Field Trip: Huguenot Memorial Park ($5 entrance fee per vehicle)

Huguenot Park is one of the best places to see shorebirds, and we hope to see a lot of them. This oceanfront city park is visited most often by beachgoers, but is an incredibly attractive birding spot in its own right. Part of the park has been long designated as a critical wildlife area for nesting terns and shorebirds, and is roped off to protect these nesters in season. The beach is an important loafing site for terns, gulls, and skimmers by the hundreds, and a variety of shorebirds feed on exposed mudflats at low tide. In October, Huguenot Memorial Park is a good spot to find Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and Long-billed Curlews may be found in winter. Gannets, loons, and sea ducks can be seen in the distance from late fall through early spring. This site is known for rare bird sightings such as Snowy Owl, Greater Sand-Plover (2nd North American record), Bar-tailed Godwit, Snow Bunting, Lark Sparrow, Bridled Tern, Short-eared Owl and Lapland Longspur. Search the sheltered shallows on the north side of the peninsula for waders, shorebirds and ducks.

We will meet in the parking lot before the pay station at 8:00 am. Drive straight in instead of turning right into the pay lane. We will spend a few minutes there to fill out the sign in sheets, check the marsh for Northern Harrier and then go into the park. Cost is $5 per vehicle.

Bring binoculars, drinks, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy walking shoes, and a hat if desired.

Questions? Email duvalaudubon@gmail.com.