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Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
   

   
Sanctuary Sightings

There's a lot to see at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary!  Situated in the New Jersey Highlands, the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary encompasses upland deciduous forest, fields, woodland, and floodplain along the headwater of the Passaic River. The diverse habitat is home to over 60 species of nesting birds, many mammals large and small, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies.

For more detailed information on a group of animals, please refer to our Sanctuary Checklists (provided in PDF format below).

Birds

The Sanctuary is home to more than 60 species of nesting birds, and over 175 species have been recorded, including as many as 25 species of warblers during spring migration. Nesting birds of interest include Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, and Great-horned and Screech owls.

Bird Checklist

Spring Migration Arrival Dates  

Butterflies

Butterflies thrive in the fields and forest edge of the 276 acre Sanctuary, especially where the wildflowers are abundant. The Sanctuary is one of the few places in central New Jersey where the Harvester butterfly is frequently found. Spicebush Swallowtail, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Common Wood Nymph are often seen fluttering across the Sanctuary.

Butterfly Checklist
Reptiles and Amphibians

In the winter months all the herptiles (reptiles and amphibians) are dormant, but in the spring the frogs at the Sanctuary begin to call.  The first to emerge are the Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs, which begin calling in March.  They are followed by Green Frogs, and Wood and Box turtles.  In the warmer months, snakes hunt in the meadows.

 Reptile and Amphibian Checklist

Mammals

Mammals large and small roam and tunnel throughout the Sanctuary.  Red Fox, Long-tailed Weasel, Mink, numerous White-tailed Deer, Eastern Chipmunk, Gray and Red squirrels, Coyote, and many other mammals inhabit the diverse habitat at Scherman Hoffman.  Scroll down to watch a video of Red Fox kits on the Sanctuary.

 Mammal Checklist

 

Watch this short video of Red Fox kits playing near their den on the Sanctuary in May, 2009: