Welcome to Holly Path at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary

Welcome to Holly Path at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. A slice of South Jersey's past:. To wander along Holly Path is to step back in time. The path winds through an old-growth Atlantic Maritime Forest, across ancient dunes and among groves of sassafras, holly, and cedar. Holly Path is full of life; a quiet walk reveals the forest at work - songbirds calling, thrushes and sparrows rustling in the fallen leaves, herons squawking, and insects buzzing. If you're fortunate, you might spy a Brown Creeper sneaking up the side of a tree, or catch a glimpse of a Winter Wren disappearing into the underbrush. Neotropical migrants move through here as well, briefly interrupting their seasonal journeys to seek sustenance and shelter beneath the protective canopy.

Holly Path - A Symbol of Success
Holly Path is a tribute to the success of the Sanctuary Restoration Program started in 2005. Once a thriving heronry, the birds relocated in the late 1990s. Removing invasive plants and planting native species may be encouraging their return: In recent years, growing numbers of Black-crowned Night-Herons have been seen roosting through the summer within the Sanctuary, most notably around Holly Path. Great Egrets and Green Herons are becoming more active in this area as well. In order to limit disturbance and encourage these birds to nest here, Holly Path is seasonally closed from March 1 to October 1 each year.

Sanctuary Rules

• Open dawn to dusk
• Do not touch, feed, or move wildlife
• No dogs or other pets allowed in the Sanctuary
• No smoking, no bikes
• Please stay on paths to protect habitat and avoid poison ivy

For more information about the Sanctuary, visit our website at stoneharborbirdsanctuary.com