During construction this summer, the Park Service personnel responsible for the project visited one of the Sandy Hook Partners, the Sandy Hook Bird Observatory of the New Jersey Audubon Society, for input regarding placement of the viewing ports.  After visiting the finished blind, Scott Barnes, Senior Naturalist, said "it looks great, has nice viewing ports, and doesn't have a roof so you won't miss birds flying overhead.  I think this will stop folks from accidentally flushing birds from the pond, keep your feet dry, and should revive interest in birding this part of the Hook.  In general, the blind will reduce disturbance to resting and feeding birds while providing an opportunity for people to enjoy them."

Mr. Barnes also described some birds one might encounter this fall at Nike Pond, including the state threatened Black-crowned Night Heron, which are suspected of breeding nearby and are present from April through October.  "Reducing disturbance to the Night Heron was one of the reasons the NJ Audubon Society originally approached the NPS about constructing an observation blind there."  Additionally, "Pied-billed Grebe, a variety of waterfowl such as Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Black Duck, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, and Ring-necked Duck utilize the pond during migration.  The phragmites reeds around the pond attract Common Yellowthroats, Marsh Wrens, Swamp Sparrows, and Red-winged blackbirds.  Large flocks of swallows, mostly Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows, feed over the pond during the warmer months.  By late fall, only the ducks and Pied-billed Grieb remain, but it's not long before they return during spring migration," said Barnes.

Bruce Lane, Supervising Park Ranger for National Resources at Sandy Hook, provided additional information for those visiting the blind.  "If you approach quietly, you may see some painted turtles sunning themselves on the floating logs.  Also, hognose snakes have been seen in the area recently, feeding on fowler toads.  Some of the plants you can expect to see along the boardwalk include marsh mallow, marsh elder, poison ivy, beach plum, and highbush blueberry," said Lane.

To get to the bird blind:  Park in the north west corner of Beach E parking lot and walk north on the Multi-Use Path (the concrete biking and walking path adjacent to the parking lot).  Head north and just past the beach center find the trail marker for the Old Dune Trail.  Follow that trail north for about ¼ mile until you come to the raised wooden platform.  The blind is down in front by the pond.  There is also a wide dirt path that runs from the Ranger Station to the ocean beach.  Halfway down the trail there is an interpretive sign.  Turn left (north) and the blind is a few hundred yards ahead.

For more information about the programs and projects of The Sandy Hook Foundation, please call the office at 732-291-7733 or visit www.sandyhookfoundationnj.org .  To learn more about The Sandy Hook Bird Observatory, a nature center of the New Jersey Audubon Society, please call 732-872-2577 or visit www.njaudubon.org.