Royal Terns at Huguenot Memorial Park
When
Date Sunday, June 21, 2026
Time 7:00 am
Where
Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226.
Contact - Jim Angelo 860-916-7528
Parking Info - General parking in the park or outside the gate. Beach parking.
Entrance Info - $5 per vehicle, up to 8 passengers. Veterans pay $2.50
Transportation
Make your own arrangements. We will meet at 7:00 am in the parking are near "Family Beach". That is the last parking before heading onto the beach. Here we will consolidate to as few vehicles as possible. Four-wheel drive is very strongly recommended for driving on the beach.
Low tide on June 21 is about 8:12 am which gives us a nice window from 6am to 10am with lots of open beach for driving.
Food
Breakfast/lunch after.
Schedule of Events
See Parking, above
We plan to shoot from 7:00 to 10:00, although we may adjourn earlier.
In addition to the Royal Terns there are Laughing Gulls and Brown Pelicans nesting in the dunes, and possible Sandwich Terns and Least Terns. Part of the 'big show' is the month-old terns walking out on the beach and near the water in large groups. They are accompanied by adults who also attempt to feed them. The gulls have other ideas.
Remember that the birds are protected and their safety is paramount. Please do not act in an manner that causes added stress for these birds.
Breakfast or lunch will be after, place to be determined.
Event Website
Other Tips
Your will want a telephoto lens. The birds are close enough that you could get by with only 200mm, but a longer zoom would be better. You can bring a tripod, stool, cooler, etc. This is the beach. Don't forget sunscreen and a good hat.
Directions
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