HOWELL – From the shoreline, the Manasquan Reservoir offers visitors scenic views and opportunities to observe wildlife. From a boat, however, the experience provides an entirely different perspective.
The Monmouth County Park System’s guided reservoir boat tour takes passengers onto the water for a 45-minute trip led by a park system naturalist. During a recent tour, Naturalist Max Membreno shared information about the reservoir, identified wildlife and answered questions from passengers.
The weather was in the mid-80s and overcast, with the sun occasionally peeking through the clouds. A pleasant breeze coming off the water made for a comfortable ride.
Families with children and several solo passengers made up the group. Once the boat left the Visitor Center dock, Membreno began pointing out the different birds and animals that make their homes in and around the reservoir.
“Passengers who come on our tours usually aren’t seeing the reservoir from the perspective of a boat,” he said. “When you’re on the water, you’re more likely to see the animals’ behaviors. As opposed to walking the perimeter trail and looking inward, you’re looking from the inside rather than the outside.
“It’s really cool to see the birds’ behaviors. Sometimes you’ll see them fishing, diving down or sunning themselves on the buoys. You’ll see them interacting with other birds, and sometimes birds even steal from each other. It’s fun. I think that’s the best part,” he said.
Around 200 different species of birds have been spotted at the Manasquan Reservoir. During this particular trip, passengers saw ospreys, gulls, egrets, least terns, swans and double-crested cormorants.
Several red-bellied turtles were also spotted in the water. One of the most interesting sights was an abandoned eagle’s nest, which gave passengers a glimpse of how wildlife uses the reservoir’s more secluded areas.
Although every tour is different, visitors may also see bald eagles, geese, river otters, foxes, bats, bullfrogs, snapping turtles and several types of snakes. Fish living in the reservoir include bass, catfish and eels.
Membreno was knowledgeable and engaging throughout the ride, explaining what passengers were seeing while also discussing the history and natural environment of the reservoir. The naturalist regularly paused to answer questions from both adults and children.
Passengers also learned that artifacts from many years ago had been discovered in the area and were later collected by the state.
“Seeing the bald eagle was probably the most memorable sighting I’ve had so far while leading a tour,” Membreno said. “I saw the bald eagle flying with a fledgling. Sometimes, you’ll even see an eagle carrying a fish or diving into the water to catch one.”
The boat tour is one of several educational and recreational programs offered by the Monmouth County Park System. Membreno also spoke about animal presentations, fishing derbies, summer camps and birthday parties hosted through the park system.
The experience was relaxing, but it was also educational. Seeing the reservoir from the water allowed passengers to reach areas and observe wildlife that may be difficult to see from the walking trails.
Tours depart from the Visitor Center on Windeler Road and are offered at the top of the hour from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through September 7. Tours are also scheduled for 2, 3 and 4 p.m. on Wednesdays through August 26.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 12 and younger. Children must be at least 2 years old and able to sit independently. Life jackets are required and provided.
Tours are dependent on weather and water levels. Tickets are sold on the day of the tour on the lower level of the Visitor Center. Visitors can call 732-919-0996, ext. 4526, to confirm that tours are operating.
