Birdwatching at Sandy Hook
Few people associate the New York metropolitan area with wildlife or birdwatching, but in actuality, New Yorkers are only a 30-minute boat ride away from urban ornithological nirvana. Sandy Hook is an excellent year-round birding location. In fact, in summer approximately 70 species breed on Sandy Hook, including federally endangered Piping Plover and Least Tern, a fact that has put Sandy Hook on the state’s list of Important Bird and Birding Areas as well as on the National Audubon Society’s list of globally significant Important Birding Areas.
But don’t take our word for it! Check out these great links about birding at Sandy Hook:
http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionCenters/SectionAllThingsBirds/SandyHook.aspx
http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionBirdingSites/SandyHookinSpring.aspx
http://www.njaudubon.org/SectionCenters/SectionSHBO/SandyHookRarities.aspx
http://birding.typepad.com/youngbirders/2011/12/birding-sandy-hook.html
Seastreak provides service from East 35th St. and Pier 11/Wall St. seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day and beyond, weather permitting. Upon arrival at Sandy Hook, Seastreak provides shuttle bus service to take you to various beaches along the park. You can also bring your bikes to have a little more freedom to roam the fantastic paved bikeway.
Here is a link to a great map of Sandy Hook: http://sandyhookfoundationnj.org/pdf/SandyHookMap.pdf
So, for a fantastic escape from the city, take a day trip to Sandy Hook with Seastreak and experience this unparalleled urban birding oasis!
Have you been birding at Sandy Hook before? Have any great stories to share about additions to your life list from a trip to Sandy Hook? Let us know in the comment section below (or click on the title to this article), on Facebook, or tweet it to us @SeastreakFerry!
Sea you soon,
The Seastreak Family
Filed Under: Destination Guides, Visiting New Jersey