About This Location
Nickerson Beach sits along the south shore of Long Island, where wide sandy beaches, rolling dunes, and open Atlantic views create one of the most important coastal bird habitats in the region. Known especially for breeding shorebirds, the beach offers exceptional opportunities to observe birds at eye level in a dynamic environment shaped by wind, tide, and light. During nesting season, large sections of the dunes are carefully roped off to protect birds, yet nests and family interactions often occur just beyond the barriers, allowing for respectful viewing and photography at remarkably close range.
Photography Notes
I photographed at Nickerson Beach over a two-day period in July, arriving well before sunrise to catch the first light of day. There is a large parking lot with restrooms and a food truck, though an entry fee applies unless you arrive very early, which we did to be on the beach at dawn. This visit coincided perfectly with breeding season, when Common Terns and American Oystercatchers were actively raising chicks. This trip was part of a photo workshop led by professional photographer Isaac Grant, and it fundamentally changed the way I approach bird photography. Working in the early morning light, we lay flat on the sand with the rising sun behind tern chicks to capture rim light—an approach I had never tried before, but one that produced some of my most meaningful images. Over the course of the workshop, which also included Lightroom processing sessions, the foundations of my bird photography principles began to take shape, especially my focus on light, perspective, and storytelling. One of the highlights was witnessing the first day of two American Oystercatcher fledglings, including moments of sibling interaction and playful wrestling in the sand. We photographed terns in flight, adults feeding chicks, and later in the evening returned to the beach to work at eye level once again, this time with oystercatcher families silhouetted against a glowing orange sunset. The combination of behavior, light, and shared learning made this experience one of the true highlights of my birding and photography journey.
Location
