A male Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) was spotted and photographed on May 10, 2026 at Merrill Creek Reservoir by visitor Kristin Mylecraine, PhD!
Considered one of the rarest and most critically endangered native warblers that breeds in New Jersey, the Golden-winged Warbler has been listed as a State Endangered species in New Jersey since 2012. Their population has seen steep declines primarily due to habitat loss as they rely on young forest, shrubby open canopy habitats, and even powerline right-of-ways for nesting in the northern part of the State.
As part of MCR’s State approved Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP), MCR has been implementing ecological forest stewardship practices that creates a more diversified age-class of forest specifically to help improve wildlife species habitat and forest resilience. In some areas of the property (such as along the West side of Fox Farm Road), MCR’s plan calls for activities that will increase young forest habitat that can support a variety of species, like the Golden-winged Warbler, that rely on this critically needed habitat type.
According to the NJ State Wildlife Action Plan there are 135 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in New Jersey (birds, reptiles, insects, mammals) and 39% of NJ listed threatened and endangered wildlife (not including marine animals) that rely on young forest habitat for survival during some portion of their life cycle. Photos by Kristin Mylectaine.