A Red-breasted Merganser was on Mt. Hope Lake this afternoon. This is only the second one reported in Morris County since the spring. The other was the December 3rd sighting by Tom Halliwell on Budd Lake. Yesterday’s Blue-winged Teal were not visible. The Teal are also an interesting sighting as these are the only Blue-winged Teal reported on eBird this December in New Jersey outside of Cape May. The 75 American Coot seen on Sunday were not present today, or at least not seen. There is a slight corner to this lake not visible without trespassing on private property and it’s possible some waterfowl were hiding there. The Ruddy Duck numbers are below 30 after a high of 160 in November. 30 Mute Swans are at the lake. There were 135 here in July.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas.