Upper Sarepta Road, White Township, NJ
Phone: (973) 383-0918
www.njfishandwildlife.org/wmas.htm
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Return to U.S. Route 46 West. After 2.9 miles turn Right at the traffic light onto Upper Sarepta Road. Continue 0.7 miles to the first parking area on the Right. A parking area at the rail trail is located a further 0.2 miles on the Left. Additional parking is located 0.4 mile on the Left, and 0.1 mile on the Left. Map
There is an abandoned railroad, part of a rail trail maintained by Jenny Jump State Forest, that runs for two miles on the property. It crosses Upper Sarepta Road at the bottom of the hill, across from Ledge Road.
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| Coyote | Kevin Karlson |
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| | With spectacular "big sky" views in a rural setting of fields and woods, Beaver Brook WMA, totaling nearly 500 acres, offers an opportunity for serene wildlife viewing in an enchanting landscape. Dedicated in March 1999, this WMA is one of the newest in the state. Located away from traffic and commercial activity, the only sounds here are those of quiet winds rustling through leaves and grasses and the cryptic communications of wildlife in the area. Restoration activities are underway and are intended to improve habitat for state threatened and endangered grassland species. Big fields planted to native warm season grass are interspersed with deciduous woods of maple, oak, hickory and ash. Black bear, white-tailed deer, coyote, Wild Turkey and red fox are also residents.
the fantastic mating display of the American Woodcock in early spring. Just at nightfall on the edge of an open field, listen for the distinctive repeating “peent” of the sitting male woodcock. Then, in a sudden burst of spiraling flight, his wings distinctively “twitter” while attaining a height of 200-300 feet. Zigzagging and chirping all the way down until just before landing, the bird alights silently near the female he hopes to mate with. If she is unimpressed, the ritual begins again.
Break a trail across the fields on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Look for soaring birds, especially Northern Harrier, in the crisp winter skies, and follow animal tracks, which may lead to nightly resting places. Great Blue Heron has been spotted here if the waters do not freeze over.
May is the best month for the colorful migrating warblers; Yellow, Black-and-white, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers and Common Yellowthroat will all take advantage of the refuge on the trip north, or stay to nest. Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Eastern Phoebe, American Robin and American Woodcock are among those that can be viewed.
Monarda, also known as bee balm, coneflowers and other native flowers will be in bloom, adding a splash of color to the green of the fields. Native wildflowers support a wide array of butterflies, both as nectar sources for the adults or as food source for the larva, or caterpillars. Yellow-throated Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole and Kentucky Warbler, along with Wood Thrush and Gray Catbird may be spotted. Scan grasslands and edges for Indigo bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Prairie and Blue-winged Warblers, American Kestrel, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee and Red-winged Blackbird.
From late summer through November migrating Neotropical songbirds and raptors will take advantage of the refuge’s offerings on the trip south. The fields will be prime hunting grounds for the raptors, so make sure to look to the sky. Perhaps a Red-tailed Hawk will stoop upon a field rodent or a Sharp-shinned Hawk will zigzag its way toward a smaller bird along the forest edge. Native rudbeckias, or coneflowers, while providing nectar for late migrant Monarchs, will also add a cheery yellow to the drying fields and complement the brilliant fall colors of the trees on the surrounding hills.
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