Champagne Island

USA / New Jersey / North Wildwood /
 recreation area / ground, island, birds, boating, shoal, sandbar
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Technically a sandbar, this island earned its name during prohibition when bootleggers trying to evade the US Coast Guard would dump their liquor here.

from 5milebeach.blogspot.com/2006/04/prohibition-when-wildwo...

Wildwood’s harbors and coastline made it a bootlegger’s dream. Freighters dropped anchor beyond the three mile limit and became offshore wholesalers of illegal spirits. Some of these boats catered only to professional bootleggers, but others sold liquor by the case to fisherman and recreational boaters. Many Americans developed a love of boating during this period, and rentals of pleasure boats increased sharply.

Note: The island is closed to pleasure craft and pedestrians this summer (2006). The DEP is attempting to protect a migratory bird (Red Knot) which feeds on Horseshoe Crab eggs here.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°1'29"N   74°47'20"W

Comments

  • this island should not be closed to boaters while there are many other bird sancuarty this should be kept for boaters
  • Island is closed for the 2008 season. This may be also due to the beginning of the next phase of the Anglesea/North Wildwood Seawall project which is beginning construction (probably in May or June of 2008) at Anglesea Drive and Seaview Court and progressing inward to East Marina Court.
  • The island is not closed this summer (2008). it is still a great place to come and chill and party!
  • A Taste of Champagne...Island, by Todd Pover The name Champagne Island conjures up images of exotic revelry, even if according to local lore it derived its name during prohibition when bootleggers trying to evade authorities would dump their liquor there. Ironically enough, today the island is a magnet for boats and jet-skis, whose owners go there to enjoy its less regulated and sometimes party-like atmosphere. The island is also an extremely attractive site for endangered beach nesting birds and migratory shorebirds. Herein lies the conflict that plays itself out up and down the New Jersey coast – how to balance human recreational activities with endangered species protection. Situated within Hereford Inlet in Cape May County, Champagne Island is a small sandbar island that changes in size and shape from year to year, sometimes disappearing altogether. In those years when its elevation is high enough to avoid flooding, it is typically one of the state’s most important locations for nesting birds, especially the state endangered black skimmer. In 2007, for instance, over 1600 skimmers, nearly 85% of the entire state population, nested there. State endangered piping plover and least tern, as well as species of special concern, such as common tern and American oystercatcher, also nest there. Shorebirds, including the red knot, which rely on our state as a critical stopover during their spring migration route, use the island as well. Adding to the island’s importance, in 2007 a small colony of royal terns nested within the large skimmer colony, making this the northernmost royal tern colony in the world and the first royal tern colony known in New Jersey. Royal terns returned to Champagne Island to nest in 2008, in fact, the colony grew considerably to over 150 pairs. During the breeding season the island is a tremendous “National Geographic worthy” wildlife spectacle–right here in our own “backyard.”
This article was last modified 7 years ago