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Trail Guides
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Clover Hill Park and South Branch Wildlife Management Area - Raritan Section
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5
 
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Clover Hill Road, Raritan Township, NJ
Phone: (908) 782-1158
www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/ParkAreas/CloverHill/info.htm
Hunterdon County; NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Turn Left out of the Mine Brook parking area and make the first Left onto Old Croton Road. After 0.4 miles turn Left at the traffic light onto Route 12 East. Remain on Route 12 East through two traffic circles; take the second exit at the first circle; take the third exit the second circle. At the third traffic circle, take the second exit onto U.S. Route 202 North. After 0.4 miles turn Right at the traffic light onto CR 650/Voorhees Corner Road and continue 2.0 miles turning Right onto CR 613/Old York Road. Proceed 0.2 miles and turn Left onto Clover Hill Road. The parking area is 0.3 miles down the road on the Left. There is limited parking. To access the WMA section (also known as the Merck Tract), return to CR 613 and turn Right to travel north. Travel 1.2 miles turning Right onto Hillsborough Road. Proceed 0.3 miles and after passing Wells Road, look for an entrance road on the Right leading into a small parking area. Map
The farm road that connects the paved roadway of the state side with the county side goes through a small, wet wooded area drained by a small stream. Check here for amphibians and for birds that are attracted to wet woodland habitat.
| | The Clover Hill Park and Merck Tract of South Branch WMA make up a 537-acre refuge that is mostly a mixture of grassland habitat and agricultural fields. The area has breeding American Kestrel, Bobolink and Grasshopper Sparrow. Additionally, two small ponds and a section of wet woodlands add some habitat diversity.
possible sightings of grassland-dependent bird species. These species are in decline in New Jersey; many are threatened or endangered.
Search the scrub growth for regular winter residents such as Dark-eyed Junco and White-throated Sparrow, and perhaps an uncommon White-crowned Sparrow. Visit at dusk to look for Short-eared Owl, which may be seen flying low over the fields searching for small mammals to eat. Although the best time to look for this owl is at dusk, it may be found anytime during the day or night, making it not only crepuscular but also nocturnal and diurnal. Northern Harrier may be present during the day.
During the month of March, visit the park at nightfall to experience the breeding behavior of American Woodcock. Stand quietly at the edge of field and woodland; listen for the ‘peenting’ calls and look for the birds’ aerial displays. In April and May, Palm and Blue-winged Warblers and many other migrants can be observed easily.
This is a must-stop location in summer. Bobolink and Grasshopper Sparrow are confirmed breeders at the site, while Eastern Meadowlark is a strong candidate. American Kestrel and Eastern Bluebird can be seen on the county side making use of nest boxes, and look along the edges for Eastern Kingbird. July is the height of butterfly season. Look for Red Admiral, Painted and American Ladies, Cabbage White, Orange Sulphur and Monarch Butterflies. Don’t forget about the dragonflies, Common Green Darner and Black-and-White Dragonflies may be observed around pond edges and wet areas.
Once agricultural fields are cut, look for Horned Lark moving about the stubble. Check the two small ponds for any waterfowl, herons or egrets that may be in the area. Scan the sky for fall hawk migration activities; the fields and tree lines offer raptors a spot to rest and hunt. Possibilities include Broad-winged, Red-tailed, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks.
A joint effort between NJ Audubon Society, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and Hunterdon County is underway to convert some of the agricultural fields to warm season grass for the benefit of grassland nesting species. Check out the progress of this work begun in 2007.
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