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Be Alert for Bears While Hiking this Fall at MCR
Heading into Fall, Black Bears are more active in search of food to put on weight for winter. These days bears will feast on just about anything, but while hiking in NJ this Fall stay alert when in or near areas that have a lot of acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts,...
Hawk Watch Time at MCR!
September is upon us and that means the start of the annual Scott’s Mountain Hawk Watch at Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR)! The “Scott’s Mountain” Hawk Watch, with its easy access and impressive number of raptors (Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, Vultures) counted each...
Eagle Scout Helps with Eagle Viewing at MCR
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. Last week Scout Zack Hardin of Troop 56...
Service Learning with NJ Youth Corps of Phillipsburg at MCR
Conservation is a collaborate effort. So, with a property of about 2,725 acres, various outside entities, (i.e. volunteers, Non-government organizations (NGOs), contractors, government agencies or departments, etc.) are essential to MCR staff efforts of managing and...
Get the Scoop on Poop – Pet Waste and How it can Negatively Impact the Environment at MCR
MCR received an email from a visitor this week, that stated ” I was at Merrill Creek Reservoir this morning (8/12/23) and the trails are full of dog poop. Gross, disgusting, stinky, and nasty. I think MCR should prohibit dogs, since dog owners don't want to clean up...
Fly Eagles Fly Eagles – Two New Bald Eagles Have Fledged at MCR this Season!
Two juvenile Bald Eagles have finally fledged their nests at MCR! Both young eagles appear healthy and can be seen flying over the reservoir foraging or soaring on the winds with their parents! The two juveniles came from separate nests at MCR, however they have...
Driving Golf Balls into the Reservoir is not only Dangerous to Visitors, but also impacts Wildlife and Water Quality!
This past weekend a visitor was found to be driving golf balls off one of the MCR dike trails into the reservoir. Apparently this not the first time that visitors driving golf balls into MCR has occurred, as we have found litter in the form of golf tees and discarded...
MCR’s “Wily” Coyotes
Coyotes are highly intelligent animals that adapt well to changing habitats and conditions and are an important part of the natural world here at MCR. We frequently see them in the early morning and late afternoon, roaming the fields (especially at the fields closest...
Finding Balance in the Forest -Young Forest and Old Growth, its not as “Clear-Cut” as You Think
Merrill Creek Reservoir implements ecological forest stewardship under our State approved Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) (for a list of what must be included and address in a FSP please see this link). Based on data collection, on average our forests at Merrill Creek...
Ecological Forestry Practices at Merrill Creek Reservoir
Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) was once home to the Ruffed Grouse. However, over recent decades the Ruffed Grouse disappeared not only from MCR, but according to NJDFW, the Ruffed Grouse range has been shrinking dramatically in NJ (and in some areas of the State they...