Bald Eagle Meal, Franklin Twp., Jan. 8, 2014 (photo by Jim Gilbert)

Unfortunately, the Red-throated Loon was not alive when Jim Gilbert found it at Colonial Park, Franklin Twp. Here is Jim’s account:”Not the typical field guide view, but there it was, and I’m sure still is except for the parts that left with the Bald Eagle. I wonder how things transpired before I arrived. Unfortunately I had my eye on another eagle in a nearby tree and saw the one on the ice only as I crested the berm across the road from the tennis courts. No chance for a photo before the feeding eagle flushed. The loon looks to be in fairly good shape considering. No open water on that pond and I doubt that the eagle would have carried it there.”
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From Tim Vogel, Jan. 7, 2014:
Spent a few hours today working the Rockaway River starting in Jefferson along Berkshire Valley rd, into Dover, Rockaway, Denville and Boonton. Not much to report except a fair number of Hooded Mergansers at most stops.
At the Indian Lake spillway, Denville (Den Brook):
Hooded Mergansers 6
Lesser Scaup 4
Ring-necked Duck 8
Also a swan I identified as a Tundra Swan but I’m not 100% on the ID. It didn’t present as cleanly as I wished. I know a Trumpeter had been on Mt Hope pond this fall.
On the main lake I had 5 Mute Swans and 2 female Scaup (sp.) in a small opening.
Lots of Robins around. – Tim Vogel, Denville