00 



o 



PA 1 3. Tinicum Marshes. Acreage: 1000 estimated. 



^ Location: Delaware County; Lansdowne and Bridgeport, N.J.-Pa. quadrangles; 



_l between Philadelphia and Essington. 



2? Description: A Registered Natural Landmark. The area may be divided into two 



"Z. sections of 500 acres each, one on either side of Darby Creek. One section is a 



[P fresh-water marsh and unpolluted; the other, tidal and polluted. The fresh-water 



marsh is famous for its birdlife and other flora and fauna. It is the winter refuge 



for thousands of ducks, and the summer habitat for hundreds of Herons, Egrets, 



Gallinules, and other marsh birds. 



References: Grant, R. R., Jr., and R. Patrick. 1970. Tinicum Marsh as a water 

 purifier, p. 105-123. In Two Studies of Tinicum Marsh, Delaware and Philadel- 

 phia Counties, Pa. The Conservation Foundation, Washington, D.C.; McCor- 

 mick, J. 1970. The natural features of Tinicum Marsh, with particular emphasis 

 on the vegetation, p. 1-104. In Two Studies of Tinicum Marsh, Delaware and 

 Philadelphia Counties, Pa. The Conservation Foundation, Washington, D.C. 



Encroachments: Dumping, landfill, highway construction, and developments 

 threaten the privately owned portions. A land use plan is under study by the 

 Conservation Foundation. With Pennsylvania's clear water program well under- 

 way, the tidal wetlands offer a great potential as a wildlife area. 



Ownership: Philadelphia Conservationists, Inc., owns 168 acres; remainder 

 private. 



Data source: Philadelphia Conservationists, Inc., 1500 Chestnut St., Philadel- 

 phia, Pa. 19102. 



