo Bunting, SC
Dickcissel, Mr
Evening Grosbeak, Wu
Purple Finch, Wu
House Finch, RC
Pine Grosbeak, Wr
Common Redpoll, Wr
Pine Siskin, Wu
American Goldfinch, RC
Rufous-sided Towhee, SA
Savannah Sparrow, Mc
Grasshopper Sparrow, Sr
Vesper Sparrow, Mu
Dark-eyed Junco, Wa
Tree Sparrow, Wc
Chipping Sparrow, SC
Field Sparrow, SA
White-crowned Sparrow, Mu
White-throated Sparrow, Wa
Fox Sparrow, Mc
Lincoln’s Sparrow, Mr
Swamp Sparrow, Mu
Song Sparrow, RA
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Mammals
Most mammals found in the preserve are nocturnal and there are only a few species, therefore, which are seen by daytime visitors to the preserve. The Eastern gray squirrel and its leaf nests are commonly seen in the forest sections of the preserve, and meadow voles move quickly along their runways through the grass to avoid anyone walking through the grassy areas of the successional fields. The nocturnal or crepuscular activity of opossums, raccoons, white-footed mice, Eastern cottontails, and white-tailed deer are evident from tracks left in the soft earth along the trails or in the snow. The preserve supports at least 25 species of mammals including longtail weasels, southern flying squirrels, and the elusive gray fox.
Families and Species of Mammals:
Didelphidae
Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), common
Talpidae
Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus), uncommon
Starnose Mole (Condylura cristata), possible, no record
Soricidae
Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus), uncommon
Shorttail Shrew (Blarina brevicauda), common
Vespertilionidae
Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), common
Keen Myotis (Myotis keeni), possible, no record
Small-footed Myotis (Myotis subulatus), possible, no record
Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), possible, no record
Eastern Pipistrel (Pipistrellus subflavus), possible, no record
Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis), common
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), abundant
Procyonidae
Racoon (Procyon lotor), common
Mustelidae
Longtail Weasel (Mustela frenata), uncommon
Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), uncommon
Canidae
Red Fox (Vulpes fulva), uncommon
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), rare
| Sciuridae
Woodchuck (Marmota monax), common
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus), rare
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), abundant
Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans), uncommon
Cricetidae
White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), abundant
Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), common
Pine Vole (Pitymys pinetorum), uncommon
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), uncommon
Muridae
Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus), rare
House Mouse (Mus musculus), common
Zapodidae
Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius), uncommon
Leporidae
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), abundant
Cervidae
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), common
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Prepared by: Edmund W. Stiles, Ph.D. 4/78
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