Did you know The Raptor Trust in New Jersey is a world-class bird rehabilitation center? The staff cares for thousands of birds each year and it’s open to the public for tours and educational events all year long, seven days a week. Not only will you learn something about love at the Raptor bird sanctuary, but have your cameras to take some of the most phenomenal pictures of your life in New Jersey. 

In 1968, New Jersey resident Len Soucy began caring for and rehabilitating raptors in his backyard, a small attempt to make a difference for local birds with injuries and illnesses.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
Soon, hundreds of birds were being nursed back to health by himself and his wife, Diane. By the 1980s, the Raptor Trust had grown into a large non-profit, and Soucy's dream truly began to take flight.
Forty years later, the facility is run by Len and Diane's son, Chris Soucy and the Raptor Trust sits on a large plot of land in Millington, welcoming visitors all year long.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
Self-guided tours are free, though donations are encouraged and appreciated.
Visitors are welcome year-round, and there are frequent events and educational programs.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
You might be surprised to learn that The Raptor Trust cares for and rehabilitates more than 5,000 birds each year!
During your visit, you'll meet the long-term residents whose injuries or disabilities require them to stay.
The Raptor Trust/Facebook
Meet Kili, a red-tailed hawk and another permanent resident at the NJ Raptor Trust. Over the decades, the facility has grown to care for all sorts of birds, from raptors to songbirds.

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Another resident bird is Winston, the black vulture.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
His nest was destroyed during a construction project, and he was the lone survivor.
His friend Turk is one of three resident turkey vultures who call this lovely raptor bird sanctuary their home.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
Some of the other resident birds include a bald eagle named Uno who is blind in one eye, Uggla, a great horned owl who is the oldest resident bird, and a pair of kestrels named Ollie and Zizi.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust
When you visit The Raptor Trust, you'll meet the birds and learn about environmental stewardship, and even on a self-guided tour, you'll walk away knowing about your local ecosystem.
Facebook / The Raptor Trust

Learn more on The Raptor Trust’s website. You’ll find more information about the resident birds, the mission, upcoming events, and tour options.

And while you’re in Millington, drive approximately 20 miles to see what’s up in Madison, one of New Jersey’s best towns to live, work, and dine.

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Most People Don’t Know About This Underrated Raptor Center Hiding In New Jersey

Carolyn Harmon | May 12, 2023

What's the most beautiful hike in New Jersey?

Some of the hiking spots in New Jersey that are completely out of this world include:

  •  Cattus Island Park (1170 Cattus Island Blvd., Toms River) spans 530 acres and 7 miles of trails, including a lovely main trail to the beach land. It's also home to the Cooper Environmental Center where we enjoy hands-on educational displays. The park also contains a beautiful Butterfly Garden. For more, visit Cattus Island Park's Facebook page.
  • Franklin Parker Preserve (1450 County Road 532, Chatsworth) encompasses 16 square miles in New Jersey Pine Barrens with four trails totaling nearly 21 miles, some for walkers only, some multiuse trails, and the 53-mile Batona Trail was rerouted through the preserve. Discover more on New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s website.
  • Black River County Park (North Road, Chester) has 858 acres holding four cultural sites: Cooper Mill, Elizabeth D. Kay Environmental Center, Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, and Willowwood Arboretum with four marked trails linking the sites from 1 to 4.5 miles. For more trails in this area, visit Chester Trails' Facebook Page.
  • Cheesequake State Park, (300 Gordon Road, Matawan) offers 1,610 beautiful acres for camping, picnicking, swimming, hunting, kayak tours, and mountain biking.


Are there any haunted trails in New Jersey?

One is listed above, New Jersey Pine Barrens, specifically the Batona Trail, where people reportedly disappeared without a trace, including a husband and wife. And a skeleton was found in the woods.

The creepiest hike in New Jersey takes you through the ruins of an abandoned village. The Watchung Reservation History Trail is 6 miles of historic sites in Union County’s Watchung Reservation, a 2,000+acre preserve. Of note, it was designed by famous landscape artists, the Olmsted Brothers, who designed Central Park in New York City, and many other prominent outdoor spaces.

The trail is marked with pink blazes and signposts along the way identifying the location of each site. It begins and ends at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, but can also be accessed from parking areas at the Deserted Village of Feltville and Lake Surprise.

Feltville Village is a spooky story all its own, which was abandoned twice and contains several buildings dating back to the 18th century. Folks have seen occult activities in the nearby woods, a girl's wandering spirit, and the ghosts of three young sisters. The centuries-old cemetery adds to the haunted atmosphere where people have felt cold spots.

If you have time to visit the Trailside Nature & Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, you'll understand why there may be a few ghosts lingering on as some of the features are very old and some have been torn down, including a Copper Mine dating back to the 1600s, and a girl scout cabin was destroyed by fire there in 1975. Discover more about this chilling place on the Union County New Jersey Website. 

 

 

 

 

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The Raptor Trust, 1390 White Bridge Rd, Millington, NJ 07946, USA