Harold N. Peek Preserve

Harold N. Peek Preserve Harold N. Peek Preserve is a 256-acr nature preserve along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River, and is a great place for observing birds.

See our website for more information including our history, a trail map, and hours of operation. Peek Preserve is a 344-acre property along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River. It is home to some of the healthiest wild rice marshes in southern New Jersey (which can be observed up close thanks to the 145-foot boardwalk that extends over the wetlands). Trails lead you through various habitats while

lookout platforms offer opportunities to spot Bald Eagles and many other species. Peek Preserve is owned and managed by non-profit conservation organization Natural Lands. Learn more at www.natlands.org.

The Rosy Maple moth is the smallest of all silk moths, typically boasting a wingspan of just 1.25 to 2 inches. Adults lo...
06/11/2026

The Rosy Maple moth is the smallest of all silk moths, typically boasting a wingspan of just 1.25 to 2 inches. Adults lose their mouthparts entirely and cannot eat. Living for only about a week, their sole purpose is to reproduce.

📸: Brian Johnson

Unlike many turtles that spend time basking in the sun on logs or rocks, snapping turtles prefer to stay submerged in wa...
06/04/2026

Unlike many turtles that spend time basking in the sun on logs or rocks, snapping turtles prefer to stay submerged in water for most of their lives. They are excellent swimmers and often bury themselves in mud or vegetation at the bottom of lakes and ponds, waiting for prey to pass by. The only time they venture onto land is when females lay eggs, typically in sandy or soft soil near water. Snapping turtles cannot heal major injuries to their shells. While small cracks or minor damage may repair over time, a severe injury—such as being hit by a car—can be fatal. This makes road crossings particularly dangerous for them, especially during nesting season when females travel to lay eggs. Please keep an eye out for them when driving on roads near boggy, wet areas!

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

Harold N. Peek Preserve was established in 1992 and expanded in subsequent years. Harold Peek, who lived on the property...
05/28/2026

Harold N. Peek Preserve was established in 1992 and expanded in subsequent years. Harold Peek, who lived on the property with his family for 35 years, was a commercial fisherman who grew up hunting and trapping in the marsh, and harvesting oysters in Delaware Bay. The Peek’s modest home now serves as the New Jersey field office.

In the early part of the 20th century, much of the property was farmland. Dikes that once separated the marsh from the main river channel made it possible for farmers to raise hay, corn, and other crops. Others planted apple orchards, the remnants of which present occasional canoeing obstacles in the river.

📸: Mae Axelrod

Located along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River, the Harold N. Peek Preserve is home to some of the healthiest wild ri...
05/21/2026

Located along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River, the Harold N. Peek Preserve is home to some of the healthiest wild rice marsh in southern New Jersey. This wetland habitat is an excellent place to observe a wide variety of birds, especially migrating waterfowl and raptors.

📸: Mae Axelrod

Eastern Screech-Owls readily use man-made nest boxes. The female doesn’t hunt while on the nest; she and the chicks depe...
05/14/2026

Eastern Screech-Owls readily use man-made nest boxes. The female doesn’t hunt while on the nest; she and the chicks depend on food brought them by the male. Pairs usually are monogamous and remain together for life. Some males, however, will mate with two different females. The second female may evict the first female, lay her own eggs in the nest, and incubate both clutches.

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

A pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can build up to seven nests in a breeding season. They often re-use nest material from ...
05/07/2026

A pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can build up to seven nests in a breeding season. They often re-use nest material from previous nests, which speeds re-nesting. This can be essential to breeding success, since predation, nest parasitism, or mite infestations frequently cause nest loss and brood failure.

📸: Brian Johnson

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you. 📸: S...
05/04/2026

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you.

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

Dragonflies, like this Mantled Baskettail, can see nearly 360 degrees and are such skilled hunters that they have a 95% ...
04/30/2026

Dragonflies, like this Mantled Baskettail, can see nearly 360 degrees and are such skilled hunters that they have a 95% success rate in catching their prey.

📸: Brian Johnson

Red and gray individuals occur across the range of the Eastern Screech-Owl, with about one-third of all individuals bein...
04/24/2026

Red and gray individuals occur across the range of the Eastern Screech-Owl, with about one-third of all individuals being red. Rufous owls are more common in the East, with fewer than 15% red at the western edge of the range. Learn more about owls: https://www.natlands.org/news/owls-are-outstanding/

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

At distance, Glossy Ibises look uniformly dark, but a close look in good light reveals stunning colors: deep maroon, eme...
04/17/2026

At distance, Glossy Ibises look uniformly dark, but a close look in good light reveals stunning colors: deep maroon, emerald, bronze, and violet.

📸: Dustin Welch

Address

Route 47 (across From Lilac Avenue ), Which Is Also S. 2nd St. )
Millville, NJ
08332

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