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Bears and hiking with a dog off leash at MCR – NOT a good idea
Bears, Bears and more Bears at MCR! Lots of bear activity at MCR over the past few weeks which means it’s a good time to remind visitors how important it is to KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH at all times while you visit MCR. NOTE: shock collars are NOT a leash and are not...
Vandals cut native sumac trees on the slope at the IO Tower parking lot here at MCR – why?
Native vegetation is very important to both wildlife and to help with other ecosystem services on the landscape. Unfortunately, it was recently discovered that vandals cut native sumac trees on the slope at the IO Tower parking lot here at MCR. These plants are very...
The MCR Eagle that went VIRAL!
Amazing video was captured by a fisherman at MCR, Mr. Jacob Stem, of one of our resident eagles catching and ‘landing’ a very big fish! Since Jacob Stem's post of the MCR eagle, his video got over 35.2 million views! We currently are monitoring 2 nests at MCR that...
Fishing, fun, family and friends with The Arc of Warren County and MCR
A great morning of fishing, fun, family and friends was had by all this past Saturday at Merrill Creek Reservoir as the Merrill Creek Conservation & Sportsmen Association (MCCSA) hosted a fishing outing for The ARC of Warren County. Clients of The Arc enjoyed...
The MCR Squirrel Jacuzzi
Apparently MCR has a squirrel jacuzzi. This furry friend took “splooting” to a new level by relaxing pool-side and dipping half its body in the water at the top of the bubbling water feature in our bird feeder garden. Squirrels have adopted a unique way to cool off...
Neo-tropical migrant bird species back at MCR!
Many neo-tropical migrant bird species are now back at MCR, such as this Scarlet Tanager seen along Fox Farm Road. Breeding Scarlet Tanagers prefer forest with mature trees. However, they forage and bring their young to feed in shrubby young forest areas where there...
Non-biting midges are here!
They’re here! If anyone has visited the shores of Merrill Creek Reservoir in the past few weeks you no doubt encountered swarms of non-biting midges. These insects, as their name suggests, do not bite or sting, but do cause an annoyance with their shear numbers. They...
A Visitor From the North
February 23, 2019 Bird watchers were treated to a wonderful opportunity to observe a visitor from the north this winter. A boreal chickadee was first seen by a couple who were sitting inside the Visitor Center watching the activity at the bird feeders on February 23,...
Reducing Fishing Line Litter
March 2019 On Saturday morning, March 9th, a small group of people were gluing together pieces of PVC piping in one of the classrooms at the Merrill Creek Visitors Center. Starting with a two-foot section of four-inch piping, volunteers attached a cap to the bottom,...
Forest Management in MCR Environmental Preserve
February 27, 2017 Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) staff is working with New Jersey Audubon Forester, Don Donnelly to re-forest an area of the Environmental Preserve.The area encompasses a peninsula of land where volunteers and other naturalists conduct ecological...