New Jersey in Winter Itinerary

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in New Jersey, late that afternoon we will drive over to one of the nearby salt marshes to search for Norther Harriers and Short-eared Owls.

Long-tailed Duck by Rick Bowers ©

Days 2- 3:  Our schedule is purposefully kept flexible for to allow us to travel at times and to locations that give you the best opportunities to find our target birds.  Our target areas included:

Barnegat Light State Park – Although New Jersey’s Atlantic Coastline extends for over 100 miles from Sandy Hook down to Cape May, it is all sandy beaches. However, the South Jetty located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island and built to protect Barnegat Inlet, is approximately a mile long stretch of rocks that mimics the rocky shore of New England. Common and Red-throated Loons, Great Cormorant and “Sea” ducks, including Red-breasted Merganser, all 3 Scoter species, Long-tailed Duck, Common Eider and our primary target Harlequin Duck are all regularly seen here. Although, our target species could be found anywhere along this Jetty, unfortunately only the first 1000 feet of the jetty has a paved walkway. The rest of the jetty can be accessed by trudging along the adjacent beach or, if conditions permit and you dare, by rock-hopping along the jetty. While photographing the Harlequins, or any of the other “Sea” ducks, don’t be surprised if you look down and find some Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin and/or Sanderlings walking around at or near your feet.  Scan along the beach, jetty and/or the ocean for Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, Ipswich Savannah Sparrow, Northern Gannet and all of our Gull species. Harbor Seals are often seen swimming around the jetty or hauled out on the beach. We will also look for Common Goldeneye out on the Bay, scan the Pines for Crossbills and the marshes for Boat-tailed Grackles.

Blue-winged Teal by Rick Bowers ©

Edwin B. Forythe National Wildlife Refuge (Local Birders call it Brigantine or Brig) – Many consider this to be one of the Top 5 Refuges in the Country. Its 8-Mile loop drive takes you through fresh, brackish & salt water marshes and upland fields and woods. Northern Harriers are common over the marshes, with Short-eared Owls starting replacing them towards sunset. Hugh flocks of Brant and rafts of Scoters can be seen out in the Bay. Snow Geese flocks are usually feeding out in the salt marshes. Look for Tundra Swans and Ducks, including American Black, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser and Ruddy Duck in the Impoundments. Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and Peregrine Falcon could be seen either perched or hunting in the area. Other species we could find include Ring-necked Duck, Horned Grebe, American Bittern, Dunlin, American Oystercatcher, Carolina Chickadee, Fish Crow, Sparrows (Song, Savannah, Swamp and/or White-throated) and American Goldfinch.

Hooded Merganser by Rick Bowers ©

Depending on time, participant’s target birds and/or what Rarities have been reported on the Local Hot Lines, other possible locations include:

The North Shore between Sandy Hook & Point Pleasant – Ducks, Loons, Grebes, Razorbill, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Snowy Owl

Lesser Black-backed Gull by Rick Bowers ©

The North Shore between Cape May & Brigantine Island – Ducks, Loons, Grebes, Raptors, Marbled Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Western Willet, Snowy Owl

Central Jersey Fields & Lakes – Common Merganser, Rare Geese (Cackling, Ross’s, Barnacle, Greater White-fronted and/or Pink-footed)

Cackling Goose by Rick Bowers ©

A short after dinner – Night Trip – A wooded area close to our Hotel to try for calling Eastern Screech, Barred and/or Great Horned Owls