Brrrrr, Winter Birds Blow in Along the Jersey Shore

As if to ring in the winter season, there was still about 15 inches of snow on the ground from the first snowstorm of the season. There was also a frigid wind blowing from the north and the air was bitterly cold. The windchill was 15°F and Sandy Hook Bay had that arctic appearance of water about to ice over.

(A pair of Sanderlings in nonbreeding plumage recently seen at Sandy Hook scanning the winter beach for various invertebrates, such as worms, to eat and stay warm)

It sure felt like winter! Sure enough, after looking at the calendar, it was December 21, time for the winter solstice to arrive.

Spend some time where water meets land and you can sense that the natural world is getting ready for another interesting winter season. Every day, more and more robust warm-blooded animals, such as winter songbirds, waterfowl, and different species of seals, such as Harbor Seals, are arriving around the waters off the Sandy Hook peninsula. For many cold-blooded animals, such as oysters, hard clams, Blue-claw crabs, barnacles, and even the ubiquitous Killifish, the cold temperatures of the water have shut or slowed them down for the winter.

(One of the most beautiful winter birds to be seen along the Jersey Shore, the male Long-tailed Duck)

For those of us who love the outdoors, winter is an especially good time to study the Jersey Shore. Gone are the hordes of tourists, crowded parking lots, and nasty beach fees.  Yet, winter is also a time to be smart and respect the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite. The best approach is to bundle up in layers and don't forget a hat and food to keep you warm.

Early morning during last winter solstice, I was bundled up in a heavy jacket, thermal pants, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. This is the only way to spend any length of time along a winter beach. It turned out, though, the bulky clothes were worth it.

(A male Black Scoter is a common diving duck along the ocean shores of Sandy Hook during the winter. Take note of the rather large bright yellow knob on its beak)

As the sun rose over the Atlantic Ocean, a bustle of animal activity ensued where the waters of the sea meet up with Sandy Hook Bay. There were birds, birds, birds, all over the place. The latest blast of Arctic air to hit the Jersey Shore seemed to bring a sense of urgency among many birds to stay warm and find food.

There were several Great Blue Herons huddled close and seeking some still active fish in a narrow tidal waterway. More than anything , though, there were scores of Black ducks, Mallards, Brant, and migrating Canada Geese all seeking a watery meal as well.

That wasn't all. A kingfisher could be seen in the distance and about twenty Buffleheads, 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, and many Black Scoters swimming in the water. I observed from my spotting scope several mergansers, a jumble of males and females, diving repeatedly near the edge of the shoreline and coming up, more often than not, with a fish.

(An American Tree Sparrow was recently seen seeking seeds in a saltwater wetland at Sandy Hook)

Up a bit on land, in a tidal marsh, the American Tree Sparrow was a real treat and a new bird for me at that site. It is an attractive winter visitor from northern Canada and Newfoundland. Joined by a number of Song Sparrows, the two sparrows were seeking out a meal of seeds on former weedy habitat. on or near the ground. Out near the end of the bay, I saw and heard several Long-tailed ducks. All the critters were searching hard for breakfast that morning.

(A Red-throated Loon in non-breeding plumage recently seen near the winter beach at Sandy Hook)

The winter solstice has finally arrived to the Jersey Shore. This does not mean, however, that the coast should be avoided. You may have to dress warmly for now to withstand the biting winds off the water, but for the time being, the short days and long, cold nights have their effect in changing the beach. The winter beach is a wonderful place to see warm-blooded wildlife that are not there during the warmer months. I can't say if you will enjoy the winter beach or not, but with a cup of hot chocolate in my hand and scores of seals in the water or beautiful bird life to observe through my spotting scope, the cold hardly matter to me at all.