GENERAL INFORMATION
Criteria:
Quakertown Swamp is a large natural wetland, unique to upper Bucks County identified as one of the most significant natural resources in the County. According to the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI), it is one of the largest intact, inland wetlands in southeastern Pennsylvania and is exceptional for its broadleaf deciduous shrubs and excellent bird habitat. The entire Quakertown Swamp wetland community is imperiled in the state because of rarity. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recognizes this extensive swamp as significant habitat for nesting and migrating waterfowl. Quakertown Swamp is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an important wetland area in Pennsylvania. The Bucks County Planning Commission named Quakertown Swamp as a significant natural area in its natural resources plans (1986 and 1999) and in its Natural Areas Inventory (1999).
A nationwide cooperative conservation program led by the National Audubon Society designated the swamp as a Pennsylvania Important Bird Area. The swamp is the only known nesting area of the Sora Rail and Marsh Wren in the region, two Species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Census in 1985 identified 74 species nesting in this natural area. The largest Great Blue Heron rookery in eastern Pennsylvania is found here and the Least Bittern and American Bittern, both threatened in Pennsylvania, are seen in the swamp during migration.
(Heritage Conservancy, 2000)
Exemplary Ecosystem Services:
CONSERVATION STATUS AND THREATS
Public Access: Yes
Current and Future Threats: Fragmentation, invasive species, nutrient loading, watershed development, and stormwater runoff
Conservation status: State/Province/Regional Protection
Adjacent Land Use: Agricultural (cropland, orchards, greenhouse)
Approximate natural buffer width:
Other information:
Residential land use is also significant in the areas surrounding and within the Swamp.
Several land parcels have been preserved under Conservation Easements.
ECOLOGY
Approximate size: 210 hectares (518 acres)
General wetland characterization:
Adjacent Water Bod(ies):
Name of body of water: Bog Run
Surficial Geology:
Quakertown Swamp is located on an ancient formation created by igneous diabase intrusions into older sedimentary shales (Heritage Conservancy, 2000).
If Adjacent to Stream, stream order: First order
Soils:
Soils derived from diabase are of the Towhee – Neshaminy – Mount Lucas association (USDA, 1975). The soils of the swamp are primarily Hatboro silt loam, a floodplain soil formed from alluvium washed from the surrounding uplands (Heritage Conservancy, 2000).
FLORA AND FAUNA
Dominant flora: Red maple, pin oak, swamp white oak, black willow, buttonbush, broadleaf cattail, tussock sedge
Unique flora: Six (6) state ranked species, five (5) with global ranking
Dominant fauna: The Quakertown Swamp is especially known for its extensive bird habitat, noting 74 species of nesting birds. In addition to birds, many amphibians and reptiles are dependent on the swamp habitat, including habitat for five species of turtle, seven species of frog, three species of salamander, and five species of snake.
Rare fauna: Bird species include 14 rare breeders, eight Species of Special Concern, and four of uncertain nesting status.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Quakertown Swamp Resource Protection Plan
CONTACT INFORMATION
Applicant First Name: James
Applicant Last Name: Drennan
Website: view our site
Applicant E-mail Address: jdrennan@heritageconservancy.org