A birder’s meetup
(trip canceled in the event of threatening weather)
Meet at 12:30 pm at the Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area parking lot, 391 3rd Avenue, Manasquan (five minutes from the intersection of Main Street and Route 71)
Our afternoon will start just before low tide at the 55-acre Monmouth County Fisherman Cove Conservation Area, the last undeveloped tract of land along the Manasquan Inlet. We will bird woodlands and fields as we work our way to the salt marsh. In past Decembers, Fisherman’s Cove has hosted Carolina chickadees, both kinglets, blue-headed vireo, winter and marsh wrens, purple finch, sparrows including the American tree and seaside, and orange-crowned warbler. After exploring these areas, we will move to the Manasquan side of the inlet where, depending on winds and weather, we can hope to see hundreds of northern gannets, all three scoters, common eiders, both loon species, horned grebes, great cormorants, purple sandpipers, and perhaps a razorbill or two. If time allows, we will explore nearby ponds for ducks and other waterfowl.
We will finish at 3:30 pm. There are no bathrooms at this location. Dress for what is likely to be very cold, windy weather. Bring binoculars, a snack, and something warm to drink. If you have one, a spotting scope can be useful here, especially along the shore and jetty. Should the weather be threatening, please check the Montclair Bird Club website the evening before for confirmation or cancellation. For more information, write MBCoutings@gmail.com.
From the Montclair area, take the Garden State Parkway south to exit 98, for NJ 34 South. Take NJ 34 south to the traffic circle. Take the third exit to continue on NJ 34 South. Turn right onto Higgins Avenue, left onto Union Avenue, and right onto Fisk Avenue. Continue on Brielle Road. Turn right onto 3rd Avenue. At the intersection with Pompano Avenue, turn left into the parking lot.
Alternatively, if you want lunch or coffee beforehand, plot directions for the Manasquan train station, which will bring you down Main Street. There is a Dunkin’ Donuts on Rt. 71, which is an option for a bathroom stop.
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