By Steffen Klenk
There is so much nature all around us. Here in South Jersey, we are fortunate to have several spots where nature enthusiasts and bird watchers from far and wide can enjoy the diverse landscape and beauty that South Jersey has to offer. With eyes closely peeled, photographers can find the rarest of feathered friends.
On a bright, sunny spring day, dozens of native and migratory birds settle along our stretch of coastline, with many of them landing at one very particular destination. At the Ocean City Welcome Center, right off the Route 52 Causeway, lies the Rookery, a lush plot of greenery that has grown in popularity with nature lovers.
Within the last week, dozens of nesting birds have flocked to this location. One of the birds making its grand return is the Great Egret. During breeding season, you may notice their long feathery white plumes that grow from its back. At 3 feet tall, their long S-curved neck, black legs, and large yellow bill make them hard to miss. Watching them take off in flight is a true spectacle to witness up-close. Our cameras have spotted multiple egrets building nests along the rookery.
Even the Snow Egret is finding its way back to our coastal wetlands. These birds are smaller than the Great Egret, at only 2 feet tall. They are particularly distinguished by their black legs and yellow feet, with a patch of yellow skin at the base of a narrow black bill.
The White Ibis has been spotted multiple times at the rookery. You will find these birds commonly nesting along shallow wetlands. They are almost entirely white, with black wing tips and long red legs and a red face and beak.
You may also find the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron nesting here. These birds are much smaller in size but relatively easy to spot, with their thin necks and blocky heads. You may notice a patch of white along their cheeks and bright orange-yellow legs. These herons perch quietly along tree branches and stumps. Their diet consists of crayfish, crabs, and other crustaceans.
Another abundant resident at the rookery is the Red-winged Blackbird. From salt marshes to wet roadsides, the male creatures have red and yellow along their shoulder stripes. You will often find them singing from high perches. Female Red-winged Blackbirds appear inconspicuously brown and sitting along low vegetation.
It is hard to bring up nature in South Jersey without mentioning the laughing gull. While they may, or may not, be cracking a joke about you, these popular summertime residents can be found along shorelines and open fields. These medium-size gulls are hard to miss thanks to their distinctive sound. They are grey above and white below with a dark black hood and red beak. The common laughing gull diet consists mainly of fish, insects, and mollusk.
These are just a few of the many birds you will find along our coastline this season. Wherever you are throughout South Jersey, you are bound to find many unique birds flocking into our region. Charge up your camera, grab your favorite pair of shoes, and explore the wonderous nature of our region.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
