Great Swamp/Watchung Ridges Christmas Bird Count – 2011

Here are some highlights from the team working the Great Swamp in the Pleasant Plains Rd./Management area as reported by Jeff Ellerbusch and Simon Lane.

9296 Snow Goose.
“Very impressive movement, especially towards the evening when vast majority of birds were seen- roughly 6,500 seen between 3:30pm-4:45pm. Groups ranged from 50-600 birds with the average group consisting 300 birds.”

Other waterbirds:
7500 Canada Geese, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck and Hooded Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot.

Other species:
Bald Eagle, Northern Harriers, Sharp-shinned, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks.
3 Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Winter Wren and Marsh Wren.
160 Rusty Blackbirds.
Purple Finch.
Common Raven.
63 species for this team alone.
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Another team had the Cackling Goose at Briant Park in Summit. This is the same individual seen the previous Sunday, December 11. The goose has a damaged left wing but seems to be holding up despite this.

J. Klizas