MCR Monthly Newsletter
What’s Hatchn’ing at Merrill Creek Reservoir with Ranger Rich
About the Author: Richard Dansen Sr.
Rich has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in zoology and wildlife management. Rich has been with Merrill Creek Reservoir since 1995 where he teaches environmental education.
You can find Rich each weekend at the MCR visitors center talking about the wonderful wildlife and habitats of MCR. Stop by to say hi!
“In writing this monthly newsletter, I hope to inform and educate readers about some of the wonderful and fascinating events going on in nature at Merrill Creek Reservoir each month. Enjoy!”
– Ranger Rich
May 2025
Wow! Spring arrived in NJ on March 20th….There is so much happening on the land I don’t know where to start!
April showers brought May flowers! Along with the all-important insect and bird pollinators.
Spring Beauty in Bloom
Wildflowers like Spring Beauty, Hepatica, Buttercups, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, May Apples, Rue-anemone, and Skunk Cabbage are all growing and blooming alongside trails in NJ. Some of these tiny pretty flowers won’t be around long as they are “spring ephemerals”! Enjoy them quickly! The buds are on the trees and soon leaves will block the sunlight from reaching the forest floor where tiny ephemeral flowers grow!
Right now, we are in mid-migration time and the beautiful warblers and other neo-topical migrants are arriving again at MCR to add to nature’s palette.
NOTE: WHITE-TAIL DEER starting about May 12th through about June 27th give birth to fawns. Please don’t touch a baby fawn! By instinct the odorless fawn remains motionless while the mother goes off to feed. After giving birth, the mother is physically drained and leaves the newborn and goes off to recuperate and feed and drink so she can produce milk. The fawn is not injured, and mom will be back. Do not touch! If the mom detects a human odor, she may reject the fawn.
Ranger Rich
Merrill Creek Reservoir
34 Merrill Creek Road
Washington, NJ 07882
(908) 454-1213 (ph)
(908) 454-2747 (f)
*Play MCR's Tree Finder Game !
Along the trails at MCR there are 9 different individual trees that have FACES. More Info...
