By Scott Barnes, Senior Naturalist

Sandy Hook is an excellent year-round birding location along the northern New Jersey coast.  Migration peaks in April and May and again from late August to mid-November.  In winter the protected coves along the bayside provide seasonal refuge for waterfowl, while loons and other seafowl reside along the ocean side.

Spring

Mid to late April typically sees the peak numbers of northbound migrant raptors: the flights are dominated by Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, and Merlin.  Rarer species recorded at the hawkwatch (staffed daily from March 15—May 15) have included Swallow-tailed Kite, Mississippi Kite, and Golden Eagle.  Passerine migration picks up around mid-April as well, and ever-changing compositions of song birds forage and rest in the hook's areas of
deciduous forest, maritime forest, and coastal scrub/shrub, such as those along the path south of SHBO and in the vicinity of North Pond.  April’s short-distance migrants give way to neotropic songbirds during May.  The annual “Sandy Hook Century Run” in mid-May often records 120+ species in one day.  Good May flights sometimes produce 20 species of warbler.  The best conditions for large numbers of migrants are after the passage of a warm front, with west or southwest winds.

Late Summer to Fall

Southbound migration begins in mid-July with the arrival of adult shorebirds.  Birding really picks up in mid-to-late August, especially after the passage of cold fronts or nights with light west or northwest winds.  The salt pond(s) at the end of the fisherman’s trail have been one place on the Hook where juvenile Baird’s Sandpipers have appeared during August most years.  Other sought-after species that have occurred here have included Hudsonian Godwit, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and Red-necked Phalarope.  September brings a wide variety of passerine migrants and is the peak time for neotropic species.  October is an excellent time to see short-distance migrants like kinglets, creepers, thrushes, and sparrows.  Occasionally there are huge fallouts of these species, especially around the third week of the month.  While diversity decreases in November, this is often a good time to hope for true vagrants.  The best conditions seem to be during unseasonably warm weather associated with moderate to strong winds from the southwest or south.  In the past these conditions have produced Groove-billed Ani, Gray Kingbird (the latter two during October), Cave Swallow, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.

Winter

During winter large numbers of waterfowl often reside in Spermaceti Cove and Horseshoe Cove.  Common species included Brant, American Black Duck, Greater Scaup (sometimes in the thousands), Bufflehead, and Red-breasted Merganser.  In some winters large rafts of scoters are found in the ocean side cove at C-Lot (Chokecherry Beach).  In the last few years this spot of shoreline has been the place to view any Razorbills showing up at the Hook in December and January.  A roving flock of Snow Buntings (sometimes up to 200), often with Horned Larks and an occasional Lapland Longspur, work the beaches during the colder months.  Recent rarer finds at the hook during winter months include Eurasian Wigeon, NJ’s first Long-billed Murrelet, Thick-billed Murre, Snowy Owl, and Western Tanager.

Rarities

One of the more exciting possibilities about birding Sandy Hook is the potential for rarities and vagrants.  Correctly anticipating an excellent migration day at the hook is always a treat and you never know when a truly rare bird may appear.  Over the years the list of avian gems recorded here is long and includes Western Grebe, Gyrfalcon, Wilson’s Plover, Pomarine Jaeger, Arctic Tern, Long-billed Murrelet, Black Guillemot, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Townsend’s Warbler, Henslow’s Sparrow, LeConte’s Sparrow, Harris’s Sparrow, Painted Bunting, and Chestnut-collared Longspur.

Logistics

Birding at the Hook is of the drive-park-walk variety.  A road and a paved path suitable for bicycles extend along the north-south axis of the Hook, with multiple parking areas on or close to either the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula or the Raritan Bay side for stops to bird.  Birding from the car is not possible, due to road speeds (35-45 mph).  Many (but not all) good birding areas are only short distances from the parking lots.  (There are also longer trails for birders seeking to combine exercise and nature viewing.)  Most birding locations feature flat terrain; paths may be unpaved and/or sand in some cases.  The paved multiple-use path and the boardwalk near the Spermaceti Visitor Center permit wheelchair access to excellent birding areas.

A free, detailed birding map of Sandy Hook is available at SHBO; also check the sightings log there for daily reports.