Breezy Point

Late this afternoon Shane and I drove out to Breezy Point hoping to get a glimpse of the reported Thick-billed Murre. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful.

-Click here for info about Thick-billed Murres-

The ocean has changed considerably since earlier in the week. It was churning like an angry noreaster was blowing through the area. The huge swells and whitecaps made spotting a small alcid all but impossible. The numerous ducks and loons in the area seemed to be enjoying the turbulence and bobbed on the swells or dove beneath the crashing waves.

Rough surf at Breezy Point

(Photo credit - Rob J)

One positive sighting was of a Lesser Black-backed Gull. It was standing at the edge of the shore on the bay side of the point among the three common gull species. A Herring Gull was next to him and the size difference was what first drew our attention to him.

-Click here for info about Lesser Black-backed Gulls-

If you plan on taking a trip to Breezy Point please note that there is still quite a bit of snow on the Fisherman's Road. It's not too bad, just slow.

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Breezy Point, 2/3/2005
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Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Northern Gannet (1 adult seen near Silver Gull Beach Club.)
Great Cormorant
Great Blue Heron (Flying over dunes near end of Fisherman's Rd.)
Brant
American Wigeon (3, bay side of point.)
Mallard
Surf Scoter (Several.)
White-winged Scoter (1 male near Silver Gull Beach Club.)
Long-tailed Duck (Abundant.)
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Sanderling
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull (On bay side beach within a mixed gull flock.)
Great Black-backed Gull
Mourning Dove
American Crow
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Northern Cardinal
American Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Snow Bunting (Approx. 100 between Fisherman's Rd. and jetty.)
American Goldfinch