Just wondering when is the best time to come for barneget bay to see harlequin ducks? I am with family in SLC but would love get to see and photograph the ducks.
As I replied in PM you are good for awhile now, through the winter. I've never been there in the period of now roughly through March without seeing at least a few.
It's been 15+ years since my last trip to Barnegat but I frequented there when I lived in NJ.
Winter is a good time for harlequins (December-February at least). You can easily get full frame shots with a 500mm equivalent, and use shorter lenses for more environmental compositions. If you don't have a ton of experience shooting birds on the ocean, keep in mind the movement of the water requires faster shutter speeds and some compositional practice for sharp, well composed shots.
The jetty can be slippery, so wear good footwear and move slowly and carefully. Avoid it completely if there has been a recent ice storm or rain/freeze event.
I'm a bit late here (posting May 2026), but make sure you go either before the hunting season starts (so December until about mid January is good), or 2-3 weeks after the hunting season ends (like about 20-25 Feb through mid to late March). Otherwise the waterfowl are really skittish...Harlequin ducks are very (very) responsive to their calls...and besides them are the Ruddy Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers along the very long rock jetty. Afternoon light is better (you are facing NE to East on the rock jetty)...and overcast days are the best best! The rock jetty can be slippery especially in windy days (spray from ocean)...but otherwise safe (I am mid 60s). Days with mild weather can bring lots of people in March particularly in the afternoon. Overall you won't find a better spot to photograph Harlequin Ducks (perhaps Iceland?)...and the other ducks (Long-tailed; scoters - three species but shyer), and Loons (two species) + Gannets (March) and Great Cormorants...a wonderful place for bird photography.
