I spent the better portion of my final full day down here in NJ (for now anyway) birding Jersey’s North Shore with my good friend Bruce. The North Shore (Manasquan Inlet and Point Pleasant north to Sandy Hook) is a waterfowl-watcher’s treat, as numerous species overwinter on fresh water ponds, sheltered coves, and off ocean beaches. In fact, it is not uncommon to record 25 species of waterfowl in a day in this area, and 30 species is even possible if you extend your effort beyond the North Shore - or get very lucky.

Yesterday was pleasant, with light winds and temperatures in the mid-40’s. Very little ice was present, and duck numbers have certainly thinned out. However, Bruce and I were able to tally an impressive 27 species of waterfowl!

We began by scanning the ocean from the jetty at Manasquan Inlet. A few small flocks of Black and Surf Scoters were moving north, Brant fed around the rocks, and Long-tailed Ducks were displaying offshore. Mallards, American Black Ducks, and Canada Geese foraged on vegetation farther up the river. Boat-tailed Grackles called with their inorganic, synthesizer-like buzzes and whistles. Red-breasted Mergansers dove for fish in the inlet. Some “chumming” for gulls (stale bread to be exact) failed to attract many rarities, but produced some great photo opportunities as we fed birds from the hand.

Nearby Little Silver Lake produced American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, the ubiquitous Mute Swans (Pond Pigs), Ruddy Ducks, a few Canvasback, and a drake Eurasian Wigeon that has been spending the winter there. Nearby Old Sam’s Pond produced our first Hooded Mergansers of the day, as well as some recently-arriving Killdeer along the shore.

As we worked north from Point Pleasant, we birded all of the ponds, enjoying conversation and close-up looks at almost 2 dozen species of ducks. We added Bufflehead to the tally at Stockton Lake, Gadwall and Northern Shovelers at Wreck Pond, two female Redheads, along with American Coots at Spring Lakes, and a single female Common Merganser was added to the day-list at Lake Como.

Shark River was unexpectedly quiet – save for a hundred plus Mute Swans – and other common duck species; we guessed the large Scaup flock had moved on. Ring-necked Ducks and Green-winged Teal, along with 3 more Redheads and some breeding-plumaged male Ruddy Ducks highlighted Lake Takanassee, as well as an encounter with a rather aggressive male Mute Swan that took a run at us.

Unable to locate Scaup in the Navesink River area, we decided to head to Sandy Hook. With 22 species of waterfowl on the list, it seemed to be the quickest way to reach our goal as time was running short for our outing. A quick visit with Scott, Pete, and Linda at the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory was followed by another hour of birding. Scott escorted us to a couple of top viewing sites (he knows the Hook better than just about anyone) and in succession we added Common Goldeneye, the overwintering female Barrow’s Goldeneye (a very good bird this far south – we get spoiled in Maine!), and species number 25: Greater Scaup in Spermacetti Cove. Then, since we were missing White-winged Scoter for the day, we scanned the ocean, not only picking up the scoters, but a rather out-of-place-on-salt-water Wood Duck, waterfowl species number 27 on the day! And, to top things off, a Peregrine Falcon passed overhead!

So, in about 7 hours, we tallied 27 species. If we began earlier, we would of added Common Eider and Harlequin Duck by starting at Barnegat Light. Also, if we both didn’t have appointments to get to, we could of raced west to Merrill Creek Reservoir, with the potential of adding Snow Goose (sure thing), Cackling Goose (decent chance), Greater White-fronted Goose (maybe), and if we were really lucky – a Ross’s Goose. If we hit all of those, we could have had a day list of 33 species of waterfowl!!! My record, by the way for this winter waterfowl Big Day in NJ is 29 – I have not hit the 30-species milestone. Not too shabby for the most densely populated state in the country!