You might not expect to find an explosion of nature in New Jersey’s most densely populated County – wedged between Newark and Manhattan – and immediately next to one of the busiest railway stations in the country and Exit 15X on the New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur.
You would be wrong. Very, very wrong.
Welcome to the Secaucus Egret Roost.
It turns out that a stone’s throw from the Hackensack River in the New Jersey Meadowlands, the trees surrounding an unassuming pond right next to the Turnpike is potentially (at least at times), New Jersey’s largest egret roost.
As of the summer of 2024, nearly 1,000 egrets have been counted roosting at the site during summer evenings. They all fly in just around sunset, and at times the sky is completely full of egrets.
There are at times hundreds of snowy egrets and great egrets, but other species roost here, too, including little blue herons, black-crowned night herons, and white ibis. In 2023, a relatively rare western cattle egret even spent a few days there.
Below are a few updates on counts at the Egret Roost reported by Christopher Takacs in the New Jersey Meadowlands Facebook group:
August 23, 2024: Last night 762 birds came into the roost. A new all-time high for me. 516 Snowy Egrets, 224 Great Egrets and 2 Black-crowned Night herons.
August 27, 2024: Tonight’s Secaucus Egret Roost totals are an all-time high since I’ve been counting. 928 total birds! 650 Snowy Egrets, 275 Great Egrets, 1 Little Blue Heron, 2 Black-crowned Night Herons. The 650 Snowy Egrets is the highest total seen in NJ this year and is the highest total for Hudson County and the Hackensack Meadowlands area. The 928 total birds is my highest roost count to date.
September 13, 2024: The Secaucus Egret roost was still rolling in birds last night. 398 Snowy Egrets, 302 Great Egrets, 1 Little Blue Heron, 1 White Ibis, 1 Great Blue Heron and 2 Black crowned Night Herons. Season high on Great Egrets
When to See the Roost
From spring to fall. Starting about an hour before sunset, egrets will begin to fly in overhead. As sunset nears, the numbers flying in will increase.
Finding the Roost
The egret roost is located just outside of the entrance to Laurel Hill Park. Click here for a Google Map of the location.
Parking
Follow Laurel Hill Road, and after entering Laurel Hill Park, you can park in the first parking lot on your left. Cross the street and walk along the sidewalk out of the park for about a block. The roost will be visible across the street, although it may be obstructed by tall phragmites.
Secaucus Egret Roost Gallery
