Earlier this month, three of my friends and I took a trip to the New Jersey coast to look for wintering waterfowl and sandpipers. Knowing that the temperatures were going to be well below-freezing, we bundled up and prepared for a windy day. Our first stop was Barnegat Light and the jetty that I have a love/hate relationship with. I hate it because you have to be careful going from rock-to-rock and it can be slippery when wet. But at the same time I love it since it always brings us good birds. The rocks were icy, but the birding turned out to be pretty good!
My friends returning from the tip of the icy jetty
On our way down the jetty, we spotted a single Dunlin on the beach-side. It didn’t seem to want to move, though it didn’t look injured. For a moment, it seemed like it was just frozen in place.
A lone Dunlin
We found one brave songbird on the jetty. It also did not seem like it wanted to move far.
Savannah Sparrow on the rocks
Last winter, we had plenty of waterfowl close in the inlet, but both time I went to Barnegat this season it was different – there were hunters in boats close to the jetty, which kept the waterfowl distant. There was a large grouping of Eiders in the bay, but harsh light and distance made for poor photo ops. They were mostly Common Eiders, but we did spot one King. Many Common Loons and some Red-throated were also present. Scoters were even more distant with a few Black Scoters coming near the jetty. A single pair of Harlequins came in close.
The only pair of Harlequin Ducks who came in close
Harlequin Duck drake flying by
We did run into the usual flock of Dunlin and Ruddy Turnstones on the jetty. They were huddled and did not care to move as we passed by. The Purple Sandpipers were on the very tip and I did not go close enough to photograph them.
The flock of Dunlin stay warm
Ruddy Turnstones with the Dunlin
Dunlin on ice
Ruddy Turnstones using a rock to break the wind
On the way out, we walked on the sand so that we could keep our eyes on the dunes for buntings, larks and longspurs – and also to keep warm since all of us seemed to lose feeling in our fingers. We ended up seeing a ton of Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Yellow-rumped Warbler on the path
Other highlights from Barnegat included a couple of close fly-bys by a juvenile Northern Gannet, a male Northern Harrier hunting the dunes and an unexpected Bonaparte’s Gull. On our way off of the island, we checked out a few marinas for more waterfowl. We got distant looks at Bufflehead, Horned Grebes, Loons, Pintails, Black Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, Gadwall, Goldeneyes, Red-breasted Mergansers and Ruddy Ducks.
After that, we chased reports of a Cackling and Ross’s Goose on the way to our next destination. The birds were not present, but there were some other friendly waterfowl. Sometimes, you just have to take a photo op, no matter how common the bird is.
The often-ignored Mallard Duck
Mute Swans are a beautiful bird, often overlooked by birders
Oddly enough, this is my first close photo of a Black Duck
Our final stop was Island Beach State Park. We wanted to show one of my friends the foxes and also see if we could get a glimpse of a Snowy Owl. The foxes did not disappoint.
Red Fox off the road at Island Beach
We brought our scopes out onto the beach to scan the water. We estimated around 15,000 Scoters – mostly Blacks with many Surf and White-winged mixed in. As we were leaving, we decided to check out a spot that a few cars were parked at. Sure enough, they were looking at a Snowy Owl. The bird was a bit distant, but she had a nice perch. It was a great way to end the day!
Last month, my friend and I visited Island Beach State Park for the first time. As soon as we drove into the gate, we were greeted by a Red Fox who came right up to the car. We did not expect this at all.
This fox greeted us at the gate
We assume that people who visit the beach over the summer must feed them, making them not fear humans. This isn’t exactly a good thing, especially since the foxes walk freely on the roads and we did see one fox running after someone on a bicycle.
It did make for some great photos ops though, right from the car.
Red Fox on the side of the road
Red Fox near the road
They would go right up to the car while we were not moving. We did not bait these animals, feed them or try to pet them.
Red Fox close to the car
A photo of me taking a photo of the Red Fox above
We also ran into a fox while at a bird blind. At least this one felt a little more “wild.”
Red Fox taken from a bird blind
Red Fox taken from a bird blind
This was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to photograph Red Foxes. I was very happy to be able to do it so easily, but I am not that thrilled on how fearless they are. At least they live on an island and only have to deal with large crowds in the summer.
I’m often highlight my backyard birds so today I will give my other backyard friends (and foes!) the spotlight. Along with the birds, I get a variety of mammals, amphibians and some reptiles. Having bird feeders attracts many of these non-avian guests – both predictable and unexpected.
My yard and woods are loaded with Squirrels, mostly Gray Squirrels along with Chipmunks and a couple of Red Squirrels.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
Red Squirrel
I do not mind them foraging for fallen seed, but it was a long and frustrating process to fully squirrel-proof all of my feeders. I have also caught other visitors cleaning up messes that the birds leave.
Skunk foraging under my feeders at night
Northern Raccoon under my feeders at night
I get plenty of Eastern Cottontails and Groundhogs during the summer. Both of them seem to like to eat some of my nicer garden plants so I can’t say that I am too happy to have them hanging around; however, I realize that this is their home too.
Eastern Cottontail
Groundhog on my deck
My neighborhood gets a lot of White-tailed Deer.
White-tailed Deer
I’ve never had issues with them on my bird feeders, but I do have an even larger mammal who wants the seed.
Black Bear making his way to my feeders
Last year, a bear family of four visited us on multiple nights. This month was the first time I saw one of them during the day. We scared him away by making loud noises out the window.
Black Bear
I do have an unfortunate visitor as well. I found a mouse inside my home only once – after my cats already drowned it (don’t ask…). This particular one photographed below one made her nest in my grill cover when I had it folded under a table. I lifted the cover up and this mother mouse and her small babies fell out along with the nest. She quickly scurried away.
Mouse family
After she disappeared, I noticed that she left behind one of the babies! Even though it is just a mouse, I felt bad. I put the baby mouse and the nest inside a small box and left it near the bottom of my deck. Mom came for it shortly after and all were safe.
Mouse baby left behind
My best mammal visitors were a huge shock for me. I saw a Gray Fox walk past my yard one morning. I did get a couple of photos, but they were taken in a hurry. Later that day, I ran into an even bigger surprise as soon as I walked into the woods. I had TWO Foxes – a mom and her teenager.
Mom Gray Fox and her grown up Kit
All three of us stopped in our tracks. I was shaking when I took my initial photos, but they came out well enough. I ran across these foxes every day for a week and ended up getting some better photos, despite the dark, yet brightly back-lit woods.
Gray Fox
Young Gray Fox
I have one reptile yard visitor who I often find in my grass and under the rocks.
Ring-necked Snake
And many amphibians who visit – more so when I had a small pond in the back. I get American Toads, Tree Frogs, Wood Frogs and Peepers.
Eastern American Toad
Birds, Bears, Foxes and Frogs – I wonder who else will show up?
