Black-tailed Godwit – Chincoteague NWR

Posted on March 23, 2013 by birdquest2004

We struck out on the Lapwing and moved on to Salem, NJ.  There had been a Crested Caracara in the area most of the winter.  It had been feeding on carrion in the Featherbed Lane, across Auburn-Sharptown Road area.  Rick and I spent a few hours cruising the roads in the area,  We didn’t see the Caracara, so off we went in seach of the nearest Comfort Inn.  I needed a good nights sleep, lots of miles of driving had taken their toll.

Once we’d had some dinner and returned to our room, I checked the ABA Rare Bird Reports.  I found that a Black-tailed  Godwit was being seen in Virginia.

It had been spotted in the Chincoteague NWR ( National Wildlife Refuge), on Chincoteague Island.  This was another 3 hours south of us.  We had a hard decision to make:  drive in search of the Caracara and bird Cape May the next day or go for the Godwit.  The Godwit was a lifebird for Rick and I.  The Caracara was a life bird for Rick.  We had a lengthy debate and then decided to sleep on it.

When the wakeup call came at 6am, We both decided the Godwit was worth the drive.  We could also search for a Caracara that was seen in Delaware in the afternoon.

We drove straight to the spot, 187 miles, pulled into the parking area and saw the birders, scopes and cameras.  Bird #637 was in the books.

The 2nd photo shows the bird in breeding plumage, taken in Iceland.  We also found 3 Piping Plovers on the beach and I managed to get a flight shot (inset), the small raptors were constantly harassing the shorebirds.

The Godwit was a bit further out than I would have liked for a great photo but with the number of people who were enjoying this bird and those still to come.  A distant photo served the purpose.

Black-tailedGodwit

BlackTailedGodwit2

Piping

 

 

 

Ciao for now…..

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Barnegat Light, NJ

Posted on March 21, 2013 by birdquest2004

After a good nights sleep, We drove the short distance to New Egypt, NJ.  There had been 3  Northern Lapwings, overwintering on a farm in the area.  We arrived at first light but the Lapwings were nowhere to be seen.  It figures I knew a trip started on the 13th day of 13th year, could never go as planned.

We stayed until 11am, hoping and scoping but no luck.  We decided to take a run over to Barnegat Light which was a short 45 minute drive.  I had been there before and gotten some good birds and photographs.  I figured we could always come back later that day and check for the Lapwings.

According to Wikipedia:  Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County was regarded as one of the most crucial “change of course” points for coastal vessels.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park has a walkable rock jetty, which is usually loaded with birds.  It runs along the shore for about 800+ metres. In the winter months it can be trecherous on those rocks if they are icy, for equipment and bodies alike.  There are usually many birds swimming along the jetty, within 10 feet from shore and shorebirds aplenty among the rocks, feeding.  In January and into March, Sanderlings, Dunlin, Purple Sandpipers, Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, all 3 scoters, Brant, 2 species of loons are common.  Many gulls are in the area, mostley Herring and Ring-billed but a Glaucous was seen the day after we left.

Another great bird was the Ipswich Sparrow, that breed only on Sable Island in Nova Scotia and winters in the Barnegat area.

The birds at this location are very approachable with camera or binoculars, some excellent views.  Below are some examples.

BarnegatLighthouse

DunlinBarn

PSandpiper

1stWGBBG

Ipswich

Gannet

RTurnstone

RBMerg

Be careful out there on the Jetty rocks, it can be slippery and wet and in winter ICY.

BarnegatJetty

Ciao for Now…..

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