August 2008

I had visited Jamaica Bay at the back of John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York before, but only in the winter months. August is the prime time and I am told the last two weeks of the month the absolute peek. 

It is all part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and is a nature reserve complete with a visitors centre located on the Cross Bay Blvd. To reach it from the airport take the Belt Parkway heading west towards Verrazano Bridge. At junction 17S take the slip road and head south down Cross Bay Blvd. It is a 3 lane dual carriageway that goes through a shopping area initially. As the shops come to an end you start to cross a large bridge and on the left hand side of the road is the Surfside Motel.

Semipalmated sandpiper 

Just across the bridge take note of the car parks on both sides of the road, but carry on south until you see a sign for the visitors centre on the right hand sign. It is by some traffic lights and before the next bridge, which is a toll crossing.

Semipalmated sandpiper

Call in at the visitors centre for information and free maps. From here you can walk to the West Pond, but I have covered this loop 4 times and never taken a picture. Good birdwatching, hopeless photography.

Semipalmated plover

Still on foot from the visitor centre go back to the Cross Bay Blvd and cross to the other side of the dual carriageway at the traffic lights. Turn south and walk for about 200 metres. There is an obvious, but small track into the bushes. Follow this for a short distance and you come to the East Pond. In 2008 the water levels were very high so not  much land was visible between the reeds and water. However, what was left was full of waders and the colours in the water wonderful. If there is no wind blowing the water surface is mirror like and great for reflections.

Semipalmated plover 

In normal years it is possible to walk all around the pond, but in 2008 that was difficult because of the mud. Sitting down on a stool or better still lying on the mud is probably the best approach, but generally the birds are very tame.

Stilt sandpiper 

This is the south end and I usually worked here in the mornings. Sunrise was about 0610 hours, but shadows lingered across the water until 0630 hours.

Short-billed dowitcher 

In the afternoons I parked at one of the car parks back by the bridge and again walked south down Cross Bay Blvd on the left hand side. It is a longer walk, but eventually a gravel track appears that is wide enough for cars. Walk along this for about 150 metres and take the 2^nd right turn. This is a much smaller path and very quickly you reach East Pond, but at the northern end where access was best on the west edge. It was possible to get a long way down this side, but again very muddy.

Canada goose

Birds you are likely to photograph are least, semipalmated, pectoral, stilt, western, and white-rumped sandpipers, semipalmated and grey plovers, wilson’s and red-necked phalaropes, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, terns, ducks, skimmers, dowitchers, yellowlegs and gulls.

Canada goose

The settings are perfect for photography with the shallow water offering great colours and reflections. The birds are mainly approachable and access unrestricted. Sometimes there are birdwatchers and photographers around, but I was surprised how often I was by myself.

 Least sandpiper

I stayed at the Surfside Motel by the bridge. I can’t say I recommend it, but it is handy with lots of places to eat nearby. I was paying $139 a night for a less than perfect room in a noisy motel. There are many other hotels in the area, but being so close to the airport they are not cheap.

 Least sandpiper 

The Empire Buffet, eat as much as you want for $8 was my favourite dinner. I was on a diet and tried negotiating for eat half as much as I wanted for $4, but that was a no go.

Lesser yellowlegs

I found little else in the area that offered photography. It is worth trying Nickerson Beach for piping plovers, sanderling, oystercatchers, skimmers, terns, willets and knot. You need to follow the Southern State Parkway east from the airport to junction 22 and turn south down Meadowbrook State Parkway. Cross the bridges going to Jones Beach, but just before the pay booths take the right hand slip road to Point Lookout. Carry on until you come to a T-junction at a set of light. Turn right and Nickerson Beach is signposted to the left hand side in about ½ mile.

 Lesser yellowlegs

If you arrive after 1600 hours mid week there is no charge for the car park. Follow the loop road around past the caravan site and pay booths. The car park if about 150 metres after the booths on the left. Park in the far right hand corner and walk to the beach. The skimmers are on the right.

Piping plover 

Apart from the lack of decent budget hotels and the appalling driving standards on Long Island it was one of my better trips. American Photographers have it so easy. Great weather, tame birds and the freedom to roam in a area that would be cordoned off in the U.K.

The mud and water mean getting a bit wet and muddy. I bought chest waders from a shop opposite my motel for $65 and a Walmarts frying pan to rest my beanbag in to keep it dry.