Registrar: Lori Lam
Participants: 8
Weather: 20-30 F, sunny, wind mph 5-10 mph
Bird Species: 32
We would like to thank our excellent leader Gordon Lam for an exciting trip with many outstanding sightings. We also want to thank Lori for registering this complicated trip. Due to the cold and windy weather we began our journey at Fort Tilden, as a possible inland alternative to Breezy Point beach. We were immediately greeted by a Northern Harrier flying over the ball fields. Despite the cold, Northern Cardinals, Song Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-capped Chickadees and two Northern Mockingbirds emerged, along with a serenading pair of Carolina Wrens. A walk to the beach also proved productive, with six Common Eiders, two Long-tailed Ducks, Black Scoters and one lonely Sanderling acting as a preview of what was to come. With the weather being much more cooperative than we expected we all agreed to return to the cars and caravan to Breezy Point.
The walk down the ORV (off road vehicle) path leading to the Breezy Point beach was productive, Our first observation was a pair of beautiful American Tree Sparrows. Several playful, vocalizing Black-capped Chickadees seemingly followed us down the path, along with small flocks of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Another exciting sighting was a Lincoln’s Sparrow (finely streaked buffy breast, broad gray supercillium). The next surprise was a Tree Swallow, a few of which overwinter. It cooperated enough to pose for pictures. We were also captivated by an Eastern Red Fox, which ran across the path, our mammal species for the trip. The fox is beautiful, but it is known to eat Piping Plovers and turtle eggs.
After a 45-minute walk, we arrived at the beach. We were greeted by large flocks of Sanderlings and several Long-tailed Ducks and female Black Scoters. Heading west along the beach we kept an eye on the upcoming jetty, where we saw 12 Great Cormorants and 8 Double-crested Cormorants, along with 13 Common Eiders (one relaxing on the beach) and more Black Scoters. Looking west over the rocks we saw two beautiful male Surf Scoters and later two female Surf Scoters. Adding to our duck list were three Buffleheads, one Red-breasted Merganser and four White-winged Scoters in flight.
Other highlights were the interesting invertebrate remains found by Gordon. He explained the anatomy and burrowing habit of the Razor Clam, the importance of the Horseshoe Crab eggs in the ecological food chain, the unique reproductive strategies of the Common Slipper Shell and more. The grand finale was the sighting of a Snowy Owl by Michelle Talich, We followed proper etiquette and did not approach the owl.
Species Lists
Birds
Brant
Canada Goose
Common Eider
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Sanderling
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Great Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Northern Harrier
Snowy Owl
Downy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Tree Swallow
Carolina Wren
Northern Mockingbird
House Sparrow
American Tree Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Mammal
Eastern Red Fox
Invertebrate Remains
Horseshoe Crab
Razor Clam
Surf Clam
Common Slipper Shell
Whelk
