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Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 21:23:00 -0400
From: Laurie Larson
Subject: slightly extralimital Great White Heron
NJBIRDS,
This is very close to New Jersey, in Staten Island. I thought it might be of interest to New Jersey birders.
There have been two Great White Herons in NJ in the past year; one in August 2000 at Nummy Island, and another bird, unpublicized at the time, in Somerset County in June 2001. One individual? or several?
Laurie
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 20:57:35 -0400
To: Laurie Larson
From: Paul Buckley
Subject: Re: Great White Heron
Hi Laurie:
The GWH was first found at WOLFE'S POND PARK, off Hylan Blvd., near Princess Bay, Staten Island. It was seen along the pond mostly roosting in trees, or feeding along the immediately adjacent Lower NY Bay shoreline (between CORNELIA and SEGUINE ROADS) especially at lower tides. It was still right there this afternoon.
The main road with signs into the park is CORNELIA along the pond's N/NE side, but visibility is far better from the south end of HORTEN, the very next street south after CORNELIA along HYLAN BLVD. Here one has better light and can see more of the pond frfom its S/SW side.
The heron does move about, and has also been seen when the tide is high along LEMON CREEK, which crosses HYLAN not far S of HORTEN (next comes SEGUINE and then the LEMON CREEK BRIDGE). It was seen to the left (E/SE) of HYLAN, but could just as easily be on the other side of Lemon Creek, i.e. W/NW of HYLAN.
Finally, it has also been frequenting a Phragmites-rimmed salt pond perhaps a mile further S/SW. Take HYLAN to the 2nd traffic light after SEGUINE (where there is also a light) to SHARROTTS AVENUE. Turn left and go perhaps 100 yards to its end at the water, and a paved parking lot on the left. Immediately in front is a new fishing pier (also visible from the beach at SEGUINE). Walk out on the pier and look SW towards the small pond with logs in it. The GWH has been roosting on these logs, but so have Great and Snowy Egrets.
Anyone coming from NJ over the Outerbridge Crossing can get quickly onto Hylan Blvd by also getting off at Huguenot (as above), but those coming from further N should AVOID THE GOETHALS BRIDGE AND THE WEST SHORE EXPRESSWAY (440) AT ALL COSTS. They both have restricted traffic with lanes reserved for vehicles bringing material from the World Trade Center to Fresh Kills landfill. Instead, take the NJ Tpke extension to exit 14A, follow signs for 440 south to the Bayonne Bridge, and then take Richmond Avenue/Korean War Vets Parkway south to Huguenot Rd., and then Huguenot Road east to Hylan Blvd, Hylan SW to HORTEN.
Good luck to everyone, and we are now all waiting for the first 'Patagonia Picnic Table' bird to turn up at this site.
P A Buckley