Exploring the Arverne East Nature Preserve on Labor Day Weekend

It was a direct ride from Manhattan on the A train, and a lovely day for exploring. We often go to other sections of Rockaway Beach, and have seen the protected areas for Piping Plovers near Riis Park and Fort Tilden, but not this bird conservation area by Arverne.  

I thought the beach might be closed off entirely, but I also knew the Piping Plover nesting period was over. The beach part turned out to be open but not for swimming or surfing, and there was no going up in the dunes. 

There was hardly anyone along this part of the beach, and we started walking towards a bunch of gulls loafing around down the way.  

But first we ran into some Royal Terns. During breeding season they have sleek black caps that extend over the backs of their heads. By now they were done, though, and their hairlines had receded.  

Royal Terns

Then it turned out that the terns weren't entirely done with parenting. 

A young one showed up and was pestering the adults for food. 

The adults were not cooperative, and flew away.    

There was also a juvenile Laughing Gull standing next to an adult. Maybe also hoping for a handout. 

Juvenile Laughing Gull

Laughing Gull with post-breeding head feathers

The juveniles are brown, while the adults have gray backs and white bellies - and solid black heads when they are breeding. Like the terns, the Laughing Gulls lose their dark head feathers after breeding.

Laughing Gull with black head during breeding season

The large Black-backed Gulls dominated the waterfront further out along the beach.  

Black-backed Gull

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Along with a few slightly smaller Herring Gulls. 

Herring Gull

The Ring-billed Gulls are even smaller, but also feisty.

Ring-billed Gull

Overhead, several Ospreys were scanning the water and dropping down to snatch up unsuspecting fish.

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I was surprised to find a number of Double-crested Cormorants on the beach. I have mostly seen them nesting on off-shore islands around the city, or standing on piers, rather than wading in the surf.  

A flock of small Sanderlings swung by and then quickly moved back towards the east. They are often running in groups along the shoreline, collecting small snacks as the water recedes, then retreating as the next wave comes in.  

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Sanderling

I sometimes get confused between Sanderlings and Semipalmated Sandpipers, which both congregate on beaches and are around the same size. However, the Semipalmated Sandpipers don't have the same behavior of chasing the waves. 

Semipalmated Sandpiper

There was also a Ruddy Turnstone, a larger type of sandpiper that has much more dramatic coloring.

My favorites, though, are the big Oystercatchers, with their bright carrot-like bills, and high-pitched voices. 

It was a sweet end-of-summer day at the beach, and just a subway ride away.