Pennsville in Pennsville Township in Salem County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pea Patch Island Heronry
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
1. Pea Patch Island Heronry Marker
Pea Patch Island Heronry is the largest Atlantic Coast nesting ground north of Florida for wading birds. Originally a dredge disposal site, this vegetated high ground has been a nesting habitat for nine species of wading birds since the 1970s. It is one of the few protected areas available for these birds. Pea Patch Island supports between 5,000 and 12,000 breeding pairs annually.
Wading birds are highly social and thrive in noisy crowded colonies. However, the habitat available for these birds is being threatened by oil spills, industrial pollution, and pesticides. Protecting the heronry is critical to the survival of these species. By observing the population of these wading birds, the health of the wetland can be determined. A low population can be an early warning sign of environmental changes in these areas.
The heronry shares Pea Patch Island with historic Fort Delaware. It is a designated nature preserve with limited access and is managed by the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Science & Medicine.
Location. 39° 36.129′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Wilmington, in South Jersey, and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Welcome (a few steps from this marker); Pea Patch Island (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Two Batteries in one (about 600 feet away); The Wharf (about 600 feet away); Battery Arnold (about 700 feet away); Generator Room (about 700 feet away);
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2009
2. Pea Patch Island
The Heronry is seen here on Pea Patch (at right). Fort Delaware, visible at the left, served as a Confederate POW Camp during the Civil War.
More about this marker. The top of the marker features a picture of some of the birds found in the Pea Patch Island Heronry. A sidebar identifies each bird:
Wading Birds of Pea Patch Heronry
A. Great Blue Heron
B. Black-Crowned Night Heron
C. Little Blue Heron
D. Great Egret
E. Snowy Egret
F. Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
G. Cattle Egret
H. Louisiana or Tri-Colored Heron (juvenile and adult)
I. Glossy Ibis
The right side of the marker describes the habits of the birds found here:
Nesting Heights
The different species of birds in the heronry tend to nest at different heights. Here are the approximate nest heights for each species.
Great Blue Heron 50 feet (tall trees)
Great Egret 40 feet (tall trees)
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron 30 feet (small trees)
Black-Crowned Night Heron 15 feet (small trees)
Snowy Egret 5 feet (shrubs)
Cattle Egret 3 feet (shrubs)
Tri-Colored Heron 2 feet (shrubs)
Little Blue Heron 1˝ feet (shrubs)
Glossy Ibis (low shrubs)
Additional commentary.
1. About the marker
This sign was included in the database before guidelines were tightened for signs that exclusively interpret natural history. This marker remains published for posterity.
— Submitted October 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
