It was a new experience for the ML Birders to visit the inlet at Barnegat Light on a mild, sunny and windless day in winter. At first the calm waters looked “birdless” but a little scanning and scoping revealed several species of sea ducks as well as Buffleheads, Common Loons, Red-breasted Mergansers, Brant geese and two shorebird species feeding on the rocks (Purple Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones). Not a great day for song birds but we did see several Boat-tailed Grackles sitting on overhead electric wires as we enjoyed lunch at Kubel’s. We totaled 36 species.

Participants: Marie Gleason, Robert Koch, Carol Neal, Miriam Swartz. Guest: Mike Zickler.

Photos by Robert Koch