NJ-Atlantic+City--Absecon+Inlet


 * =Birding in New Jersey=

Atlantic County
=Absecon Inlet= Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401 Absecon Inlet Important Bird Area web page

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Atlantic City--Absecon Inlet
Coordinates: 39.3640323, -74.4074392 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Absecon Inlet Important Bird Area
The open waters and sandy beaches of Absecon Inlet are bordered by Atlantic City’s high-density development to the south and by Brigantine’s dense residential development to the north. The estimated 260 acres of remnant beach and dune habitat located along the northern edge of the inlet are, consequently, extremely important to breeding and migrating birds. Beyond the open waters of Absecon Inlet lie the vast tidal salt marshes and creeks of Absecon Wildlife Management Area and the Brigantine Division of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. The site intersects the Brigantine Island Natural Heritage Priority Site, designated by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as some of the state’s most significant natural areas.

Absecon Inlet provides breeding and foraging habitat for Black Skimmers and American Oystercatchers. Shorebirds also depend heavily on the area throughout spring and fall migration. Large concentrations of shorebirds utilize the site in the fall with peak numbers of over 150 Willets, 50 Marbled Godwits, 750 Black Skimmers and 250 American Oystercatchers. Royal Terns are also present during this time of the year.

Although the beaches are clean and wide, the swift tidal waters flowing through the inlet naturally cause severe erosion. Efforts to control erosion in this area have been unsuccessful. In addition to direct loss of habitat, declines in beach-nesting birds can also be attributed to human disturbance, including vehicles on the beach, and predation by small mammals and gulls. Fencing and nest exclosures help to protect birds during the breeding season. Recreational use of the area should be prohibited at critical times of the year as well. From Absecon Inlet Important Bird Area web page

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media type="custom" key="28385897" || L1043476 US US-NJ US-NJ-001 39.3640323 -74.4074392 Atlantic City--Absecon Inlet