New Jersey Kayaking

Birds

These are some birds you are likely to see around the water.

Ospreys & Eagles

Osprey

Osprey - note the under-wing patterning, see Bald Eagle below

Ospreys, or "Fish Hawks", are surprisingly common, and can be found just about anywhere. You'll typically see them flying high over the water from a tree on one side to a tree on the other, occasionally diving down on some unlucky fish. Ospreys are usually seen alone, but mating pairs stay together, and I think young siblings stay together for a while as well. Ospreys are one of the biggest birds that you are likely to see. A single species has an almost worldwide distribution - pretty much everywhere except Australia.

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Egrets & Herons

These are all long-legged, long-necked wading birds typically seen near the water's edge. They will tolerate your approach to a point, and then fly away - one of the advantages of being a bird.

Snowy Egret

The Snowy Egret is very easy to spot, because it makes no attempt at camouflage, and stands out in any environment. They make up for this by being rather wary, although I have seen individuals beg for food from fishermen, a learned behavior that is not common. The Snowy Egret is very common; it would be difficult to go out kayaking and not spot at least one.

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Ducks, Geese, Swans

Mallard Duck

Female above, male below

There are many kinds of wild ducks, and even more types of domesticated ducks, but the Mallard is a good representative of all. Ducks are harmless. Bring some bread along, I never met a duck that didn't expect to be fed.

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Swifts & Swallows

These are small birds that are often seen over water. They both feed on flying insects, which they catch on the wing, and over water seems to be a good place to do that. At night, these birds are replaced by bats, doing the same thing. You are unlikely to get a good look at any of these, as they are all very fast and agile fliers.

Chimney Swift

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Wildlife,

Waterways

Waterways
( 40.07788, -74.59600 )

Here is a map you can use to see just water features. The level of detail increases as you zoom in. The boundary lines have been deleted, as they often follow and obscure water features. It is interesting to trace the rivers to their headwaters.

In the north, the state's two largest river systems are the Passaic and the Raritan, which intertwine. In the south, the Mullica forms a sizable river system. Only one river originates in New Jersey and leaves the state - the Walkill in the north. All others are captured by either the Delaware or the Hudson, or the extensive southern bays. The orange line is approximately the dividing line between east (Hudson/Atlantic) and west (Delaware River) drainages. The red line is the "fall line" - the boundary between the Piedmont uplands and Atlantic coastal plain. And that's your lesson in hydrology.

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