Delaware Reserve

St. Jones River - Delaware

Fauna (Animal Life)

Nearly 100 species of birds may be found on the reserve site at certain times of the year. Ducks, geese, wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, upland game birds and songbirds all utilize the reserve. Particular importance is attached to black duck, mallard, gadwall, bluewinged teal, wood duck, bobwhite quail, ringnecked pheasant, American woodcock, mourning dove and recently reintroduced turkey, because of their importance as game birds and their occurrence as nesting species in the wetlands and upland fringe.

Avian species such as the blacknecked stilt, black tern, American avocet and black skimmer are relative newcomers to the area. Important raptors have been seen on the site, including osprey, peregrine falcon, Cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, Northern harrier (marsh hawk) and great horned owl. In addition, at least 11 species of warblers and over 20 species of shorebirds frequent the site in varying numbers during migration periods.

All mammals common in Delaware can be found in the wetlands and forest fringes of the Lower St. Jones River. White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, raccoon, red fox, opossum and woodchuck are abundant, as well as muskrat, mink and otter. Many reptiles and amphibians occur on the component. Six species of turtles, several types of snakes, frogs, toads and salamanders have been seen on the component.

Peregrine Falcons and the threatened Bald Eagles have been sighted at the reserve.