Wildlife

The 32 acres where Skyway Park is located had been, for the most part, untouched since it was cleaned up decades ago. That is no longer the case.

While sections of the site had been reclaimed by nature, recently the entire site has been cleared of vegetation as part continuing efforts at remediation.

On the trail behind the warehouse, tthe body of a dead skunk was photographed. It was probably dropped there by a great horned owl. or other predator. Like skunks, owls are nocturnal and skunks are among their preferred prey. The skunk remains did not smell, as it is their spray that is potent and the desiccated remains would have lost most of its odor anyway. A small hissing snake was also photographed in the area.

Given its location on the shore of the Hackensack River, Skyway Park is an excellent spot for birding. There is a bald eagles nest across the river at the southern end of Kearny Point. It is not uncommon to see these eagles flying over Skyway Park. Ducks, geese and other waterfowl are commonly spotted where the river meets Sip Creek. Hawks are often seen, swooping over the site. Peregrine falcon have been seen a number of times. The marshy area within the park is typically filled with songbirds. So far, 51 species have been identified at Skyway Park, according to E-Bird, the website of the Cornell Ornithology Lab: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L16694799?yr=all

When the park is completed and open to the public, we expect some of this wildlife to disappear from the site. But we hope that enough of the park remains wild and can serve as habitat for these creatures.