Egret Espy

Egret Espy. A Path Through and Ancient Maritime Forest.
Atlantic Maritime Forest
The Egret Espy Trail winds through a rare example of Atlantic Maritime Forest. These forests once covered barrier islands but are now rare due to development. The trail traverses the high dune ridges and ends at the tidal. marsh. Ancient trees adapted to wind and salt live here. American Holly, Sassafras, Black Cherry, and Red Cedar dominate the forest. The forest is filled with birds year round.

Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergiana) is a non-native tree that was planted throughout 7 Mile Island following the 1962 storm. They are salt tolerant and were believed to be helpful to preventing erosion of the dunes. They have spread and become detrimental. They push out native vegetation and have become susceptible to disease and have begun to die. Both Stone Harbor and Avalon have dune vegetation management plans that help remove these invaders and reestablish native plants in the dunes. Sanctuary management plans prevent new trees from sprouting and as these trees become diseased they will be removed and replaced with native trees and shrubs.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a species of special concern in the State of NJ and live in the Sanctuary. They inhabit open woodlands and meadows and eat berries, insects, earthworms and snails.

[Inset:]
Box turtles are protected and it is illegal to remove them.
Trall is open dawn to dusk
Please be quiet to allow for the best possible wildlife viewing
Pets are not allowed in the Sanctuary
Please remain on the trail
No bicycles or skateboards allowed on trails
No smoking on any path within the Sanctuary