Stats
Shorebirds
21,000 shorebirds
24 different species
Red Knots
16,000 on the point
20,000 on Champagne Island
More than beach nesters
Snowy Owl
Sea Lavender
Upland Plants
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1.American Beach Grass
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2.Seaside Goldenrod
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3.Evening Primrose
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4.Prickly Pear Cactus
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5.Yarrow
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6.Eastern Red Cedar
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7.Sea Lavender
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8.Saltmarsh Aster
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9.Swamp Rose-mallow
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10.Marsh Elder
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11.Black Grass
Saltmarsh Plants
1. Saltmarsh Cordgrass
2. Saltmeadow Cordgrass
3. Saltgrass
4. Sea Lettuce
5. Eelgrass
6. Red Algae
7. Spaghetti Grass
8. Rockweed
The Point and its surrounds...
Hereford Inlet provides a crucial pathway for over a hundred species of finfish and shellfish to move between spawning grounds, nursery areas. foraging habitat and the open ocean. Dolphins can be seen frolicking in the surf off the point in the summer.
Sea turtles can be found during the summer. foraging in the estuaries. Northern diamondback terrapin emerge from the bay to nest at the Point.
Anglers come from miles around to try their luck at catching stripers, herring, bluefish and other finfish from the surf around the inlet. Mullet and small fish can be found in the tidal pond at the north end of the point.
Seals can occasionally be found hauling themselves out of the water to bask or rest at the point during the winter. Waterfowl flock to the bay around the point, many to choose to spend the winter here. The Atlantic Coast Joint Venture has designated the Point as a NJ Waterfowl Focus Area for its importance to breeding, migratory and overwintering of waterfowl.
Its not uncommon for snowy owls to spent of the winter at the point along with Oystercatchers, American Black Ducks and Atlantic Brant. The show at the point changes with each season, but there is always something to interesting to see.
In the fall monarch butterflies migrate south to their winter homes in Mexico by the thousands, stopping to feast on the seaside goldenrod at the Point. An unbelievable sight!
