|
| ||||
|
| ||||
| | | | |
 |
|
|
|
December 8 , 2007, Sandy Hook Bird Walk MEETING
PLACE: Visitor
Center parking lot Highlights:
We started our trip at Spermaceti Cove where we had a flock of Greater
Scaup, Horned Grebes, Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Blue Heron. When
everyone had good looks at the birds we decided to go to the boy scout
camp to look for the Townsend's Solitaire. The solitaire is a first-time
appearance for Sandy Hook. After Our last stop for the morning was Horseshoe Cove. Standing out in the open was an American Bittern in all its splendor. Usually a secretive bird, we were treated to long looks even after it flew into the marsh. It stretched its head long into the air showing us how it can be easily missed blending into the marsh. The cloudy cold morning turned into a sunny mild morning. We headed back to our cars with a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. November 3 , 2007, Island Beach State Park MEETING
PLACE: Parking
lot outside entrance October 13 , 2007, Sandy Hook Bird Walk MEETING
PLACE: Visitor
Center parking lot HIGHLIGHTS: We started our trip with close looks at the beautiful White-crowned Sparrow. Scott spotted the sparrows in the parking lot of the visitors center. There were two immature and one beautiful adult. We left the sparrows munching on seed to make our way across the street to Spermacetti Cove. As we walked to the end of the boardwalk an American Bittern flew deeper into the marsh. This was a rare treat for all of us. As we scanned the marsh for other rare treats a male "grey ghost" Northern Harrier flew by the Osprey nest. This was another wonderful treat. We don't see grey ghosts very often. With two great birds to our credits we headed to K-Lot to continue our search. As we roamed the fields, an Eastern Meadowlark flushed and landed in a nearby tree. This slow helicopter flight allowed everyone long lasting looks. Continuing our trek we found Golden-crowned Kinglets and Ruby-crowned Kinglets on the lawn of the garden area. A Brown Creeper climbed a nearby tree searching for insects. Our
walk ended at our cars as a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over our cars. Another
beautiful morning at Sandy Hook sent us home satisfied again. August 16 , 2007, Sandy Hook Evening Walk MEETING
PLACE: Visitor
Center parking lot HIGHLIGHTS: Spermacetti Cove, the Home of the Osprey, was our first and only stop this trip. One Osprey was left from the resident family. It looked like the rest of the family has moved on. Soon the last will follow. We got our fill of the Osprey and turned our attention to the six Great Blue Herons on the spit. As we enjoyed this fish-eating bird, a Clapper Rail called behind us. We turned our attention to the marsh and were rewarded with a rail who was actually visible. All of a sudden there was a baby, then another adult! We ended up with two parents and four small black babies with the egg tip still attached to their bills. They had just hatched. A rare sight indeed. As
sunset approached we walked back to our cars for the journey home. Complete
satisfaction to end our day. July 12 , 2007, Sandy Hook Evening Walk MEETING
PLACE: Visitor
Center parking lot HIGHLIGHTS: Into the sunshine we went. Our usual starting place at Spermaceti Cove awaited us. We had beautiful views of the Osprey and ther two offspring. The Osprey made a beautiful family potrait a top their nest. In
the marsh behind us three great Egrets delighted us with views of their
heads popping up in the tall marsh grasses. The kids in our group were
having fun taking turns to find them as they popped their heads up. A
snowy egret flew over our heads as it headed toward the bay. Upon our return to the cars, many were delighted to see an Eastern Towhee singing on top of a nearby tree. He seemed to be singing for our pleasure. Many were rewarded with excellent scope views. We
all drove home into the sunset. A peaceful way to end our day and the
drive home. June 7 , 2007, Sandy Hook Evening Walk MEETING
PLACE: Visitor Center parking
lot HIGHLIGHTS: : It was a beautiful spring evening. A little breezy which chilled the air. A beautiful evening for a walk at Sandy Hook. Spermacetti Cove hosted the nesting Osprey. The young have hatched but were not visible. The parents were attending to them as we watched. A Clapper Rail called in the marsh in front of us. It sang its full song as it scurried through the grasses. Some of us were rewarded with a quick view as it ran out of sight. Gracefully skimming the water's edge a pair of Black Skimmers sailed by. American Oystercatchers and Willet sang across the cove. A Black-crowned Night Heron flew over our heads on its way to its roost for the evening. We watched it as it flew into the setting sun. At the Bird Blind Cedar Waxwings flew by, while a couple of Eastern Towhees sang on their perches looking handsome in the sunlight. We
ended our evening with a walk along the ocean returning to the parking
lot. Relaxed and refreshed for the evening we said our good-byes. May 5 , 2007, Allaire State Park MEETING
PLACE: Main parking lot HIGHLIGHTS: We had a great group of participants with lots of first-timers. The weather was great, with cool temps and lots of bright blue May 5 , 2007, Allaire State Park MEETING
PLACE: Main parking lot HIGHLIGHTS: We had a great group of participants with lots of first-timers. The weather was great, with cool temps and lots of bright blue skies. At first the woods were quiet, but as we walked along the trail we started to pick up bits of birdsong. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher buzzed his song as he checked us out; these birds nest in the park. As soon as Michael said, "We should be hearing Northern Parula pretty soon," a parula sang from atop a nearby tree! The same thing happened with the Scarlet Tanager; it was that kind of day! While there weren't huge numbers of birds around, there was good diversity, and we took our time to get everyone on the great birds we found. Everyone was astounded at the bright colors of the Baltimore Oriole and the Scarlet Tanager. They learned the repetitious song of the Ovenbird as it echoed through the woods, and they learned a little about feeding hummingbirds as we watched the hummingbird feed at the environmental center. We found no less than three Yellow-throated Vireos, a bird found regularly at Allaire in recent years but not found elsewhere in Monmouth County. As we crossed the small bridge by the environmental center, we discovered a Black and White Warbler and a Swamp Sparrow. We also enjoyed good looks at Eastern Bluebirds by the bluebird houses. In all, it was a great trip with great participants -- but we leaders say that every year! . April 21, 2007, Sandy Hook MEETING
PLACE: Visitor Center HIGHLIGHTS: The day started out sunny and warm. It promised to be a gorgeous day. As we walked the boardwalk to the water's edge, a Savannah Sparrow was perched atop a cedar tree. Below it was a Downy Woodpecker, and both were looking very handsome in their finest. A Great Egret was fishing on the edge of the marsh. A Snowy Egret flew over from the spit to show us the differences between them. A Palm Warbler pranced from branch to branch in the beach plum. Oystercatchers fussed across the water on the spit. Bufflehead bobbed up and down, making it hard to study them in the scope. Before the morning ended we headed to the hawkwatch platform and surrounding area. Walking toward the platform we spotted the Hooded Warbler looking very dapper. On North Pond a pair of American Coots swam. In the grove a Brown Creeper sang, and a Palm Warbler flew from tree to tree. A Hermit Thrush walked the trails. On
the hawkwatch platform we observed a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Cooper's
Hawk. Swallows flew here and there. We ended our day satisfied with our
finds.
Copyright
©2000-2008 Monmouth County Audubon Society |
