Nature
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When Cornelius May christened Barnegat Inlet “Barendegat” or “Breakers Inlet” in 1614, a vast maritime forest covered the barrier islands of New Jersey. Today, only small pockets of this habitat remain, including one of the last remnants on Long Beach Island at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. Behind the protection of the primary dunes, American holly, black cherry, sassafras, Eastern red cedar, shadbush, and hackberry form a dense canopy that provides resting and feeding habitat for many species of birds during migration. In spring and fall, these forests host colorful migratory birds, and the trail also passes a variety of barrier island plants before emerging to coastal birds such as gulls, oystercatchers, brown pelicans, terns, and black skimmers, with peregrine falcons frequenting the top of “Ol’ Barney.”
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Barnegat Light, New Jersey · United States
