This morning I began the day with a seawatch at Manasquan Inlet. The numbers of birds was not great but there was some good diversity. One of my first target birds was the Purple Sandpiper and these were easily seen on the concrete breakers which form the jetty. One slight surprise was a Red-Necked Grebe, because this mild winter has not resulted in the Great Lakes freezing, so many of this species have remained outside of the Tri-State area. A pleasant surprise was a Razorbill feeding within the inlet and affording very close views, although they were brief as this bird was actively feeding so it spent much of the time underwater.
I was able to see all 3 species of Scoter, Long-Tailed Ducks, Red-Breasted Mergansers, both Loons etc. I then stopped at the various lakes & oceanfront viewing areas as I made my way northward. Of note on Wreck Pond was the expected Lesser Black-Backed Gull, and I saw yet another on Sylvan Lake.
The final stop today was at Monmouth Beach's Cultural Center for a distant view of the Western Grebe. This bird has appeared here for several winters now.
sharing with you what my eyes see