[datnoyd]

A report posted on my journal elsewhere in the internet:

Oh YESH, the ultimate $26 getaway! From 38th Street in Manhattan to a world of sand, ruined military installations, and colourful scrub bush. And birds. No wonder this place frequently figures in my dreams. I don't have a car, so I am dependent on catch-as-catch-can modes of transportation. The NY Waterways vessel takes you there in a little over an hour. It's fun watching small boats play chicken with more powerful vessels in the shipping lanes. That's when you remember that some captains are drunks without licenses to pilot watercraft (hint: you don't need one, unless people are paying you to do it).

Most people on this trip are yuppies looking for a tan, and a gawk at famous Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook's nudie area. I was into the birdlife. I had visited several time before in 1998, as a budding birder. Summer is actually the worst time to go there, but public transportation access in the hot (bird wise) spring and fall is generally poor to lacking. The ship only runs in the summer months. But the ride in the open air sure is refreshing.

Upon arrival I made for the unpopulated interior, where I was rewarded by a sight of an American Goldfinch performing a songflight (tweet tweet/dip, tweet tweet/dip). The "dip" describes a movement in flight. His buttercup-yellow body was a beautiful sight against the pellucid blue sky. The source of a house wren's bubbling liquid song proved harder to locate. Cardinals and mockingbirds were also in the area.

So, to the beach. A nude body reclining on a towel with buttocks in the breeze made me hurry along faster (AWAY from the provoking sight). They aren't supposed to do that on North Beach, only Gunnison Beach. Garbage eating redwinged blackbirds swooped close in to the picnicing bathers. I found the reserved area for the breeding shore birds. I found my beloved Least Terns here, sweet delicate little birds with tiny feet. I saw one with a silvery fish dangling from its mouth, trying to feed a youngster or impress a mate (probably the first). I didn't see any fluffy spotty nestlings though, like in 1998, when I saw many of them around the same time of year. You can't go into the marked off area but with good bins you can get excellent looks at the inmates.

There were plenty of Least Terns at least (sorry!) Along with the Common Terns they were fishing with fair success in the surf, dive bombing into the water like kamikazes. I sat down and watched them for quite a while. An osprey flew overhead. A Piper Arrow airplane flew rather low over the beach, giving me a thrill (I do flight sim on my off hours). I hiked over to Gunnison Beach, which was strenuous walking 3/4 mile on sand. After having a bit of lunch I returned to North Beach on the road. Common yellowthroat warblers were everywhere. No yellow warblers though. At North Beach, I made the "kissing" sound on the back of my hand and a mocker rushed over, flashing wing patches, rattling in full tilt attack mode. The Red Winged Blackbird landed close to me and sang. There were also a few Grackles about.

I saw one of the numerous Barn Swallows swoop through the Ladies Room door, which I quickly followed up and discovered a nest up on the rafters with two adorable babies. Here I enjoyed the rather unusual sport of birding while sitting on the johns. Mama bird was feeding her babies....Let's hope they built a nest in the men's room too. Don't want the guys to miss out!

While waiting for the boats to let us back aboard for the trip home, I saw a little Song Sparrow youth trying out his new song. He was really going at it too, sounding kind of pleasingly strange in parts, sort of like my young pet Zebra Finches when they were growing up. The Song Sparrow had just little tufts of feathers growing in on his head, he was probably growing into full adult plumage, and when he flew off I noticed he had no tail. Another tailless bird (like the RW blackbird female I mentioned in another thread in the birds & birding forum). But young birds have an excuse!

I left my birding hat on the gods rotted boat, being sleepy and all, but the pack with my precious bins in it made it home safe thank you very much!

[KCFoggin]

Hello Kim. I have had a pretty crazy week so I have not had a chance to welcome you to the Bird Forum. So--- Welcome!

I must admit you've stirred up some memories from time spent on the Sandy Hook's Gunnison Beach. Yup, I was one of those yuppies. Only it was about 25 years ago. :) We weren't called yuppies then I don't think. At that time, the beaches on Sandy Hook were connected to the Gateway beaches on S.I. Don't know if they are still considered part of one and the same recreational area.

I would imagine it was a wonderful escape out of the city nonetheless. I wouldn't have minded the chance to watch momma barn swallow feed her young while sitting on the john either. :)
Sounds like you had a good day all in all.

[Beverlybaynes]

What a delightful way to brighten up a trip to the necessary room!

Your trip sounds lovely -- and a day on the beach (complete with Osprey!!) sounds delicious. Wish there were some 'real' beaches near here.