Spruce Run Recreation Area
New Jersey · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
$5-$10 parking (seasonal)
Open daily, 8 AM to dusk
About This Location
Spruce Run Recreation Area is a productive birding destination in New Jersey, with 300 species recorded on eBird. This boreal/taiga habitat attracts Canada Goose, American Wigeon, and Common Merganser among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Northern Harrier
Circus hudsonius
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Willet (Western)
Tringa semipalmata
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo
Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Mourning Dove
Killdeer
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Birding Tips
- 1
Listen for boreal specialties like Boreal Chickadee and Spruce Grouse.
- 2
Check spruce and fir stands for crossbills and other irruptive finches.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Check eBird hotspot data before visiting to see recent sightings and what species are being reported.
- 5
Bring quality optics — a good pair of binoculars (8x42 or 10x42) makes all the difference in species identification.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Round Valley Recreation Area
- Clinton Red Mill Museum
- Spruce Run Reservoir
More in New Jersey
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