Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 6 7 the Jersey Shore during its amazing cross-global journey. There are several locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties that can yield a variety of bird sightings throughout the migration season. While some species fly on through, others will call the Jersey Shore home during the winter months. Barnegat Light is a prime spot to see birds on the move during the fall migration. It is also an ideal place to see birds that call the Barnegat Inlet home for the winter includ- ing Harlequin Ducks, which winter exclusively at Barnegat Light. As such, Barnegat Light has earned the title of a Jersey Shore "birding hot spot." Other species wintering at Barnegat Light include Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Common and Red-throated Loons, and White-winged, Black, and Surf Scoters. Another Jersey Shore birding hot spot is the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which is located in one of the Atlantic Flyway's most active flight paths for seasonal migration. The refuge stretches from Mantoloking through Brigantine, with its wetlands providing a habitat for permanent and transient birds, as well as other wildlife. Snow geese typically arrive between October and December, while more than one hundred thousand ducks and geese have been known to visit during early November. Other types of birds one continued on page 8 might observe during the fall migra- tion are Northern Gannets, Hooded Mergansers, Blue-winged Teals, and Bald Eagles. A little known Jersey Shore area that is a haven for birders is called the North Shore, which refers to the coastal sections of Monmouth County from the Manasquan Inlet north to Sandy Hook. During the off-season from late fall through early spring, birds of all kinds visit the region's fresh water ponds, river and stream inlets, ocean accesses, and wetlands. Many rare species have been observed in the North Shore during migration, including Eurasian Wigeons, Purple Sandpipers, Red- necked Grebe, and Iceland Gulls. As the months get colder, a local favorite to look for is the Snowy Owl, who has wintered along the Jersey Shore at both Sandy Hook and Island Beach State Park over the past few years. Unfortunately, overzealous peo- ple have caused the owls to become spooked, as well as caused damage to the dunes and surrounding areas by trying to take pictures of the owls. Barnes urges people to keep their distance and to not approach a Snowy Owl for any reason. As assistant director of Eco-Travel for New Jersey Audubon, Barnes shares his passion for birds through advocacy and education. New Jersey Audubon, one of the oldest Audubon societies in the country, is a non-profit membership orga- DO: • use binoculars • educate yourself • record your sightings • approach with extreme care • wear appropriate shoes DON'T: • disturb nests • cause injury to birds or other wildlife • damage the dunes or habitats of birds or other wildlife • feed birds/wildlife food that is not part of their regular diet • leave any garbage THE DOS & DON'TS OF BIRDING Above: A Hooded Merganser during the fall migration. Left: The American Golden-Plover stops along the Jersey Shore during its migration from the Arctic to South America. Ray Yeager

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