Readers of a sensitive disposition or a slow internet connection beware.
You’ve been warned!
Prologue.
The alarm was set for 4AM so out of bed, feed the beasties, make her indoors a cup of tea for the Yeti so she won’t be grumpy at having to make her own tea when she gets up. Grab my stuff and on the road Eastbound at 5AM for Barnegat Light State Park and the Jetty of Watery Doom. Missing out on breakfast I was hungry so I stopped at a Shiny Diner a few miles out of Surf City on Long Beach Island (the New Jersey LBI, not the New York one).
After a nice bit of nourishment it was back on the road over Manahawkin Bay to Surf City. Turning NE it’s about another 8 miles up the narrow Long Beach Island to Barnegat Light State Park and I arrived just before 9AM. There were several cars there when I arrived which was good as it’s not a good idea to go out on the Jetty of Watery Doom on your own. I walked across the sand alongside the jetty looking without success for the Snow Buntings. It’s 0.7 mile walk to the beach where I got up onto the jetty and walked out as far as I dare and parked my bum/ass on one of the few dry rocks as the strong southerly wind was creating a lot of splashes. There was one birder guy right out further than my comfort zone allows. If I slipped and broke something she’d kill me then divorce me without a doubt. So I got my foam seat thingy and sat there snapping away for a couple of hours.
High tide was at 11:23 from memory so I got down off the jetty and walked back through the dunes looking for the Snow Buntings again without success.
Heading off the island I stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts to refuel on a Cappuccino and a croissant and headed to Whiting NJ for the Red-flanked Bluetail. I’d seen it early in the month but as I was nearby I thought I’d have another go. I dipped this time around. I left there at 2:15PM and arrived home just before 5PM and the herd was at the door wanting their food. I enjoyed my day out in the sunshine.
Cracking photos Mike
Cheers Brian, it’s a great place and I try and visit several times in the winter so long as it’s not a frigid Northerly wind blowing!
Hi Mike, great shots!
Warning though, you keep eating brekkies like that and your silhouette will block out that sun
Once in a blue moon Andy. Yeah I am a fat B’tard!
Great shots Mike….Ducks to dive for! 🤣
Very impressed with the Scoters, Long-tailed and Harlequin, certainly ducks I need to re-aquaint myself with…praps one day.👍
If you come over for the Harlequins you need to bring your Arctic gear as it can be brutal out on that Jetty.