Re: Barnegat Light/Inlet

I just found this report on the DVOC website. I have copied it from there.

"RED-THROATED LOONS, BROWN PELICAN, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park on Nov 9."

Can't wait to go!

New Jersey Audubon reports 3 Harlequins so they are just starting to come in. By early December, there should be a good number spread out along the jetty.

The Purple Sandpipers are also beginning to show.

I have to make my first trip there sometime soon.

I'd give it a couple more weeks. More Harlequins will show up as will more Loons (Common and Red-throated), Purple Sandpipers, etc.

Just a couple of words of advice. Be careful out there. Near the lighthouse, the jetty is covered by a cement walkway. But quickly the railed walkway ends and the rocks continue on for like a half mile. Those rocks while flat for the most part can be very slippery on a cold winter morning. I know. I fell out there last year. Saved the camera but banged up my knees, etc pretty well. The majority of the Harlequins are farther out along the jetty. I also got caught in the back by a wave that came up over the jetty while I was focusing on some Purple Sandpipers on the jetty rocks.

But its worth it when you get some great images of one of the most beautiful ducks in the world! :)

Harlequins are among my favorite ducks, they are beautiful and I like their sounds. Last winter I fell on Cape Ann on icy rocks and almost fell into the ocean. The images looked good, though. :)

Thanks for all the information Ed. I will also wait a couple of weeks before my treck up there. I'm heading to Easton MD. for a big wildfowl show tomorrow. Though the weather doesn't look great, we'll pack our gear anyway.

I was at Barnegat light this morning. Plenty of Harlequins plus black bellied plovers on the jetty. I didn't see any eiders, scoters or purple sandpipers today. A few common loons in winter plumage but too far out to photograph.

It felt like January, temperature in the 20's with the wind blowing a gale.

Thanks for the update, Art. I want to get down there soon and photograph the Harlequins again but I think we are going to do the North Shore tomorrow an see what the lakes and inlets hold.