I've always been curious about this location named Pigeon Swamp. My curiosity brought me to this mostly unknown and un-visited park over 20 years ago and I have yet to see as much as a mourning dove let alone pigeon. But, still, this area is an amazing mix of plants, trees, wildlife and history.
Pigeon Swamp State Park is a patchwork of undeveloped lands in South Brunswick. The swamp is part of the Lawrence Brook watershed and is consists of a mix of habitats, including open ponds and uplands hardwood forests. It is a good example of an inner coastal plain and lowland deciduous hardwood forest, and has a diverse array of wild life (including bears) and plant life. To the north is the history The Van Dyke farm and to the west was Davidson's Mill Pond.
History:
In the 18th century Pigeon swamp was a major nesting site for passenger pigeons, while many people associate the name of the park with the now extinct bird, the name actually comes from one of the original land owners Ann Pidgeon. She was the daughter of Jeremiah Basse, who was the first governor of West and East Jersey in 1698. In 1780, the New Jersey Legislature raised a tax to build farmland on Pigeon Swamp and attempt to drain Pigeon Swamp by digging “The Great Ditch”. You can still see this feature on the landscape and on topo maps on the southern portion of the swamp. The 1876 New Jersey Atlas list the area as Woodsville. In 1882 Woodside, Woodsville and Pigeon Swamp were common names for the area. It was around this time, the state gave up efforts to keep the swamp drained and stopped maintaining “The Great Ditch”.
On the maps of the early 20th century the area is referred to Rhode Hall with the park area being called Pigeon Swamp. In the early 1970’s effort began to turn 2,600 acres unprotected wetland into a state park. The park comprises a large number of land plots, owned by the state of New Jersey and managed by its Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry. In 1976, the area was given National Natural Landmark designation.
Trees and Plants:
Pigeon Swamp has a very diverse spread of flora and fauna. On your walk to this cache you will see many instances of sweetgum, red maple, pin oak, American beech, birch, chestnut, sassafras and black gum trees. Along the lake you will see the typical water plants, including broad-leaved cattail, swamp dock, and various lily pads. While the deer have done a good job as clearing the understory of the forest, you can still see patches of multiflora rose, golden bells and blueberry. Along with the usual small Central Jersey plants of mustard, mugwort, Queen Anne’s lace, jewelweed and violet.
Wildlife:
The skies are filled with Red Tailed Hawks, Swanson’s Hawk and Cooper’s Hawks have been spotted. As you walk along the shore line you’ll be sure to see dozens to hundreds of frogs and toads. When I placed this cache I saw two little brown (DeKay) snakes along the forest edge. You will also see the usual wildlife suspect of deer, wood chucks, beavers and maybe a black bear!
About your visit:
The park is undeveloped land, with no facilities. At the parking location is an old beat up sign that says, "State Property, No Trespassing", I've confirmed with the NJDEP and NJSPF that this sign was originally for motor vehicle traffic, as there user to be a dirt road to the lake. Hike, hunting, fishing and geocaching are permitted. Deer and small game hunting in the park follow the posted seasons, so be sure to wear Blaze Orange while visiting. The trails are mostly old ATV trails and are somewhat beat up. After rain there will be large puddle that you will have to navigate around. I would recommend that you wear good trail shoes or hiking boots.
Have fun and enjoy the hunt!
References:
http://nynjctbotany.org/njiptofc/pigeon.html
http://southbrunswick.patch.com/articles/south-brunswicks-agricultural-past
http://southbrunswick.patch.com/articles/the-survival-of-pigeon-swamp
http://www.daytonvillage.org/history/sbhistory.htm
This cache is certified Central Jersey!
