Jones Beach and Point Lookout

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026

Leader: Joseph DiCostanzo
Transportation: Carpool Trip: While carpool rides for everyone usually work out, there is no guarantee of enough volunteer drivers to accommodate all participants. The Registrar will work to organize rides and to notify participants when a rental car may be necessary. Registrar will also inform participants of the carpool fee, which is based on the trip location; the cost of any rental cars should be split evenly by those participants.
Meeting Point: After your registration is confirmed, the Registrar will share directions, the exact meeting place, and time with attendees.
Schedule: Half-day, ending in early afternoon.
Relative Difficulty: Be prepared to walk about five miles on a slow upgrade and downgrade.

Trip Description: Jones Beach State Park and nearby Point Lookout are among the best locations in the area for viewing wintering ducks, loons, grebes, geese, gulls, shorebirds, passerines, raptors, and owls. The state park occupies 6.5 miles of a barrier island along the Atlantic coast of Nassau County and contains varied habitats, including ocean beaches, bays, dunes, and forested areas. eBird records for January include over 100 avian species, and we will be on the lookout for exciting rarities, including Snowy Owl, Harlequin Duck, Purple Sandpiper, Razorbill, Murres, Horned Lark and Lapland Longspur.

Registration: Registration opens at 9 am on Monday, November 23. After that time, click here to register. Registration closes at 6 pm on Wednesday, December 2. Members (and those who have applied for membership) will be prioritized over non-members.

Please read the About Our Trips page, if you’re going on a field trip for the first time. It details our field trip policies, recommends what to bring on a trip, and offers other useful information, pro tips, and tricks.

If after visiting the About Our Trips page, you still have questions, feel free to contact the Registrar via email.