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| Good Locations for Winter Bird Watching in or near New Jersey |
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1. Introduction
In winter season, huge number of migratory birds left the frozen northern Canada and Alaska and migrates
south to warmer areas with open water. Therefore, winter season offers us special opportunities to enjoy
watching huge number of colorful migratory birds in or near New Jersey that we normally do not see in other
seasons, such as tens of thousands of snow geese, beautiful Harlequin ducks, hooded mergansers, loons,
gannets, mallards, Brandt, bald eagles, seals, large herd (>100) of deer, etc..
Some friends asked me for good locations in or near New Jersey for bird watching and bird photography in
the winter season. In responding to such request for winter birding locations, I compiled a list of such locations
as shown on this web page. This list includes links to my relevant Travelogue web pages with many photos,
movie clips and detailed information on the locations, the maps, timing, phone numbers of visitor centers and
the associated directions on how to get there.
However, occasionally the weather in New Jersey can also get so cold that the water in fresh water lakes,
ponds, rivers and impoundments are also frozen. In those special cold days, most migratory birds will leave
New Jersey and migrate further south.
2. Winter Birding Locations
The good locations for winter bird watching and wildlife watching in or near New Jersey are listed in the
following:
Barnegat Light Inlet (Harlequin Duck) in New Jersey: Every winter, a group of beautiful Harlequin
ducks migrates south from eastern Canada to Barnegat Light Inlet in New Jersey. Many other colorful
waterfowl also show up in Barnegat Light area in the winter season. Photos and more information are on my
web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Harlequin_Ducks.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Water_Fowl_in_Barnegat.html
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (100,000 Snow Geese) in Delaware: In the winter
season, about 100,000 snow geese come to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Delaware.
From mid-New Jersey, it takes about two and half hour driving time to reach this NWR. Photos, movie clips
and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bombay_Hook.html
The phone number of the visitor center of Bombay Hook NWR is 302-653-6872. It is worthwhile to call the
visitor center to make sure that many snow geese are in this NWR before you start your long driving trip to
visit this NWR.
Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is near the sunset time to see
the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying back from certain farm fields to
converge into their evening roosting pond. It is fantastic to see 50,000 to 100,000 snow geese concentrated
on their roosting pond in the evening. The large body of water (of the pond or the lake or the reservoir)
provides good protection against predators so that snow geese can sleep safely on the pond at night. In the
day time, many snow geese fly out to certain farm fields to feed on waste grains. We may not know which
farm field(s) they go to in the day time. But their evening roosting pond is usually well known.
Conowingo Dam (about 100 Bald Eagles) on Susquehanna River in northern Maryland: In the
winter season, lakes and rivers in northern Canada and Alaska are frozen such that bald eagles cannot catch
fish on those frozen lakes and rivers. Therefore, many bald eagles migrate south to look for open water where
they can catch fish to eat. In the winter season, as many as 100 bald eagles and 20,000 other fishing birds
have been seen at the Conowingo Dam on Susquehanna River in northern Maryland busily catching fish. The
two important reasons that these bald eagles and 20,000 fishing birds come here in the winter season are (1)
After coming down through the large hydroelectric turbines in the Conowingo Dam, the water rush out from
under the dam creating powerful turbulent water near the base of dam. The powerful turbulent water from the
dam prevents the water from freezing up in the winter so that many fish remain accessible by these fishing
birds in the winter in this area, and (2) Many fish coming through the hydroelectric turbines and the powerful
turbulent water are stunned by such powerful turbulence. The powerful turbulence flushes the stunned or
injured fish to the water surface such that those fish become easy targets for these fishing birds to catch.
However, the release of water from Conowingo Dam is intermittent, not continuous all the time. When the
water is not rushing out from the base of the dam, many fishing birds are standing on the rocks, or perching on
the trees or on the steel tower waiting for action. Many bird watchers are also waiting. Everything is quiet here
during such waiting periods that may last 2 or 3 hours. There are also some anglers fishing on the river bank
here. For safety reason, the dam administrator will sound the alarm siren and have several red lights in this
area flashing twice before it starts to release the powerful and turbulent water. When this happens, everything
here come alive, all those bald eagles and more than 20,000 fishing birds take to the air for action to catch
fish. Therefore, it is worthwhile to stay in this area long enough to see such fantastic actions with huge number
of fishing birds in the air and diving down to the water surface to catch fish. From mid-New Jersey, it takes
about 2 hours of driving to reach the eagle watching parking lot at Conowingo Dam.
Although a few "resident" bald eagles may be here all year around, the best period to see large number of
"migratory" bald eagles near this dam is the one month period from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Photos and
more detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bald_Eagle_P_2.html
Delaware Bay (many Diving Gannets) : In late March and early April, many large sea birds,
gannets, begin to migrate north along American east coast towards their summer breeding grounds in eastern
Canada. The sun in the early spring warms the water in the Delaware Bay, and the sun thaws out the mud and
soil in wetlands. Additionally, spring rains discharge nutrients and food into the water in the bay. All this activity
helps to create vast populations of plankton in the water in the bay, which in turn helps to feed many small fish,
such as herring. Plankton rich food in the bay, along with warmer water temperatures, attract large schools of
fish, such as Alewife, Blueback Herring and Shad in Atlantic ocean, to enter into Delaware Bay and Sandy
Hook Bay. For the several weeks in early spring, these fish have been waiting patiently off the coast of New
Jersey for just the right conditions to enter these bays, feed, and then head upstream to freshwater portions
of the Delaware River, Raritan River, and Navesink rivers to spawn.
These large schools of fish attract many migrating gannets to enter the bay in pursuit of herring, mackerel,
menhaden, squid, and other prey.
Therefore, the ferry crossing the Delaware Bay in the last week of March and the first week of April provides
excellent opportunities for bird watchers to get close-up views of many gannets in action without the need for
powerful telescopes. Photos, movie clips and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Crossing_Delaware_Bay.html
Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park in Millstone Aqueduct in
Princeton/Plainsboro area: has many waterfowl in the winter season. Photos and detailed information
are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_Birding_At_Princeton.html
Dorbrook Park Recreational Area (Hundreds of Deer) in Colts Neck, New Jersey: Winter
season seems to be the mating season of deer. Hundreds of deer congregate at the open fields of Dorbrook
Park Recreational Area in Colts Neck. They may be roaming among several large open fields separated by
tree lines in this area. Visitors may have to walk one or two miles crossing tree lines to look for them in one of
several large open fields. There are also many colorful waterfowl in nearby Swimming River Reservoir in
Lincroft-Colts Neck area. Photos, movie clips and detailed information are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Large_Herd_of_deer_in_Colts_Neck.html
http://www.shltrip.com/December_2010_in_New_Jersey.html
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) at Brigantine on New Jersey coast, a few
miles north of Atlantic City: This is a good location to see many birds in the winter season, in addition to other
seasons. Sometimes, thousands of snow geese may also show up in this NWR in winter season. Photos,
commentary, location and direction are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Forsythe_Brigantine_NWF.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Forsythe_Brigantine_Part_2.html
Great Kills Park at eastern shore of Staten Island (Many Sea Birds): located at 3270 Hylan
Blvd., Staten Island, New York. The entrance to Great Kills Park is at the junction of Hyland Blvd & Buffalo St.,
on Staten Island. The name Great Kills originates from a Dutch word meaning "many creeks." In the cold
winter season, Lower New York Bay, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay are often quite active with a huge
assortment of bird life such as Greater Scaup, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Coots, Brant, Scoters, Ruddies, and
Goldeneyes. These birds can be seen in these bays only during the winter. These seabirds thrive well in biting
winds, freezing temperatures, and lots of snow and ice. They are hardy, resilient birds. From this park, one
may see large and long floating rafts of huge number of winter seabirds. Sometimes, huge number of these
seabirds are flying in the sky over these bays. See the last three pictures at the following web page:
http://www.shltrip.com/Raritan_Bay_Waterfront.html
Keyport Water Front Park: Many winter birds also come to Keyport Harbor as shown on my web page
at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Keyport_Waterfront_Park.html
Liberty State Park is a green oasis in the middle of Metropolitan northern New Jersey. With the
Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop, Liberty State Park is a
local birding hotspot. With a mix of large open fields, marshland, a pine grove, weedy margins and mudflats
when the tide goes out, it offers up a plethora of birding habitats. It is especially good in winter. There are
lots of different types of colorful waterfowl and large number of several kinds of gulls. There is also a Snowy
Owl which turns up here almost every winter. Even on the parking lot in the winter, one can see large number
of gulls in the air and on the ground. Some people throw bread crumbs up into the air and many gulls will do
interesting and fancy flips, twists, and turns in the air to catch the falling bread crumbs. It is a good place for
bird photographers to practice their skills for taking good action photos when these birds are in fancy actions.
William Boyle, in his book entitled "Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey", mentions red-necked grebe; great
cormorant; Eurasian wigeon; lesser golden plover; little, common black-headed, Iceland, and glaucous gulls;
all three scoters; northern harrier; short-eared owl; purple sandpiper; clapper rail; horned lark; snow bunting;
and white-crowned and Lincoln's sparrows in his description of the bird life in Liberty State Park. Particularly
good spots are the dense plantings that have been made south of the Environmental Interpretative Center; the
salt marsh; tidal mudflats south of the park that can easily be viewed from the parking area; and a small
freshwater pond north of the Environmental Interpretative Center. Some visitors go for a leisurely stroll along
the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in search of winter birds to the park. Possible species sightings may
include ruddy ducks, mergansers, grebes, buffleheads and many more.
Maps and more information on Hudson River Waterfront Walkway can be seen at the following websites:
http://www.libertygap.org/hudson-guide.html
http://www.libertystatepark.org/newportlspbike.html
Liberty State Park is located at Morris Pesin Drive & Freedom Way, Jersey City, NJ 07305, Phone:
201-915-3440
Map: Click here to see an interactive Google Map for Liberty State Park
Manasquan Reservoir in Howell, New Jersey: There is a bald eagle nest at Manasquan
Reservoir. In the winter and spring seasons, visitors can see a pair of bald eagles hatching eggs and raising
eaglets on this nest. One may also see hawks and other waterfowl at Manasquan Reservoir. Photos and
more information are on my web pages at:
http://shltrip.com/More_on_Flowers_and_Bird_Watching_in_NJ_Page_2.html
Matts Landing and Heislerville Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located at 114 Matts
Landing Road (i.e., Rt. 736), Heislerville, NJ 08324, at the Junction of Matts Landing Road and Maurice River
Road or the Junction of Matts Landing Road and Station Road. Phone: (856) 785-0455. This WMA offers
scenic views of salt water impoundments, the Maurice River, and large mudflats that provide varied habitat for
wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Take a drive on the unpaved 8-mile auto-trail driving loop (with many
pot holes) around the impoundments during any season to see an abundance of wildlife. Several bird photos
from Matts Landing can be seen on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Birding-1.html
In the winter season, unless they are frozen, the impoundments in Matts Landing are one of the best places to
see a variety of waterfowl in the winter. There is usually open water near the spillways where the birds will
concentrate. Look for Red-breasted Merganser and Bufflehead, along with the showy Hooded Merganser and
Ruddy Duck. Keep an eye open for grebes as well. Thousands of Snow Geese feed in the salt marshes.
Make sure to glance over the river for diving ducks, cormorants, and loons.
Website: Click here for website of Matts Landing and Heislerville WMA
Map: Click here to see interactive Google Map for Matts Landing and Heislerville WMA
Meadowlands Richard W. Dekorte Park of Meadowlands Environmental Center located at 2
Dekorte Park Plaza, (At south-east end of Valley Brook Avenue), Lyndhurst, NJ 07071. Phone:
201-460-8300. This 110-acre park is an open wetland with several large impoundments and marsh and is a
vital migratory rest stop for thousands of ducks, geese, and shorebirds. More than 270 species of birds live in
or visit this area. There are several hiking trails ranging from 1/2 mile to 3 miles along the impoundments for
bird watching. They are quite beautiful and offer great opportunities for photographers, bird watchers, and
nature-lovers. The glass-enclosed Visitor's Center extends out into the marsh to offer a panoramic view,
perfect for viewing wildlife feeding and resting in the water below. Park and Trail Map can be seen at:
http://www.njmeadowlands.gov/doc_archive/NJMC%20Doc%20Archive/enviro_docs/2013DeKorteTrailsLR.pdf
Merrill Creek Reservoir in western New Jersey (about 50,000 Snow Geese): In early
spring, huge number of snow geese and many swans show up in Merrill Creek reservoir in Harmony in
western New Jersey for about two-week period. This period may be last week of February and the first week
of March, but this two-week period may vary from year to year depending on how long is the cold and frozen
winter.
From East Brunswick, New Jersey, it takes about one hour driving time to reach this reservoir. Photos, movie
clips and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Merrill_Creek_Reservoir.html
This reservoir area is NOT the winter ground for the snow geese. In other words, the snow geese do not stay
at this reservoir area for the entire winter season. This reservoir area is just a resting and re-fueling stop area
for the snow geese on their spring migration north. They stop at this reservoir area for about two weeks in
early spring.
The phone number of visitor center of Merrill Creek Reservoir is (908) 454-1213. It is important that you call
the visitor center to make sure that huge number of snow geese have arrived and are at this reservoir before
you start your long drive to come to this reservoir to watch the snow geese.
During the day time, many of these snow geese may leave these reservoirs and go foraging for waste grains
on some nearby farm fields. Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is
near the sunset time to see the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying
back from certain farm fields and converging into their evening roosting large reservoir or large lake. For
important safety reason, they roost at night floating in the middle of a large lake to avoid being attacked by
predators while they are sleeping.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (about 50,000 Snow Geese) in southeastern
Pennsylvania: In early spring, about 50,000 snow geese and many swans show up in Middle Creek Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) in Lancaster County in Amish territory in southeastern Pennsylvania for about
two-week period. This period may be last week of February and the first week of March, but this two-week
period may vary from year to year depending on how long is the cold and frozen winter. F
From mid-New Jersey, it takes about two and half hour driving time to reach this WMA. Photos, movie clips
and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Snow_Geese_50000_of_Them_All_Over_the_Sky.html
This WMA area is NOT the winter ground for the snow geese. In other words, the snow geese do not stay at
this WMA area for the entire winter season. This WMA area is just a resting and re-fueling stop area for the
snow geese on their spring migration north. They stop at this WMA area for only about two weeks in early
spring.
The phone number of visitor center of Middle Creek WMA is (717) 733-1512. It is important that you call the
visitor center to make sure that huge number of snow geese have arrived and are at this WMA area before
you start your long drive to come to this WMA to watch the snow geese.
During the day time, many of these snow geese may leave these reservoirs and go foraging for waste grains
on some nearby farm fields. Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is
near the sunset time to see the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying
back from certain farm fields and converging into their evening roosting large reservoir or large lake. For
important safety reason, they roost at night floating in the middle of a large lake to avoid being attacked by
predators while they are sleeping.
Mill Pond Park in Milltown in New Jersey: In winter, many waterfowl such as hooded mergansers,
mallards and Canada geese can be seen on the Mill Pond as shown on the web page of May Lee at:
http://mayleesart.com/120112MillPondPark.html
Mill Pond Park is located at one block east of the bridge on S. Main St. (i.e., County Rd. 606) in Milltown, New
Jersey shown as Location D on the map of Milltown at:
http://www.milltownnj.org/images/MilltownMap.gif
Mill Pond is a section of the dammed tributary, Lawrence Brook, of Raritan River, passing through Milltown in
New Jersey.
Similarly, many water fowl including swans can also be seen on the DeVoe Lake near the junction of DeVoe
Ave and Mundy Ave in Spotswood, New Jersey. DeVoe Lake is also a dammed lake on another tributary of
Raritan River.
Mt. Mitchill Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands in New Jersey with fantastic panoramic view of Sandy
Hook Bay and New York Skyline. With powerful binoculars, or telescope or super-zoom camera, Mt. Mitchill
Scenic Overlook is an excellent place to see seals sun bathing on sand bar in Sandy Hook Bay and to see
many gannets diving from mid-air down into Sandy Hook Bay to catch fish. Photos and detailed information are
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_at_Sandy_Hook.html
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy in New Jersey: Huge number of seagulls and Brandt
can be seen at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in the winter season. Photos and detailed information are on my
web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Raritan_Bay_Waterfront.html
Sandy Hook Bay:
In winter season, many seabirds show up in Sandy Hook Bay as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_at_Sandy_Hook.html
Many Diving Gannets on Sandy Hook Bay: In late March and early April, many large sea birds,
gannets, begin to migrate north along American east coast towards their summer breeding/nesting grounds in
eastern Canada. The sun in the early spring warms the water in the Sandy Hook Bay, and the sun thaws out
the mud and soil in wetlands. Additionally, spring rains discharge nutrients and food into the water in the bay.
All this activity helps to create vast populations of plankton in the water in the bay, which in turn helps to feed
many small fish, such s herring. Plankton rich food in the bay, along with warmer water temperatures, attract
large schools of fish, such as Alewife, Blueback Herring and Shad in Atlantic ocean, to enter into Sandy Hook
Bay. For the several weeks in early spring, these fish have been waiting patiently off the coast of New Jersey
for just the right conditions to enter these bays, feed, and then head upstream to freshwater portions of the
Delaware River, Raritan River, and Navesink rivers to spawn.
These large schools of fish attract many migrating gannets to enter the bay in pursuit of herring, mackerel,
menhaden, squid, and other prey.
Therefore, March and early April provide excellent opportunities for bird watchers to view many gannets in
action on Sandy Hook Bay. Photos and detailed information are available at the following websites:
http://www.shltrip.com/Gannet_Sandy_Hook.html
http://www.ahherald.com/columns-mainmenu-28/old-oak-trail/8281-gannet-a-osprey-week-in-sandy-hook-bay
Shark River Inlet. New Jersey: Many seagulls often follow the fishing party boat coming from ocean
into Shark River Inlet. In the spring season, thousands of terns, piping plovers and black skimmers are nesting
on the protected beach just south of Shark River Inlet as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lots_of_Birds_at_Shark_River_Inlet.html
Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft-Colts Neck, New Jersey: In winter season, there are
many colorful waterfowl at Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft-Colts Neck area. I have also seen a bald
eagle flying over the Swimming River Reservoir. Photos and more information are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/More_on_Flowers_and_Bird_Watching_in_NJ_Page_2.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Large_Herd_of_deer_in_Colts_Neck.html
The web page above describes some ways to reach the shore of Swimming River Reservoir from Dorbrook
Recreation Area in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Another way to reach the shore of Swimming River Reservoir is
from Thompson Park in Lincroft, New Jersey as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Summer_in_Thompson_Park.html
In winter season, huge number of migratory birds left the frozen northern Canada and Alaska and migrates
south to warmer areas with open water. Therefore, winter season offers us special opportunities to enjoy
watching huge number of colorful migratory birds in or near New Jersey that we normally do not see in other
seasons, such as tens of thousands of snow geese, beautiful Harlequin ducks, hooded mergansers, loons,
gannets, mallards, Brandt, bald eagles, seals, large herd (>100) of deer, etc..
Some friends asked me for good locations in or near New Jersey for bird watching and bird photography in
the winter season. In responding to such request for winter birding locations, I compiled a list of such locations
as shown on this web page. This list includes links to my relevant Travelogue web pages with many photos,
movie clips and detailed information on the locations, the maps, timing, phone numbers of visitor centers and
the associated directions on how to get there.
However, occasionally the weather in New Jersey can also get so cold that the water in fresh water lakes,
ponds, rivers and impoundments are also frozen. In those special cold days, most migratory birds will leave
New Jersey and migrate further south.
2. Winter Birding Locations
The good locations for winter bird watching and wildlife watching in or near New Jersey are listed in the
following:
Barnegat Light Inlet (Harlequin Duck) in New Jersey: Every winter, a group of beautiful Harlequin
ducks migrates south from eastern Canada to Barnegat Light Inlet in New Jersey. Many other colorful
waterfowl also show up in Barnegat Light area in the winter season. Photos and more information are on my
web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Harlequin_Ducks.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Water_Fowl_in_Barnegat.html
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (100,000 Snow Geese) in Delaware: In the winter
season, about 100,000 snow geese come to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Delaware.
From mid-New Jersey, it takes about two and half hour driving time to reach this NWR. Photos, movie clips
and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bombay_Hook.html
The phone number of the visitor center of Bombay Hook NWR is 302-653-6872. It is worthwhile to call the
visitor center to make sure that many snow geese are in this NWR before you start your long driving trip to
visit this NWR.
Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is near the sunset time to see
the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying back from certain farm fields to
converge into their evening roosting pond. It is fantastic to see 50,000 to 100,000 snow geese concentrated
on their roosting pond in the evening. The large body of water (of the pond or the lake or the reservoir)
provides good protection against predators so that snow geese can sleep safely on the pond at night. In the
day time, many snow geese fly out to certain farm fields to feed on waste grains. We may not know which
farm field(s) they go to in the day time. But their evening roosting pond is usually well known.
Conowingo Dam (about 100 Bald Eagles) on Susquehanna River in northern Maryland: In the
winter season, lakes and rivers in northern Canada and Alaska are frozen such that bald eagles cannot catch
fish on those frozen lakes and rivers. Therefore, many bald eagles migrate south to look for open water where
they can catch fish to eat. In the winter season, as many as 100 bald eagles and 20,000 other fishing birds
have been seen at the Conowingo Dam on Susquehanna River in northern Maryland busily catching fish. The
two important reasons that these bald eagles and 20,000 fishing birds come here in the winter season are (1)
After coming down through the large hydroelectric turbines in the Conowingo Dam, the water rush out from
under the dam creating powerful turbulent water near the base of dam. The powerful turbulent water from the
dam prevents the water from freezing up in the winter so that many fish remain accessible by these fishing
birds in the winter in this area, and (2) Many fish coming through the hydroelectric turbines and the powerful
turbulent water are stunned by such powerful turbulence. The powerful turbulence flushes the stunned or
injured fish to the water surface such that those fish become easy targets for these fishing birds to catch.
However, the release of water from Conowingo Dam is intermittent, not continuous all the time. When the
water is not rushing out from the base of the dam, many fishing birds are standing on the rocks, or perching on
the trees or on the steel tower waiting for action. Many bird watchers are also waiting. Everything is quiet here
during such waiting periods that may last 2 or 3 hours. There are also some anglers fishing on the river bank
here. For safety reason, the dam administrator will sound the alarm siren and have several red lights in this
area flashing twice before it starts to release the powerful and turbulent water. When this happens, everything
here come alive, all those bald eagles and more than 20,000 fishing birds take to the air for action to catch
fish. Therefore, it is worthwhile to stay in this area long enough to see such fantastic actions with huge number
of fishing birds in the air and diving down to the water surface to catch fish. From mid-New Jersey, it takes
about 2 hours of driving to reach the eagle watching parking lot at Conowingo Dam.
Although a few "resident" bald eagles may be here all year around, the best period to see large number of
"migratory" bald eagles near this dam is the one month period from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Photos and
more detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bald_Eagle_P_2.html
Delaware Bay (many Diving Gannets) : In late March and early April, many large sea birds,
gannets, begin to migrate north along American east coast towards their summer breeding grounds in eastern
Canada. The sun in the early spring warms the water in the Delaware Bay, and the sun thaws out the mud and
soil in wetlands. Additionally, spring rains discharge nutrients and food into the water in the bay. All this activity
helps to create vast populations of plankton in the water in the bay, which in turn helps to feed many small fish,
such as herring. Plankton rich food in the bay, along with warmer water temperatures, attract large schools of
fish, such as Alewife, Blueback Herring and Shad in Atlantic ocean, to enter into Delaware Bay and Sandy
Hook Bay. For the several weeks in early spring, these fish have been waiting patiently off the coast of New
Jersey for just the right conditions to enter these bays, feed, and then head upstream to freshwater portions
of the Delaware River, Raritan River, and Navesink rivers to spawn.
These large schools of fish attract many migrating gannets to enter the bay in pursuit of herring, mackerel,
menhaden, squid, and other prey.
Therefore, the ferry crossing the Delaware Bay in the last week of March and the first week of April provides
excellent opportunities for bird watchers to get close-up views of many gannets in action without the need for
powerful telescopes. Photos, movie clips and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Crossing_Delaware_Bay.html
Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park in Millstone Aqueduct in
Princeton/Plainsboro area: has many waterfowl in the winter season. Photos and detailed information
are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_Birding_At_Princeton.html
Dorbrook Park Recreational Area (Hundreds of Deer) in Colts Neck, New Jersey: Winter
season seems to be the mating season of deer. Hundreds of deer congregate at the open fields of Dorbrook
Park Recreational Area in Colts Neck. They may be roaming among several large open fields separated by
tree lines in this area. Visitors may have to walk one or two miles crossing tree lines to look for them in one of
several large open fields. There are also many colorful waterfowl in nearby Swimming River Reservoir in
Lincroft-Colts Neck area. Photos, movie clips and detailed information are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Large_Herd_of_deer_in_Colts_Neck.html
http://www.shltrip.com/December_2010_in_New_Jersey.html
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) at Brigantine on New Jersey coast, a few
miles north of Atlantic City: This is a good location to see many birds in the winter season, in addition to other
seasons. Sometimes, thousands of snow geese may also show up in this NWR in winter season. Photos,
commentary, location and direction are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Forsythe_Brigantine_NWF.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Forsythe_Brigantine_Part_2.html
Great Kills Park at eastern shore of Staten Island (Many Sea Birds): located at 3270 Hylan
Blvd., Staten Island, New York. The entrance to Great Kills Park is at the junction of Hyland Blvd & Buffalo St.,
on Staten Island. The name Great Kills originates from a Dutch word meaning "many creeks." In the cold
winter season, Lower New York Bay, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay are often quite active with a huge
assortment of bird life such as Greater Scaup, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Coots, Brant, Scoters, Ruddies, and
Goldeneyes. These birds can be seen in these bays only during the winter. These seabirds thrive well in biting
winds, freezing temperatures, and lots of snow and ice. They are hardy, resilient birds. From this park, one
may see large and long floating rafts of huge number of winter seabirds. Sometimes, huge number of these
seabirds are flying in the sky over these bays. See the last three pictures at the following web page:
http://www.shltrip.com/Raritan_Bay_Waterfront.html
Keyport Water Front Park: Many winter birds also come to Keyport Harbor as shown on my web page
at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Keyport_Waterfront_Park.html
Liberty State Park is a green oasis in the middle of Metropolitan northern New Jersey. With the
Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop, Liberty State Park is a
local birding hotspot. With a mix of large open fields, marshland, a pine grove, weedy margins and mudflats
when the tide goes out, it offers up a plethora of birding habitats. It is especially good in winter. There are
lots of different types of colorful waterfowl and large number of several kinds of gulls. There is also a Snowy
Owl which turns up here almost every winter. Even on the parking lot in the winter, one can see large number
of gulls in the air and on the ground. Some people throw bread crumbs up into the air and many gulls will do
interesting and fancy flips, twists, and turns in the air to catch the falling bread crumbs. It is a good place for
bird photographers to practice their skills for taking good action photos when these birds are in fancy actions.
William Boyle, in his book entitled "Guide to Bird Finding in New Jersey", mentions red-necked grebe; great
cormorant; Eurasian wigeon; lesser golden plover; little, common black-headed, Iceland, and glaucous gulls;
all three scoters; northern harrier; short-eared owl; purple sandpiper; clapper rail; horned lark; snow bunting;
and white-crowned and Lincoln's sparrows in his description of the bird life in Liberty State Park. Particularly
good spots are the dense plantings that have been made south of the Environmental Interpretative Center; the
salt marsh; tidal mudflats south of the park that can easily be viewed from the parking area; and a small
freshwater pond north of the Environmental Interpretative Center. Some visitors go for a leisurely stroll along
the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in search of winter birds to the park. Possible species sightings may
include ruddy ducks, mergansers, grebes, buffleheads and many more.
Maps and more information on Hudson River Waterfront Walkway can be seen at the following websites:
http://www.libertygap.org/hudson-guide.html
http://www.libertystatepark.org/newportlspbike.html
Liberty State Park is located at Morris Pesin Drive & Freedom Way, Jersey City, NJ 07305, Phone:
201-915-3440
Map: Click here to see an interactive Google Map for Liberty State Park
Manasquan Reservoir in Howell, New Jersey: There is a bald eagle nest at Manasquan
Reservoir. In the winter and spring seasons, visitors can see a pair of bald eagles hatching eggs and raising
eaglets on this nest. One may also see hawks and other waterfowl at Manasquan Reservoir. Photos and
more information are on my web pages at:
http://shltrip.com/More_on_Flowers_and_Bird_Watching_in_NJ_Page_2.html
Matts Landing and Heislerville Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located at 114 Matts
Landing Road (i.e., Rt. 736), Heislerville, NJ 08324, at the Junction of Matts Landing Road and Maurice River
Road or the Junction of Matts Landing Road and Station Road. Phone: (856) 785-0455. This WMA offers
scenic views of salt water impoundments, the Maurice River, and large mudflats that provide varied habitat for
wading birds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Take a drive on the unpaved 8-mile auto-trail driving loop (with many
pot holes) around the impoundments during any season to see an abundance of wildlife. Several bird photos
from Matts Landing can be seen on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Birding-1.html
In the winter season, unless they are frozen, the impoundments in Matts Landing are one of the best places to
see a variety of waterfowl in the winter. There is usually open water near the spillways where the birds will
concentrate. Look for Red-breasted Merganser and Bufflehead, along with the showy Hooded Merganser and
Ruddy Duck. Keep an eye open for grebes as well. Thousands of Snow Geese feed in the salt marshes.
Make sure to glance over the river for diving ducks, cormorants, and loons.
Website: Click here for website of Matts Landing and Heislerville WMA
Map: Click here to see interactive Google Map for Matts Landing and Heislerville WMA
Meadowlands Richard W. Dekorte Park of Meadowlands Environmental Center located at 2
Dekorte Park Plaza, (At south-east end of Valley Brook Avenue), Lyndhurst, NJ 07071. Phone:
201-460-8300. This 110-acre park is an open wetland with several large impoundments and marsh and is a
vital migratory rest stop for thousands of ducks, geese, and shorebirds. More than 270 species of birds live in
or visit this area. There are several hiking trails ranging from 1/2 mile to 3 miles along the impoundments for
bird watching. They are quite beautiful and offer great opportunities for photographers, bird watchers, and
nature-lovers. The glass-enclosed Visitor's Center extends out into the marsh to offer a panoramic view,
perfect for viewing wildlife feeding and resting in the water below. Park and Trail Map can be seen at:
http://www.njmeadowlands.gov/doc_archive/NJMC%20Doc%20Archive/enviro_docs/2013DeKorteTrailsLR.pdf
Merrill Creek Reservoir in western New Jersey (about 50,000 Snow Geese): In early
spring, huge number of snow geese and many swans show up in Merrill Creek reservoir in Harmony in
western New Jersey for about two-week period. This period may be last week of February and the first week
of March, but this two-week period may vary from year to year depending on how long is the cold and frozen
winter.
From East Brunswick, New Jersey, it takes about one hour driving time to reach this reservoir. Photos, movie
clips and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Merrill_Creek_Reservoir.html
This reservoir area is NOT the winter ground for the snow geese. In other words, the snow geese do not stay
at this reservoir area for the entire winter season. This reservoir area is just a resting and re-fueling stop area
for the snow geese on their spring migration north. They stop at this reservoir area for about two weeks in
early spring.
The phone number of visitor center of Merrill Creek Reservoir is (908) 454-1213. It is important that you call
the visitor center to make sure that huge number of snow geese have arrived and are at this reservoir before
you start your long drive to come to this reservoir to watch the snow geese.
During the day time, many of these snow geese may leave these reservoirs and go foraging for waste grains
on some nearby farm fields. Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is
near the sunset time to see the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying
back from certain farm fields and converging into their evening roosting large reservoir or large lake. For
important safety reason, they roost at night floating in the middle of a large lake to avoid being attacked by
predators while they are sleeping.
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area (about 50,000 Snow Geese) in southeastern
Pennsylvania: In early spring, about 50,000 snow geese and many swans show up in Middle Creek Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) in Lancaster County in Amish territory in southeastern Pennsylvania for about
two-week period. This period may be last week of February and the first week of March, but this two-week
period may vary from year to year depending on how long is the cold and frozen winter. F
From mid-New Jersey, it takes about two and half hour driving time to reach this WMA. Photos, movie clips
and detailed information are on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Snow_Geese_50000_of_Them_All_Over_the_Sky.html
This WMA area is NOT the winter ground for the snow geese. In other words, the snow geese do not stay at
this WMA area for the entire winter season. This WMA area is just a resting and re-fueling stop area for the
snow geese on their spring migration north. They stop at this WMA area for only about two weeks in early
spring.
The phone number of visitor center of Middle Creek WMA is (717) 733-1512. It is important that you call the
visitor center to make sure that huge number of snow geese have arrived and are at this WMA area before
you start your long drive to come to this WMA to watch the snow geese.
During the day time, many of these snow geese may leave these reservoirs and go foraging for waste grains
on some nearby farm fields. Usually the best time of the day to see huge number of snow geese in action is
near the sunset time to see the spectacular fly-in of wave after wave of huge number of snow geese flying
back from certain farm fields and converging into their evening roosting large reservoir or large lake. For
important safety reason, they roost at night floating in the middle of a large lake to avoid being attacked by
predators while they are sleeping.
Mill Pond Park in Milltown in New Jersey: In winter, many waterfowl such as hooded mergansers,
mallards and Canada geese can be seen on the Mill Pond as shown on the web page of May Lee at:
http://mayleesart.com/120112MillPondPark.html
Mill Pond Park is located at one block east of the bridge on S. Main St. (i.e., County Rd. 606) in Milltown, New
Jersey shown as Location D on the map of Milltown at:
http://www.milltownnj.org/images/MilltownMap.gif
Mill Pond is a section of the dammed tributary, Lawrence Brook, of Raritan River, passing through Milltown in
New Jersey.
Similarly, many water fowl including swans can also be seen on the DeVoe Lake near the junction of DeVoe
Ave and Mundy Ave in Spotswood, New Jersey. DeVoe Lake is also a dammed lake on another tributary of
Raritan River.
Mt. Mitchill Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands in New Jersey with fantastic panoramic view of Sandy
Hook Bay and New York Skyline. With powerful binoculars, or telescope or super-zoom camera, Mt. Mitchill
Scenic Overlook is an excellent place to see seals sun bathing on sand bar in Sandy Hook Bay and to see
many gannets diving from mid-air down into Sandy Hook Bay to catch fish. Photos and detailed information are
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_at_Sandy_Hook.html
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy in New Jersey: Huge number of seagulls and Brandt
can be seen at Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in the winter season. Photos and detailed information are on my
web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Raritan_Bay_Waterfront.html
Sandy Hook Bay:
In winter season, many seabirds show up in Sandy Hook Bay as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Winter_at_Sandy_Hook.html
Many Diving Gannets on Sandy Hook Bay: In late March and early April, many large sea birds,
gannets, begin to migrate north along American east coast towards their summer breeding/nesting grounds in
eastern Canada. The sun in the early spring warms the water in the Sandy Hook Bay, and the sun thaws out
the mud and soil in wetlands. Additionally, spring rains discharge nutrients and food into the water in the bay.
All this activity helps to create vast populations of plankton in the water in the bay, which in turn helps to feed
many small fish, such s herring. Plankton rich food in the bay, along with warmer water temperatures, attract
large schools of fish, such as Alewife, Blueback Herring and Shad in Atlantic ocean, to enter into Sandy Hook
Bay. For the several weeks in early spring, these fish have been waiting patiently off the coast of New Jersey
for just the right conditions to enter these bays, feed, and then head upstream to freshwater portions of the
Delaware River, Raritan River, and Navesink rivers to spawn.
These large schools of fish attract many migrating gannets to enter the bay in pursuit of herring, mackerel,
menhaden, squid, and other prey.
Therefore, March and early April provide excellent opportunities for bird watchers to view many gannets in
action on Sandy Hook Bay. Photos and detailed information are available at the following websites:
http://www.shltrip.com/Gannet_Sandy_Hook.html
http://www.ahherald.com/columns-mainmenu-28/old-oak-trail/8281-gannet-a-osprey-week-in-sandy-hook-bay
Shark River Inlet. New Jersey: Many seagulls often follow the fishing party boat coming from ocean
into Shark River Inlet. In the spring season, thousands of terns, piping plovers and black skimmers are nesting
on the protected beach just south of Shark River Inlet as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lots_of_Birds_at_Shark_River_Inlet.html
Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft-Colts Neck, New Jersey: In winter season, there are
many colorful waterfowl at Swimming River Reservoir in Lincroft-Colts Neck area. I have also seen a bald
eagle flying over the Swimming River Reservoir. Photos and more information are on my web pages at:
http://www.shltrip.com/More_on_Flowers_and_Bird_Watching_in_NJ_Page_2.html
http://www.shltrip.com/Large_Herd_of_deer_in_Colts_Neck.html
The web page above describes some ways to reach the shore of Swimming River Reservoir from Dorbrook
Recreation Area in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Another way to reach the shore of Swimming River Reservoir is
from Thompson Park in Lincroft, New Jersey as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Summer_in_Thompson_Park.html
By setting up a Bird Feeder on the Back Porch, one can also see many birds on and near the bird
feeder in the backyard in winter season and other seasons as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Wildlife_Watching_In_Backyard.html
After a heavy snow storm in the winter season with heavy snow covering everything outside, if one throws
some bird seeds or bread on the snow on the back porch, many interesting and colorful birds will show up on
the back porch to eat the bird seeds or bread as shown the web page above.
Many Lakes, Ponds, Bays and Inlets along New Jersey Coast: There are many lakes,
ponds, bays and inlets along the coastal areas of New Jersey. In the winter season, there are very few
people at these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets, but many waterfowl migrated south from frozen lakes and
rivers in northern Canada and Alaska show up to enjoy the open water in these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets
in the winter season along New Jersey coast. It is interesting to drive along New Jersey coastal area in the
winter season to see and to photograph many colorful waterfowl in these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets.
Examples are Sandy Hook Bay, Shark River Inlet, etc. Some examples are shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/2013_Winter_Jersey_Shore.html
Furthermore, there is a bald eagle nest high on a tall tree on east side of Marconi Road at 2201 Marconi
Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719 near the large back bay of Shark River Inlet as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Shore_Areas_of_Belmar.html
*****************************************************************
For those who plan to take a winter vacation trip outside of New Jersey, the following birding sites in winter
and early spring may be of interest:
Arizona - According to the visiting experience of my friend, Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in
southern Arizona is the wintering ground for tens of thousands of sandhill cranes. It is located at 4423 W
Bagby Rd, Mc Neal, Arizona 85617. Phone: (520) 642-3763. More infomration at:
http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_whitewater.shtml
Canada - Goldstream Provincial Park in southern Vancouver Island in western Canada
has many spawning salmons on the crystal clear shallow gravel Goldstream in early November as shown on
my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Salmons_on_Vancouver_Island.html
California - There are many snow geese, pelicans and other winter birds in Salton Sea NWR in
southern California in winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Salton_Sea.html
The Salton Sea International Bird Festival usually takes place in the second week in February.
California - Scenic California Coastal Area has huge number of birds and other wildlife such as
sea lions, seals, otters, etc. (giant condors and whales may also show up) in the winter season as shown on
my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/California_Coast.html
California - Jenks Lake in San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California is interesting in that
many acorn woodpeckers pecked and created huge number of holes on the tree trunks to store many acorns
as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Acorn_Woodpecker.html
Florida has many interesting locations for winter birding and wildlife watching. Parts 1 to 8 of our 2014
Florida Winter Wildlife Watching Trip are at:
Part 1 on Big Swarm of Sea Birds Surrounding Fishing Boats near St. Johns River Ferry in Florida
Part 2 on Hundreds of Alligators and Many Birds in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National
Preserve in Florida
Part 3 on Beautiful Pink Roseate Spoonbills and Other Wildlife in Myakka River State Park in Florida
Part 4 on Hundreds of Manatees in Beautiful Blue Spring in Florida
Part 5 on Many Birds in Merritt Island, Viera Wetlands and Lake Okeechobee in Florida
Part 6 on Majestic Whooping Cranes and Many Birds in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Florida
Part 7 on Sand Hill Cranes and Other Wildlife in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and St. Marks NWR in
Florida
Part 8 on Blue Angels Air Show and Wildlife at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida
Our tour of southern Florida 10 years ago in February 2004 is shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Southern_Florida.html
Indiana - Many migratory sandhill cranes may show up in Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area
in Indiana in early spring as a resting and re-fueling stop over area in their spring migration north as shown
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Sand_Hill_Cranes_in_Indiana.html
New Mexico - The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in central New
Mexico is the wintering ground of 18,000 sand hill cranes. It is amazing to see so many big birds concentrated
in this NWR in the winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bosque_Del_Apache.html
Nevada - There are many colorful ducks and big fish in Lake Mead near Lake Mead Cruise
Landing at Hemenway Harbor near Hoover Dam in Nevada. There are also many wild big horn sheep
at nearby Hemenway Park in Boulder City near Hoover Dam, Nevada as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
Both Lake Mead Cruise Landing at Hemenway Harbor and Hemenway Park are about 30-minute driving
southeast from Las Vegas in Nevada.
Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has couple big heron rookeries with hundreds of
nesting great blue herons in action in early spring as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Heron_Rookery_in_Ohio.html
Texas - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and nearby areas on Texas Gulf Coast has many red crowned
white cranes (丹頂白鶴, whooping cranes) in winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Red_Crowned_White_Cranes.html
Texas - Port Aransas areas have many beautiful roseate spoonbills (玫瑰紅琵鷺) and boat tour to
see many playful dolphins and other birds as described on my we page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Many_Beautiful_Roseate_Spoonbills.html
Texas - Get on Galveston-Bolivar Ferry to watch feeding frenzy of large number of seagulls
swarming the ferry, tour Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to see tens of thousands of snow geese
plus many other kinds of birds and tour Sea Rim State Park to see many kinds of birds as described
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Huge_Number_of_Birds_on_Texas_Gulf_Coast.html
3. Search My Travelogue Website (老林遊記):
There are more than 250 web pages for more than 250 sightseeing, wildlife watching and photography
trips on my Travelogue website. The home page of my Travelogue website with an Index of the list of
titles of more than 250 trips is at:
http://www.shltrip.com/index.html
There are three methods for you to search my Travelogue website to find a particular web page of
interest to you. These three methods are described at the beginning of the home page of my
Travelogue website listed above.
feeder in the backyard in winter season and other seasons as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Wildlife_Watching_In_Backyard.html
After a heavy snow storm in the winter season with heavy snow covering everything outside, if one throws
some bird seeds or bread on the snow on the back porch, many interesting and colorful birds will show up on
the back porch to eat the bird seeds or bread as shown the web page above.
Many Lakes, Ponds, Bays and Inlets along New Jersey Coast: There are many lakes,
ponds, bays and inlets along the coastal areas of New Jersey. In the winter season, there are very few
people at these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets, but many waterfowl migrated south from frozen lakes and
rivers in northern Canada and Alaska show up to enjoy the open water in these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets
in the winter season along New Jersey coast. It is interesting to drive along New Jersey coastal area in the
winter season to see and to photograph many colorful waterfowl in these lakes, ponds, bays and inlets.
Examples are Sandy Hook Bay, Shark River Inlet, etc. Some examples are shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/2013_Winter_Jersey_Shore.html
Furthermore, there is a bald eagle nest high on a tall tree on east side of Marconi Road at 2201 Marconi
Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719 near the large back bay of Shark River Inlet as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Shore_Areas_of_Belmar.html
*****************************************************************
For those who plan to take a winter vacation trip outside of New Jersey, the following birding sites in winter
and early spring may be of interest:
Arizona - According to the visiting experience of my friend, Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in
southern Arizona is the wintering ground for tens of thousands of sandhill cranes. It is located at 4423 W
Bagby Rd, Mc Neal, Arizona 85617. Phone: (520) 642-3763. More infomration at:
http://www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_whitewater.shtml
Canada - Goldstream Provincial Park in southern Vancouver Island in western Canada
has many spawning salmons on the crystal clear shallow gravel Goldstream in early November as shown on
my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Salmons_on_Vancouver_Island.html
California - There are many snow geese, pelicans and other winter birds in Salton Sea NWR in
southern California in winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Salton_Sea.html
The Salton Sea International Bird Festival usually takes place in the second week in February.
California - Scenic California Coastal Area has huge number of birds and other wildlife such as
sea lions, seals, otters, etc. (giant condors and whales may also show up) in the winter season as shown on
my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/California_Coast.html
California - Jenks Lake in San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California is interesting in that
many acorn woodpeckers pecked and created huge number of holes on the tree trunks to store many acorns
as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Acorn_Woodpecker.html
Florida has many interesting locations for winter birding and wildlife watching. Parts 1 to 8 of our 2014
Florida Winter Wildlife Watching Trip are at:
Part 1 on Big Swarm of Sea Birds Surrounding Fishing Boats near St. Johns River Ferry in Florida
Part 2 on Hundreds of Alligators and Many Birds in Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National
Preserve in Florida
Part 3 on Beautiful Pink Roseate Spoonbills and Other Wildlife in Myakka River State Park in Florida
Part 4 on Hundreds of Manatees in Beautiful Blue Spring in Florida
Part 5 on Many Birds in Merritt Island, Viera Wetlands and Lake Okeechobee in Florida
Part 6 on Majestic Whooping Cranes and Many Birds in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Florida
Part 7 on Sand Hill Cranes and Other Wildlife in Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and St. Marks NWR in
Florida
Part 8 on Blue Angels Air Show and Wildlife at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida
Our tour of southern Florida 10 years ago in February 2004 is shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Southern_Florida.html
Indiana - Many migratory sandhill cranes may show up in Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area
in Indiana in early spring as a resting and re-fueling stop over area in their spring migration north as shown
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Sand_Hill_Cranes_in_Indiana.html
New Mexico - The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in central New
Mexico is the wintering ground of 18,000 sand hill cranes. It is amazing to see so many big birds concentrated
in this NWR in the winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Bosque_Del_Apache.html
Nevada - There are many colorful ducks and big fish in Lake Mead near Lake Mead Cruise
Landing at Hemenway Harbor near Hoover Dam in Nevada. There are also many wild big horn sheep
at nearby Hemenway Park in Boulder City near Hoover Dam, Nevada as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Lake_Mead.html
Both Lake Mead Cruise Landing at Hemenway Harbor and Hemenway Park are about 30-minute driving
southeast from Las Vegas in Nevada.
Ohio - Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio has couple big heron rookeries with hundreds of
nesting great blue herons in action in early spring as shown on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Heron_Rookery_in_Ohio.html
Texas - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and nearby areas on Texas Gulf Coast has many red crowned
white cranes (丹頂白鶴, whooping cranes) in winter season as described on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Red_Crowned_White_Cranes.html
Texas - Port Aransas areas have many beautiful roseate spoonbills (玫瑰紅琵鷺) and boat tour to
see many playful dolphins and other birds as described on my we page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Many_Beautiful_Roseate_Spoonbills.html
Texas - Get on Galveston-Bolivar Ferry to watch feeding frenzy of large number of seagulls
swarming the ferry, tour Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to see tens of thousands of snow geese
plus many other kinds of birds and tour Sea Rim State Park to see many kinds of birds as described
on my web page at:
http://www.shltrip.com/Huge_Number_of_Birds_on_Texas_Gulf_Coast.html
3. Search My Travelogue Website (老林遊記):
There are more than 250 web pages for more than 250 sightseeing, wildlife watching and photography
trips on my Travelogue website. The home page of my Travelogue website with an Index of the list of
titles of more than 250 trips is at:
http://www.shltrip.com/index.html
There are three methods for you to search my Travelogue website to find a particular web page of
interest to you. These three methods are described at the beginning of the home page of my
Travelogue website listed above.
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