South Jersey -- Matt's Landing

Barbara Seith
May 7, 2023
1 min read

Matt's Landing at the Heislerville Wildlife Management Area was attractive to me for two reasons 1) It was recommended by Pete Dunne -- Mr. New Jersey Birder and 2) I thought it had a drive around the impoundment. Despite the fact I read it several places, I couldn't find details anywhere -- just somewhat vague references. So I decided to chance it.

It was lovely, but not a drive around the impoundment -- that "drive" was blocked off by mounds of dirt/sand.

The road up to the Landing was very birdy - Thrushes, Warblers, Raven and once you approach the pond -- lots of shorebirds too. I was anxious to see if there was a drive, so I went straight to the end. I was able to drive up on a berm and a spectacular view of the bay. The tide was pretty low and I think the birds would have been much in further closer to high tide. But still 1000s of birds

In the mudflats of the bay

Short-billed Dowitchers

Dunlin

Semipalmated Plover

Black Skimmers

Short-billed Dowitcher/Greater Yellowlegs

Black-bellied Plover

Mostly Short-billed Dowitchers

Laughing Gull

Semipalmated Plover

Black-bellied Plover

Black Skimmers

On the way in there were several ponds and marshes -- had very close encounters with LOTS of Clapper Rails, but couldn't see them the reeds were so thick.

Laughing Gull