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	© Dennis Naggy, Field Contributor

Everyday I imagine visiting some of the world’s great birding locations: Costa Rica, Belize, Sanibel Island and Brigantine. Yes, you’ve read it right: Brigantine. The official designation is the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, named in honor of the late Congressman and avid conservationist from New Jersey. This wonderful birding site is located within one of the Atlantic Flyways most active paths—the coast of New Jersey and directly across the bay from the gambling resort Atlantic City. The refuge is comprised of 43,000 acres of mainly tidal salt meadow and marsh that spans along approximately 25 miles of inland waterway from its northern division at Barnegat to its southern division and headquarters at Oceanville. I will concentrate on the Brigantine Division of the refuge, the area I believe is the most productive for wildlife photography and surely the most physically accessible.

I love photographing birds and my wife, Diana, loves watching them. We both would enjoy traveling the world in search of rare bird species and experiencing their exotic habitats, but for reasons common to most of us, time and money, we can’t. Let’s face it; if you treasure nature as much as I do, waiting all year for vacation trips to special wildlife locations just won’t suffice. Our special place is Brigantine where we don’t have to gamble my time or money to see abundant species of shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds, raptors or wading birds in a superb wetland landscape. A free brochure from the welcome center indicates that 293 species of birds have been observed at the refuge. The free birding check off list indicates a season avian count greater than 100,000.

Brigantine is approximately an hour drive from our home; making it convenient to visit anytime I get the itch to be with nature. This outstanding site is an easy day–trip for many photographers living in the Northeast, including New York 75 miles north and Philadelphia 40 miles west of the refuge. Since my itch comes on frequently, you can find me at the refuge several times each month, year round. And, each month I am amazed at the changes in habitat and diversity in wildlife at this refuge.

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© Dennis Naggy, Field Contributor

Brigantine is an excellent spot for nature photography. Since bird photography requires heavy equipment, it’s a pleasure to drive through the refuge with 40 to 50 pounds of cameras equipment within easy reach for almost every conceivable type photo opportunity. The pools, tidal channels and saltwater coves can all be viewed unobstructed from the loop road. The unpaved, but well maintained, nature drive is wide enough to stop anywhere along the route without impeding traffic. The refuge is open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic; however, my observations of these types of travel have appeared to be counter productive to bird photography and risky to your well being during the height of the fly season or on one of the common gale force wind days. My experience has confirmed that your vehicle is an excellent moving blind that provides shelter when needed and appears to be highly tolerated by wildlife.

There are two observation platforms that tower 20 feet or more above the roadway: one at Gull Pond and one adjacent to both the West and East Pools. I have used these observation towers during the spring, early summer and fall months and have made some fantastic observations of flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds flying by at eye level. Ibis, egrets and herons float past at times, totally unaware of your presence on these steel structures. Both tower sites can place the patient photographer in an excellent position to make some great shots.

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	© Dennis Naggy, Field Contributor

Raptors frequent the refuge throughout the year. Spring and Fall migration times may surprise you if your fortunate enough to visit on a day when one of the varieties of hawks or owls stop over during their journeys.

A few years ago I saw a pair of Snowy Owls that had stopped by for a week in January, and just last fall I observed a pair of daylight hunting Short–eared Owls flying throughout the refuge in search of a meal. I have photographed Osprey fishing and nesting on the many platforms established within the refuge every year. Bald Eagles protectively sit near their fledgling young in late spring on dikes and in marsh grasses. In winter they hunt the open bay waters from their frozen river homes along Mullica River. On several occasions I’ve seen Peregrine Falcons perched in their large nest boxes or hunting the open fields of the northwest section of the refuge in clear view from the loop road. Gull Pond is a marvelous place to sit and wait for raptor action while you photograph a host of other waterfowl activities. If your patient, there’s a good chance you may be presented with photo possibilities of rails or an American Bittern that’s been observed in this area for a few years.

The best time to visit the refuge is during the spring and fall months for several reasons. The refuge is located within the heart of the Jersey shore area. Summer means a lot of people and traffic. Although this crowding will not impact on the solitude you experience with nature while in the refuge, it does make getting from point “A” to “B” difficult. Summer also means bugs. The salt marsh and mud flats make excellent habitat for production of “legions” of aggressive green–headed flies. Winter can be very productive for me, but weather conditions can make it a “crap shoot” for wildlife photography. If you’re lucky and can withstand the wind chill, winter can set up a fantastic landscape environment comprised of a multitude of textures and tones of grasses and plants that are blended with mineral colored icing of pools and wind blown snow. Your best bet to spot and photograph unusual or rare species is definitely during migration periods.

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© Dennis Naggy, Field Contributor

The most active part of the day for our “feathered friends,” of course, is morning and evening; however, I can’t recall a time when I couldn’t find some interesting avian goings–on at anytime of day. Another consideration that may be more important to wildlife than time is tide. Peak tidal change hours are always fruitful for great photo situations because of baitfish that swim in and out of pools with the flow of high and low tides. Match tidal peak with early morning or late afternoon/evening light and avian common feeding times and your in for a treat.

It’s never out of place to mention the safeguarding of your camera equipment. Edwin B. Forsythe NWR is located in the most densely populated State, but you would never know once inside the refuge. The refuge is located on a pocket of land much removed from the “hustle and bustle” of the rest of the world. People who may visit the refuge are birders, family campers, photographers and nature lovers. With this mix of nature, solitude and friendliness you want to let your guard down. Always keep your equipment out of sight and secured. Weather may seem less detrimental to your equipment than loss or theft, but it can be very damaging if precautions are not taken to protect and maintain sophisticated electronics in newer cameras and lenses. Even on a clear day winds whip up a salty mist that coats everything. I’ve had cameras and lenses stored at the ready in the back of my vehicle completely engulfed in fine sand or a damp mist. I cover cameras and lenses with clean cotton diapers until a shooting situation arises or leave them in an unzipped case. Although I use a vehicle window mount and tripods, I never drive or mount camera or lenses for long periods without a custom rain cover or plastic garbage bag placed over equipment. I wipe down my equipment and clean glass as soon as practical before storing for my next shoot. Visiting the car wash when you get home wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

If you experience a lull in photo action, run out of film or digital memory, there is plenty to do nearby.

The historic Smithville Inn and Village is only minutes away and offers fine dining and unique a shopping experience. At the entrance to the refuge is the Noyes Museum of Art, which is comprised of American folk and fine art. If you feel lucky, there’s more than a dozen lavish casinos and resorts only a thirty–minute drive away in Atlantic City. More along my speed are the world famous Boardwalk and Steel–pier where you can buy some of our famous—and delicious—saltwater taffy.

Moderately priced motels and B&B’s are located throughout the region. Rates for any dates before Memorial Day and after Labor Day holidays should be considered off–season. Camping is not permitted in the refuge, but there are several private campgrounds within a ten–mile radius that will meet anyone’s needs. More rustic campsites can be found at nearby Wharton and Bass River State Parks.

I’m not a gambling man, and on most occasions I don’t have the time or the money to hit those faraway places, especially with a chance of rolling a possible “snake–eyes” when it comes to weather or wildlife opportunities. I’ll just continue to play my “ace–in–a hole”—Brigantine.

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	© Dennis Naggy, Field Contributor

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge entrance, at Brigantine, is located on Great Creek Road east of U.S. Route 9 and only minutes from the Garden State Parkway or the Atlantic City Expressway. For more information on the refuge contact:

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Service
Great Creek Road
Oceanville, New Jersey 08231
Telephone: 609-652-1665
Fax: 609-652-1474
E-mail: FW5RW_FBRNWR@fws.gov
Internet: http://forsythe.fws.gov/

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