Update on our new headquarters building
Progress on the new headquarters building has been steady. The outer structure is essentially complete, the windows and doors are in, the plumbing and heating have been installed, insulation and drywall are almost finished. Below are some photos that illustrate the progress.

This project has only been possible because of the generosity of you, our supporters. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has already donated.

Since our last newsletter in February, we received an additional $2,000 in donations, but we still need to raise a further $83,000 in order to complete the project. If you have not yet donated – or would like to provide additional funds – we hope you will help us in this time of need:

• send a check to our address: PO Box 765 Newfield, NJ 08344
• use your credit card and our PayPal account
• use your credit card through JustGiving

All donations for this much needed infrastructure will help to ensure long term stability for the Refuge by providing for office space and accommodations for our residential manager. As many of you who have visited the Refuge know, having someone live and work onsite maximizes our ability to protect this wonderful habitat, which provides a unique haven for wildlife, including species officially listed as endangered or threatened in New Jersey.

Our new headquarters building site continues to be a favored spot for several animal species. As you might imagine, while we were removing the original cabin, we came across many animals who lived near or even in the cabin as it had been disused for several months. Most of the animals disappeared as soon as human activity began, but a few had to be moved off the building site. Of those who left of their own accord were a family of groundhogs. We did not see them all winter. Just recently, however, we arrived one morning to find new activity at a burrow entrance next to an old tree stump, which we had protected during demolition and construction in case the groundhogs returned. We look forward sharing the site with the family.

Unexpected Wildlife Refuge manager attends BeaverCON 2020
Our manager, Jen Collins, attended BeaverCON 2020 during which professionals in the field, like Mike Callahan (pictured, and a long-time Refuge supporter), presented the latest information on humanely managing human-beaver conflicts. Topics included the design and construction of different flow devices (including 'deceivers' and pond levelers), tree protection, ecological restoration and the ecological importance of beavers. A keystone species, beavers improve water quality, mitigate climate change, protect the landscape against fire and increase wildlife diversity. Continued education on the latest in conflict management practices helps us protect beavers by assisting the public when potential conflicts arise. If you find yourself or others in 'conflict' with beavers, please contact us at info@unexpectedwildliferefuge.org or call 856.697.3541. You can also avail yourself of the abundant information we have on our Solutions to So-called Problems Caused by Beavers page.

Concerns for public safety due to COVID-19 results in cancellations
Physical distancing guidelines and travel restrictions to reduce the chance of coronavirus spread has resulted in changes for Refuge events and involvement in the coming weeks. The planned Atlantic County Utilities Authority Earth Day Festival for the 26th has been canceled. And we, regrettably, have had to cancel our annual Earth Day Cleanup at the Refuge, but may schedule a similar event later in the year.

Here are some recent news media articles concerning beavers. You can see our entire and growing list, a tribute to this wonderful keystone species, in our Beavers in the News page. If you come across a news item on beavers, please send us the link so that we can consider it for inclusion.

Beaver named Animal of the Year 2020 in Latvia Although we are pleased with this news, it is morally incongruous that Latvia should declare the beaver "Animal of the Year" and still allow hunting of these animals. We hope for a more enlightened position at some point.

DAM! Beavers to be re-introduced in England 500 years after being wiped out by hunters Beaver adaptations can bring enormous benefits to other species, including otters, water shrews, water voles, birds, invertebrates especially dragonflies, and breeding fish. Their dams can hold water in periods of drought, can regulate flooding and improve water quality by holding silt behind dams and catching acidic and agricultural run-off.

From what they eat to where they sleep: Everything you need to know about beavers Beavers provide woodland management by gnawing down trees and stimulating growth - they 'coppice' trees like willow, hazel, rowan and aspen. Where the beavers are being released, we've got an amazing potential for wetland habitat, and the beavers are a massive help in creating that as ecological engineers.

Beavers: Nature's Architects and Engineers More than any other mammal, the industrious and hard working beavers have the greatest impact on water bodies, with their tree harvesting, manipulation and dam building. Beaver ponds naturally produce a huge and beneficial support habitat for everything from invertebrates, fish, crayfish, frogs, newts, snakes and turtles to predators like otters, minks, weasels and bears, as well as osprey, eagles, ducks, geese, etc. so the same factors which seem to make beavers a headache for farmers and land owners, provide a rich biodiversity for the flourishing of a wide range of plants, crustaceans and animals. Beaver ponds act as one of nature’s best filters, removing sediments and pollutants from water, including total suspended solids, total nitrogen, phosphates, carbon and silicates.

Please take action to end wildlife killing contests in NJ
Wildlife killing contests, where people take part in cruel and sickening contests to kill the most and heaviest animals such as coyotes, foxes and squirrels, have already been banned in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Vermont. Other states, including New Jersey, together with New York, Colorado, Maryland, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington, are considering bills or proposed regulations to ban them.

What you can do to end this shocking slaughter of our wildlife:

• If you live in New Jersey, contact your state legislators and urge them to support S3541 and A5224 (if you do not know who your state legislators are or how to contact them, click here for the legislative contact Web page)
• You can also sign and share the petition calling for an end to these killing contests in NJ: End ALL New Jersey Wildlife Killing Contests

Please take action to help endangered and threatened plants in NJ
The New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Plant Protection Act, Assembly Bill 985, which is being co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Herb Conaway (D) and Kevin Rooney (R), has key implications for plants: "Prohibits certain actions relative to endangered and threatened plant species; directs DEP commissioner to take certain actions to protect endangered and threatened plant species."

New Jersey has more than 2,000 native plant species and nearly 700 of them are considered rare. It is crucial that any endangered or threatened species, whether animal or plant, is given protection.

Unexpected Wildlife Refuge is home to many native plant species, including endangered and threatened plants such as Thuja occidentalis (also known as northern white-cedar), which is listed as endangered in New Jersey.

Please join us in helping New Jersey's rare plants. Contact your state Senators and Assembly members and urge them to support the New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Plant Protection Act, Assembly Bill 985.

See the previous entry for how to contact your state legislators.

American mink and north American river otters via trail camera
One of our trail cameras recorded this sequence of events when an American mink fled from two north American river otters one morning. In the entire sequence, the mink appears to be walking along, unaware of the coming otters. She suddenly becomes alert and turns to run away as the first otter runs into the area. You can see the mink in the background, escaping into the swamp to the right. A second otter then appears and seems to become aware that the mink had been present earlier. The mink was 'right' in running away as otters will prey on mink. You can see the entire sequence and more taken by the trail camera that same day in our Photos by trail camera gallery. Note the beaver-gnawed tree on lower right. Although a beaver was 'caught' chewing on the tree (probably for tooth health), it was at night and none of the images was worthy of saving.

Mantis egg cases
You probably know this insect by the common name of 'praying mantis', named as such because of their characteristic pose with front legs raised in front of them as if they were praying. There are several thousand species of this type of insect throughout the world. Although we see members of this group of insects frequently, we have not yet managed to have a camera available at the right time. Recently, Trustee Dave Sauder found several egg cases during one of his many wanders through the Refuge. As you may know, the egg cases start out as creamy, soft entities which quickly firm up. The babies emerge as tiny replicas of the adults in the spring. We look forward to seeing them soon and maybe get a photo or two.

Great egret in pine tree next to main pond
Great egrets can be seen on the Refuge during their breeding season which begins in April or May and ends by late August. During this time, they may nest in isolated pairs or in colonies in trees or shrubs, often over water. Their colonies can consist of other waterbird species, in which case the egrets would nest high, up to 30 meters off the ground. The pond habitat at the Refuge encircled by many species of tall trees offers a desirable nesting area for the egrets. Male and female appear identical and, although not visible here, both grow long, ornamental plumes on their backs which they raise in courtship displays. We cannot be sure who is pictured here, but perhaps he or she is emerging from their high nesting area along the shore of the main pond to take a look around.

Ebony jewelwing damselfly on pickerelweed
The ebony jewelwing damselfly pictured here at the Refuge is the only damselfly species in North America with all black wings. The wings and metallic blue-green body of this individual indicate this is a male, setting him apart from the female whose body is more of a smoky brown with white spots near the tips of her wings. In the warmer months, members of this species might be spotted resting on various plants in their habitat, often wooded streams and ponds. Perched on a leaf of the pickerelweed plant, this male is perhaps guarding a nearby female after they have mated. Mating takes place in the summer, which is also when we will once again get to enjoy the beautiful purple and yellow flowers of the pickerelweed...perhaps with a damselfly or two.

White-tailed deer and wild turkeys enter a trail camera venue
The site we recently chose for one of our trail cameras has yielded an abundance of images. Jen, our manager, sorted through several thousand to find the best for us to keep. In addition to the mink and otters we mentioned earlier, several white-tailed deer showed up one day, milling around the site, nibbling on moss and drinking from the edge of the swamp. A few days later, a small flock of wild turkeys made an appearance. The birds seemed to become a bit confused before continuing on. Note once again the beaver-gnawed tree on lower right.

Red-tailed hawk checks us out
We came upon this red-tailed hawk perched in a tree. Using the telephoto setting on the camera, we were able to get several nice photos without disturbing her too much, although she did look over her shoulder to check out who was encroaching on her territory. One of a variety of birds-of-prey who are regularly seen at the Refuge, the red-tailed hawk is an important part of a healthy ecosystem. Not only do these individuals seek a large variety of live animals as food (perhaps anyone they can catch, including mammals, reptiles, invertebrates), they also eat the bodies of animals who have died of other causes (carrion). It is not uncommon to see one flying with a variety of other, often considerably smaller, birds 'mobbing' them, even at long distances from any of their nesting sites, presumably to ensure the hawk stays away.

Red-bellied woodpecker on pine tree
Trustee Leor Veleanu photographed this male red-bellied woodpecker foraging for insects on a pine tree. The bird was using his bill as a chisel to drill into the bark. Males have more red feathering on their heads, with some around the beak, whereas the red feathers of the female are farther back on the head. One of several woodpecker species here at the Refuge, red-bellied woodpeckers may be confused with their close relative, the red-headed woodpecker, also seen at the Refuge. Although both have red plumage on their heads, in the red-headed woodpecker it completely covers the head. In addition to searching for insects, woodpeckers also use their bills to excavate holes in trees for nesting and roosting, playing an important role for other species at the Refuge such as squirrels and bats who use the cavities as shelter.

Northern mockingbird among dogwood berries
Mockingbirds are always a delight to see and hear at the Refuge. This individual (females and males appear similar except for size) was seen in early March in a budding dogwood tree. We recently learned that mockingbirds apparently can control the gender ratio of their offspring. When food is abundant, males are favored and when the population density is great, females are favored, probably because they are more likely to disperse and not impact on the population. Luckily, all we need to do is provide a protected habitat so that these birds can 'do their thing'.

Fungi growing on tree at Muddy Bog
Always abundant at the Refuge are the vast and varied species of fungi, like those seen here during a hike to Muddy Bog off of our Boundary Trail. These fungi are serving many beneficial functions by decomposing part of the tree, thus supplying other species with much needed nutrients. It is not unusual to see fungi like these growing alongside mosses and lichens, and we often see green algal growth on the bodies of the fungi. The fungi pictured here likely are members of the Trametes genus, but identification of fungal species can be challenging. Less than 5% of the estimated 1.5 million living species of fungi having been described.

Black vultures once again choose cabin barn as nesting site
We were delighted to see this pair of black vultures nesting in the attic of our cabin barn, very likely the same pair from last year. Black vultures lay eggs in caves or hollow trees, seldom more than 3 meters or so off the ground, making the attic an ideal nesting location. They generally do not use nesting materials, but may 'decorate' the area with brightly colored material. Unfortunately, given the propensity of people to litter, this material often comprises bits of plastic and glass or shiny metal like bottle caps. The father and mother will take turns incubating the eggs (usually two per year) with hatchlings emerging after about 4-6 weeks. We will be camera-ready in the hopes of getting some photos when the young fledge later in the season.

A potpourri of plant life at the Refuge Our diverse habitat provides for a great variety of plants. They range from those that live on the ground, thrive in swamps or in open water to those that make other plants their home. We have added substantially to our growing list of photographs, including those of newly identified plants as well for those already in our records, but for which we did not have images. The photos here represent just a few examples of the diversity of species. You can see the full list of the hundreds of species seen at the Refuge in our Plants at the Refuge page on our Web site.

Unwanted vehicles, another way to help the Refuge
Your used or unwanted vehicle can provide funds to us through the CARS vehicle donation program. CARS will accept any vehicle, running or non-running, and offer free towing throughout the United States. Once they have processed and sold the vehicle, they will donate a majority of the proceeds directly to the Refuge.

Call toll-free 855-500-RIDE (855.500.7433) or visit the Refuge CARS page at https://careasy.org/nonprofit/unexpected-wildlife-refuge to participate. Not only does this provide an easy way to be rid of an unwanted vehicle, you will also be helping wildlife at the same time.

Helping wildlife and the Refuge in the future
We remind you to please remember Unexpected Wildlife Refuge when planning your will and estate. It is an easy, effective and lasting way to help the Refuge... and wildlife. When talking with your estate planner, just provide them with our name, address and tax identification number (23-7025010). This is one of the most important gifts the Refuge can receive. If you have already included us in your future plans, thank you!

Here are a few of the current issues where wildlife, whether living freely or imprisoned in circuses, zoos or other venues, can benefit from your help. We urge you to take action and share with others.

Support the call for a global ban on wildlife markets: There have been widespread calls, including from hundreds of animal protection and conservation groups and the United Nations' biodiversity chief, for a global ban on wildlife markets that sell live and dead animals, including threatened and endangered species, for human consumption. At these places, wild animals are confined in cruel, stressful, overcrowded and unhygienic conditions, which can result in virus transmission to people, causing disease outbreaks. It is believed that such a market in Wuhan, China, was the source of the current coronavirus outbreak.

Please support the call by signing and sharing these two petitions:

• Shut down wildlife markets NOW
• More Governments Must Follow China's Example in the Fight Against Coronavirus - Ban All Wildlife Markets

Petition to end the hunting of mountain lions in South Dakota: According to the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, only about 300 mountain lions remain in the state. Incredibly, the Department is allowing the hunting and killing of up to 60 adults!

Please sign and share this petition calling on the Department Secretary of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Agency to stop issuing hunting permits to kill mountain lions:

Stop Murdering Mountain Lions

Ban trophy hunting in South Africa: Thousands of wild animals, including endangered and threatened species such as elephants, giraffes, lions and rhinos, are killed for 'sport' and 'pleasure' every year. Please support the call to South Africa to ban the killing of these iconic and majestic species.

Please sign and share this petition:

It's Time to Ban Trophy Hunting in South Africa

Unexpected Wildlife Refuge
Mailing address: P.O. Box 765, Newfield, New Jersey 08344-0765
Web site: http://unexpectedwildliferefuge.org/
E-mail: info@unexpectedwildliferefuge.org
Telephone: 856.697.3541