Red Bank (Middletown), New Jersey

David Saidnawey

David Saidnawey

We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.

Red Bank (Middletown), New Jersey

Union Square Shopping Center,
478 Route 35
Red Bank (Middletown), NJ 07701

Phone: (732) 345-5070
Fax: (732) 345-5072
Email: Send Message

Store Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Bird Walk Notes

Bird Walks Are Led By Our Resident Naturalist Bruce Fetz

SUMMER EVENING BIRD WALK AT SANDY HOOK
August 22, 2008

Fifteen of us gathered at the Visitor’s Center for an evening birding walk at 6 PM on Friday, August 22. The weather was great; sunny with a light breeze and 75 degrees.

We started are walk, as usual, at the boardwalk overlooking Spermaceti Cove. Here is what we found there:

  • Barn and Tree Swallows were flying over the marsh
  • Two Ospreys flew in and landed on the nesting platform
  • Along the edge of the cove we saw 5 Snowy Egrets, 1 Great Egret, and 1 Great Blue Heron
  • A Marsh Wren sang, but was not seen
  • Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats called from the bushes

We next drove to the north end and went onto the Hawk-watch platform, from which we observed:

  • A number of Tree Swallows circling above us
  • Eastern Towhees and Gray Catbirds called from the bushes
  •  A huge flock of Common Terns flew up from the beach
  •  A small flock of Double-crested Cormorants was seen flying over the ocean

We then stopped at the Auditorium on the bay side.  It was here that we found:

  • A Killdeer which flew up from the rocks as we approached
  • A Semipalmated Plover, first perched on the rocks, then gave us great views on the mud flat
  • One Ruddy Turnstone, in winter plumage, showed up near the rocks
  • Four American Oystercatchers were seen flying away

 Finally we made our way to the wildlife blind at South Pond.

  • From the parking area we saw a Hawk dive into the Holly Forest.  Based on its size and general shape, I guess that it was a Cooper’s Hawk
  • At South Pond we saw about 20 Black-crowned Night Herons roosting in the trees. As it became dark these birds took off to begin their night of hunting

As it became darker, throngs of gnats and mosquitoes descended upon us. We all agreed it was time to call it a day. Overall, though, it was a great evening at Sandy Hook

 

Osprey

Osprey

                                                           

Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhee

 

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

 

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

 

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret