Refuge appoints a new Trustee
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Navin Sasikumar as a Trustee on the Council of Trustees. Navin, a software engineer by trade, is a vegan and an enthusiastic admirer and protector of wildlife. He is particularly interested in birds and spends much of his free time observing and photographing them. We look forward to his involvement with the Refuge.

Surge in visitors and volunteers
The COVID-19 situation has been tragic in many respects. Locally, however, it seems to have stimulated people to seek time in natural habitats like the Refuge. We have had numerous visitors over the last few months, more than usual for the time of year. People have been able to spend time enjoying the thriving habitat here and getting to see many of the animals and plants in residence.

We have also had people volunteer with some of the ongoing projects at the Refuge. One of the most important is keeping our many trails cleared enough for relatively easy access by visitors. Two of the recent volunteers to help with this included Alyssa Condell and Jacob Safier, pictured here. We are grateful for their generosity in taking the time and effort to work on this never-ending task. If you are interested in helping with this rewarding work or other projects, please contact Jen, our manager, at 856.697.3541 or via E-mail to manager@unexpectedwildliferefuge.org.

Migratory birds to lose legal protection
Unexpected Wildlife Refuge is dismayed to learn that the Trump administration is pushing forward with plans to remove protections for migratory birds. The 100-year old Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a landmark law that protects many bird species from unauthorized hunting and from being harmed or killed by industrial operations, thus helping to their restore populations. Under the Act, bird deaths caused by industry are treated as potential criminal violations, rather than accidents. Migratory birds are increasingly threatened by land development, habitat loss and climate change. With more than 1,000 species covered under the law, billions of birds could die as a result of this vital protection being removed.

Unexpected Wildlife Refuge welcomes a large population of birds, such as the cedar waxwing, who stop at the Refuge each year on their way to their seasonal homes.

Threat to US national wildlife refuges
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed new and expanded hunting and fishing 'opportunities' at 97 national wildlife refuges and nine national fish hatcheries. The proposal would cover more than 2.3 million acres and represents the largest single expansion of hunting and fishing on federal properties in FWS history.

In New Jersey, the proposal would expand existing fishing to new areas in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (EBFNWR), more than 47,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitats and wetlands.

We need to extend the protection of wildlife at our national refuges, not increase opportunities to kill the animals, making a mockery of the designation as "refuges".

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.

'Drivers of change': beavers released on National Trust land to ease flooding risk As ecosystem engineers the beavers will develop wetland habitat, increasing the variety and richness of wildlife in the local landscape. Their presence in our river catchments is a sustainable way to help make our landscape more resilient to climate change and the extremes of weather it will bring.

Dam fine: estate owners across UK queue up to reintroduce beavers A YouGov poll this week found overwhelming public support for reintroducing beavers into Britain, with 76% of people supporting the idea, by far the most popular mammal for reintroductions ahead of the wild cat, wolf and lynx.

Beavers cut flooding and pollution and boost wildlife populations Beavers have alleviated flooding, reduced pollution and boosted populations of fish, amphibians and other wildlife, according to a five-year study of wild-living animals in Devon. The report, which will help the government decide whether to allow wild beavers to return to England after being hunted to extinction more than 400 years ago, concludes that the species has brought measurable benefits to wildlife and people.

The furry ecosystem engineers of the Copper River Delta After many years, the dams created by these furry engineers have created new habitats for other plants and animals.

Please take action to help endangered and threatened plants in New Jersey
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.

New Jersey has more than 2,000 native plant species and nearly 700 of them are considered rare. 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.

It is crucial that any endangered or threatened species, whether animal or plant, is given protection. Please join us in helping New Jersey's rare plants. Contact your state Senators and Assembly representatives and urge them to support the New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Plant Protection Act, Assembly Bill 985.

If you do not know who your state legislators are or how to contact them, click here for the legislative contact Web page.

New Jersey must ban wildlife killing contests
Colorado has become the latest state to end wildlife killing contests. This is great news for wildlife and demonstrates the growing opposition to these cruel events, where participants compete for cash or other prizes for killing wild animals, including bobcats, coyotes, foxes, prairie dogs and squirrels. Colorado now joins Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Mexico and Vermont to have some form of a ban on wildlife killing contests.

However, these cruel wildlife killing contests continue to take place in New Jersey. Here is how you can help to stop this:

• Sign and share the petition calling for an end to them: End ALL New Jersey Wildlife Killing Contests
• Contact your state legislators and politely urge them to support S3541 and A5224 when they come up for a vote; if you do not know who your state legislators are or how to contact them, click here for the legislative contact Web page
• If you do not live in New Jersey, please write the legislators in your state and urge them to introduce legislation to ban killing contests. You can also sign the above petition to show your support.

Keep saying NO to bear hunting in New Jersey
We need to keep up the pressure on this issue. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy promised us he would put an end to bear hunting, but has not fulfilled this assurance. Please continue to contact Governor Murphy and politely urge him to prohibit bear hunting on all land in NJ, not just public land:

E-mail: https://nj.gov/governor/contact/
Telephone: 609.292.6000
Tweet: @GovMurphy #savenjbears

Story of the bumblebee and the wild daffodil
Our new Headquarters building offers a wonderful view of many of the animals and plants living at the Refuge. In early spring, we are often greeted with the early blooming wild daffodil, a brightly colored and hardy insect-pollinated plant. Early flowers are beneficial to many insects including hungry bumblebee queens having recently emerged from hibernation. After about six months of hibernating this bumblebee likely had very little energy until she clung to this wild daffodil taking her first sips of nectar. These early sources of food are crucial so that she may fly off in search of a nest site and start her colony. In return, the daffodil benefits from her 'service' of pollination.

Canada goose and belted kingfisher share the main pond
This tree stump in our main pond is very often a hot spot of activity at the Refuge. On this particular day, a belted kingfisher perched atop the stump as a Canada goose stood in the adjacent shallow water. Canada geese mate for life and it is likely that his mate was off camera nearby, perhaps at a nesting site. His neighbor, the belted kingfisher, is known for a high rattling call, double peaked crest of head feathers and thick bill. Kingfishers are often seen hovering (on rapidly beating wings) or perched above water. After spotting a fish with her keen eyesight, she will plunge headfirst into the water to catch her meal.

Dusky salamander burrows out of sight
We do not often have the opportunity to see salamanders at the Refuge given their cryptic nature. They are generally burrowed under logs or hidden beneath rocks in the water. One of the many amphibian species at the Refuge, requiring water for many important parts of their life cycle, the dusky salamander prefers streams, muddy areas and forests with water nearby. Belonging to the lungless salamander family, they absorb oxygen through their skin as well as tissue in the mouth and throat. After our brief encounter, this individual quickly burrowed back into the soil before we could get a better photo. You can see, however, that his tail is rounded and blunt (left end of body), indicating a previous injury. Luckily for them, salamanders are capable of regenerating tails and limbs (and even parts of major organs).

Fowler's toad at Miller Pond
This Fowler's toad seen hopping around the banks of Miller Pond is one of three species of toads found in New Jersey. Unlike the similar American toad who has one or two bumps per dark spot on their back, Fowler's toads have three or more bumps per spot. Though not unusual to see toads about during the day, it is also likely that she would be hiding in a burrow or nestled beneath forest debris. When the sun sets, she will then be more active, foraging for insects. Although more highly active after a heavy rainfall, Fowler's toads are often encountered on roads, even on dry nights. It is always a slow and careful drive into the Refuge, especially at or past dusk when toads abound.

Female harlequin darner dragonfly along Cedar Bridge Trail
Cedar Bridge Trail, one of our more central trails in the heart of the Refuge, afforded us the opportunity to observe this elusive swamp denizen, the harlequin darner dragonfly. We observed her perched vertically on this tree (a common habit of the species), blending well with the bark given her pale geometric markings. Male harlequins have more yellow-green markings and bright yellow-green eyes. Active from late April through July, this species prefers sunny forest edges, meadows and swampy pools. Darners are a specific family of dragonfly, containing the largest dragonflies found in North America. The harlequin darner, however, is in the 'pygmy' genus (Gomphaeschna), and is quite small for darners.

Northern cricket frog along Bluebird Trail
We spotted this northern cricket frog while hiking the boardwalk over a section of stream on Bluebird Trail. Although a member of the tree frog family, this species is not arboreal. The frogs, however, are excellent swimmers and can often be found in large groups around the edges of slow-moving, permanent bodies of water, of which the Refuge offers many. Very small frogs, measuring only 19-38 mm, they are named for their high-pitched call which sounds like pebbles being clicked together, much like a cricket. Their varied dorsal coloration includes grays, greens and browns, often in irregular patterns, making each individual unique.

Red-winged blackbird on vegetation in Miller Pond
This male red-winged blackbird rests peacefully on a vegetation mass in Miller Pond. Perhaps he is taking a break from patrolling and fending off intruders with his territorial displays, part of which includes highlighting his red shoulder patch that is bordered in yellow. The male color pattern alone earned the species their name, as females are brown and heavily streaked. Males secure breeding territories in early spring while females stay lower in vegetation gathering food and constructing their intricate nests. Red-winged blackbirds are prevalent at the Refuge and we enjoy observing them and their behaviors.

Rough green snakes mating near the main trail
While doing trail maintenance on our main trail, we witnessed two rough snakes in the initial stages of mating. Our first awareness of their presence was hearing the male slithering and weaving about in the vegetation nearby. Soon thereafter, we saw the female and quickly realized that they were intertwining. We were lucky enough to be able to take some photos without disturbing them. Rough green snakes are an arboreal species, often found in dense vegetation, likely near water. They are called 'rough' because of the keels on their scales (contrast this with the related smooth green snake). Their long slender shape and bright green body provides excellent camouflage among tangled vegetation. They mate in the spring; females will lay 4-6 eggs in early summer and young will emerge by late summer or early fall.

Tree as a source of nourishment for sapsuckers and fungi
Relationships involving members of diverse species are present and essential. This tree near the eastern boundary of the Refuge is providing habitat and a food source for a variety of life. The spaced vertical rows of holes are from sapsuckers, a species of woodpecker, who use their beaks to drill holes through tree bark to feed on sap. To the right, also in vertical rows, you can see a species of fungus benefiting from the nutrient rich environment provided by the tree. The base of the tree, often shaded and damp, also provides an ideal microhabitat for moss growth.

White-tailed deer 'caught' on camera at a watering site
One of our trail cameras captured this sequence of some of the white-tailed deer residents at the Refuge. Although a thin layer of ice had formed, the deer were likely stopping by for a drink of water from this spot behind the main pond. Likely mother and yearling, the difference in snout length can be a good indicator of age. Female fawns usually stay with their mothers for two years, while bucks leave after a year. As the name suggests, white-tailed deer have a characteristic white underside to their tail which they raise when alarmed. They also have horizontally oriented elliptical pupils which may allow for a panoramic view of their environment, something important for these 'prey' animals.

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. The theme for this issue of the newsletter is fungi. 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.

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.

Outrage over beaver killings in Scotland: Last year we reported the good news that, after years of persecution, the European beaver (Castor fiber) had been added to the list of European Protected Species of Animals in Scotland, meaning that it would become an offense to kill, injure or capture the animals. This new protection, however, did not prevent the granting of a license by the authorities to use lethal means if it considers it necessary. In response to a recent freedom of information request, it has been revealed that, shockingly, around one hundred beavers have been legally killed. The unofficial persecution of this keystone species has, it appears, simply been replaced by sanctioned killing, something we find abhorrent and unacceptable.

Please send polite E-mail to the following, calling on the Sottish Government to implement a national strategy that will protect and conserve beaver populations using humane methods of control:

• E-mail: CabSecECCLF@gov.scot: Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
• E-mail: ceo@nature.scot: Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive and Accountable Officer, Scottish National Heritage

Further information: https://theferret.scot/beavers-killed-tayside-scottish-natural-heritage

Call on YouTube to stop hosting channels that promote cruelty and violence against monkeys:

YouTube is allowing content that promotes animal abuse and cruelty for 'sport and entertainment' purposes on its platform, in particular videos depicting the tormenting and cruel treatment of baby monkeys.

Despite having what appears to be a strong policy with regards to what content is not acceptable, and the grounds on which a complaint can be made, "Content where there is infliction of unnecessary suffering or harm deliberately causing an animal distress", submitting a complaint is not straightforward and YouTube has continued to allow shocking footage to remain. By permitting such content on their platform, YouTube is complicit in promoting animal cruelty and abuse, and even making it profitable for some.

What you can do to help:

• Please sign this petition and share widely: Call on YouTube to stop hosting channels that promote cruelty and violence against monkeys
• Contact YouTube directly, with a letter or E-mail:
• Google LLC, D/B/A YouTube, 901 Cherry Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066 USA
• YouTube fax (US): +1 650.253.0001
• YouTube (Google) news media contact: press@google.com
• Ms Susan Wojcicki, Chief Executive Officer: susan@google.com

Daisy the elephant free, but 2,500 others continue to suffer in captivity in India: An elephant known as Daisy, living in captivity in Delhi, India, was sent to a sanctuary in April of this year. Although this is wonderful news for Daisy, there are thousands more elephants imprisoned in India. The Indian government must grant these elephants the same freedom and end this barbaric situation.

Please sign and share this petition: Daisy the Elephant Was Freed From a Life of Torture, But 2,500 Elephants Still Suffer

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