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Trail Guides
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Deer Path Park and Round Mountain Section
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10
 
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West Woodschurch Road, Readington Township, NJ
Phone: (908) 782-1158
www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/ParkAreas/DeerPath/info.htm
Hunterdon County
Return to Route 31 North via Bartles Corner Road, and proceed north by turning Right at the traffic light. After approximately 1.4 miles, take the exit for W. Woodschurch Road (follow signs for Deerpath Park). After 0.5 miles turn Right into the driveway for the park. Continue 0.4 miles to end of driveway to main parking area. Map
On the Round Mountain Loop, a bench with a view offers respite. It is approximately half way around the loop, about a 30-minute walk from the parking area.
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| Baltimore Oriole | Scott Elowitz |
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| | Deer Path Park is a well-maintained recreational park. The majority of habitat is open field, with a three-acre spring-fed pond that supports bass, catfish and sunfish. There are gardens, gazebos and pavilions, complete with grills for picnics. The Round Mountain Section is much more remote and less used. It includes a coniferous forest planted in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), as well as small meadows and a patch of deciduous forest. A nice loop trail exists in both sections of the park. The Peter Buell Trail connects to the Round Mountain loop, and traverses Round Mountain to a parking area on Foothill Road. This trail is an excellent hike for those seeking solitude.
the pond during spring for migrant birds; this can be a hot spot.
Great Horned Owl has been known to nest in the Round Mountain section of the park; look for whitewash on the trees and for owl pellets, the regurgitated fur and bones from the owl’s meals. Enjoy the collection of wintering birds such as White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Tree Sparrow. These winter residents can be found along with year-round species like Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird and Northern Cardinal. Listen for woodpecker drumming; Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated can be found. They drum in order to maintain contact and establish territories.
This is an excellent park to see migrating birds, and the parks department often hosts early morning bird walks here; call the office for information. Occasionally, the pond attracts rare waterfowl; it routinely hosts Great Blue Heron and Tree Swallows. Wood Duck, one of the few cavity-nesting ducks, may be nesting in the southern end past the spillway. Common Yellowthroat, Yellow and Yellow-rumped Warblers are a common sight throughout the park. Check in the forested area at the northern-end of the pond for American Redstart and Black-and-white Warbler, along with other migrants. Cedar Waxwing may be found in the cedar trees to the east. Spring is also a great time to see and hear amphibians in the pond, like American toad, green frog and especially bellowing bullfrog.
Eastern Meadowlark has nested in the first field in the Round Mountain Section in years past. Although their numbers have dropped in recent years it might still be possible to see them. American Kestrel take advantage of the nesting boxes that have been installed. Look to the electrical tower and wires where they may be perched along with raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk and Cooper’s Hawk, which has been known to nest near the pond. Check the pond, particularly past the spillway, for the dramatically plumaged Wood Duck.
Field habitats are full with blooming goldenrod; look for Monarch butterflies nectaring. Interspersed in the goldenrod is ragweed, a fairly inconspicuous, green-flowered plant responsible for most people’s fall hay fever. Fall migrants are possible; Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided or Magnolia Warblers, as well as Broad-winged and Red-tailed Hawks can all be seen here.
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