Edison Road, Sparta, NJ
Phone: (908) 766-5787
www.njaudubon.org/SectionIBBA/IBBASiteGuide/tabid/1258/sk/3061/Version/1b/Default.aspx
www.njfishandwildlife.org/wmas.htm
www.njskylands.com/pksparmt.htm
New Jersey Audubon; NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Return to Route 23 South by turning Right at the traffic light.
After 0.5 miles turn Right at the traffic light onto CR 517 South/Munsonhurst Road.
After 1.6 miles turn Left onto Edison Avenue. After 2.3 miles, there is parking on Left for Sparta Mountain and Edison Pond. After approximately 1.5 miles, there is fishing access parking for Ryker Lake on the Left, or travel a short distance and look to the Left for more parking for Sparta Mountain’s New Jersey Audubon Sanctuary. Map
There is ample streamside walking on the trail around the right side of the lake below the spillway. It crosses over several streams and through woodland with a beautiful fern-covered forest floor. Along the stream look and listen for nesting Louisiana Waterthrush.
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| Louisianna Waterthrush | Lloyd Spitalnik |
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| | Both beginner and experienced naturalists will enjoy this destination. Within relatively easy walking access around Ryker Lake, many species of resident and Neotropical migrants will be found nesting here. For the more serious hiker, the trail system extends for miles beyond the lake area into deeper woodlands where additional nesting species maybe found. Mid- to late-May is the peak for wildflowers. At the Edison iron works, look for both pink and yellow lady slipper and native columbine near the parking area and along Edison Road. The power line right-of-way here hosts nesting Blue-winged and Golden-winged Warblers, Indigo Bunting and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Hiking to Edison bog, one can find nesting Canada Warbler around the bog. In winter, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing are all options.
Usual winter resident birds abound, including Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture and Dark-eyed Junco. Extensive trails provide opportunities to view numerous animal tracks after winter snows. Ice fishing is popular on Ryker Lake.
Arriving nesting bird species include Yellow Warbler, Tree Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood Pewee, Wood Thrush, Veery, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Warbling Vireo and Red-eyed Vireo. Early migrant waterfowl such as Ring-necked Duck, Black Duck, Common Merganser and Hooded Merganser may be on the lake. Magnolia Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo and more will be found in the wooded areas. Listen in wet woodlands for resident Barred Owl to claim territory with a “who cooks for you’all” call. Dragonfly season also begins around the clear waters of the lake and streams; look for their shed skins clinging to vegetation along pond edges.
Early summer finds nesting season in full swing. In addition to the nesting species listed above, others that nest nearby and might be found here are Great Blue Heron and Broad-winged and Cooper’s Hawks. Northern Goshawk that has been known to nest in these woods is a rare find. A pair of Bald Eagles nest nearby and may be seen overhead from early spring through summer. Many bats skim the lake surface for insects at dusk.
Black bear and Wild Turkey both enjoy feeding on the acorn crop, making fall a reliable season in which to see them.
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