Birds

Harlequin Ducks at Point Lookout

February 27, 2011 by Corey 4 Comments

Winter at Point Lookout, the easternmost point of land on the south shore of Long Island, New York, before one reaches Jones Inlet, can provide wildlife watchers with a plethora of pleasing options.  One of my favorites species to see at Point Lookout since the first time I saw them there has been the gaudy and well-named Harlequin Ducks, and I try whenever I can to share them with others (though sometimes the ducks don’t want to be found).  When Harlequin Ducks do come into my field of view it somehow always seems to me that each individual Histrionicus histrionicus is aware of the attention it is getting so it treats the entire world like a stage, constantly putting on a show for the groundlings holding high-powered optics.

Point Lookout is easily the best place in New York to see Harlequin Ducks, though if you are from New Jersey you will likely choose Barnegat Lighthouse and if you are a Bay Stater you will go to Granite Pier.  Wherever you seek your Harlequin Ducks make sure you leave plenty of time to watch them and if they disappear for a bit be sure to call for an encore!

All of these shots were digiscoped yesterday at Point Lookout.  I kept my distance both because I didn’t want to disturb the eight ducks, which is the most I have ever seen in New York at one time, and because slippery breakwaters are dangerous.  Enjoy!


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Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.