Being near water is important during this season in order to see larger numbers of bird species.
Lark sparrow WHAT WE'VE SPOTTED
* Lark sparrow,
Sandy Hook
* Northern goshawk, Alpine
* Golden eagle,
Lord Stirling Park, Basking Ridge
* Ovenbird, Sandy Hook
* Eurasian wigeon, Bayonne
A great late-fall location to consider is Barnegat Light State Park, a cold weather birding hot spot. Being near water, especially the ocean, is important
during this season in order to see larger numbers of bird species.
Barnegat Light State Park also is a very scenic place, on Barnegat Inlet, with its magnificent lighthouse -- but the birding often is even better.
The park is one of the best locations on the East Coast to find harlequin ducks, which can be seen along the jetty at the inlet. There is a paved pathway for walking over part of the jetty, or one can walk to the beach for a peek at the ocean. And occasionally, the ducks can be spied right below the paved area.
Waterfowl, seabirds and some special land birds are at the top of the avian list at the park. Among the visiting ducks are black, surf and white-winged scoters; gorgeous long-tailed ducks and red-breasted mergansers. In addition, birders may find the common eider, greater scaup and bufflehead.
The common and red-throated loons, as well as the majestic northern gannet, are plentiful here. Lucky birders may see a great cormorant or some American
oystercatchers -- perhaps even a flock of purple sandpipers, ruddy turnstones or sanderlings.
Snow buntings, horned larks and the lapland longspur can occasionally be
found near the dunes. The uncommon "Ipswich" Savannah sparrow also can
be seen along the jetty. And if snowy owls decide to visit, lucky birders might
see one across the inlet on Island Beach State Park.
Dress warmly and know that a spotting telescope can be very helpful here for
better looks at the avian menagerie. This great bird show will be available
through the end of March. Enjoy!
This column is compiled and written by Pete Bacinski, longtime New Jersey
birder and retired NJ Audubon All Things Birds program director. Questions
or comments should be directed to him by emailing
petebacinski@comcast.net.