The Wilson’s Warbler (WIWA) was known to be at the Chatham Sewage Ponds for approximately one month from Dec. 17 to Jan. 19. There have been no reports since. There have been Christmas count records of Wilson’s Warbler in New Jersey but the Chatham individual represents the first over-wintering record in state history (per Bill Boyle). The WIWA was searched for this morning by Jeff Ellerbusch and this writer. It was not found. Instead, a surprising discovery was a female Blue-winged Teal (distant, low-light, grainy, ID photo below). Other species included:
Gadwall – 8
Northern Shoveler -14 (county high for 2012)
Ring-necked Duck – 41
Lesser Scaup – 2 females
Bufflehead – 9
Common Merganser – 6 flyovers
Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Blue-winged Teal behind the resting Ruddy Duck. ID photo.

The Northern Shrike was at the Johanson Memorial Fields, Boonton Township at 9:25. It vocalized while perched on the trees on the 3rd base side of the softball field and then flew to the trees on the opposite side of the baseball field.

Elsewhere, Split Rock Reservoir in Rockaway Township had only 4 Buffleheads on the water and 7 flyover Common Mergansers. Two Bald Eagles: one adult, one adult wanna-be, and one Common Raven were also present.

There are now 6 Redheads at the 2nd pond at Clark Drive in Mt. Olive Township – 2 drakes, 4 hens. The water on the pond has completely thawed which is the case throughout most of Morris County.

The recently thawed Budd Lake had approximately 1,000 Canada Geese on the western side of the lake along with 190 Common Mergansers and a Ring-necked Duck. Only a few gulls were present. Viewing is difficult when the birds are on that side of the lake. A male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and an adult Bald Eagle were also viewed.

Yesterday, Feb. 4, Dave Harrison found a drake Canvasback on the pond at Califon Road, which is tucked in the southwest corner of Morris County in Washington Township. Today the Canvasback was refound, a good day for Aythya sp. in the county.

Jeff Ellerbusch of Warren Township is well documented as being a Cackling Goose magnet, especially in Somerset County. He has probably seen more “Cacks” in the past year than anyone in the east. Today, Jeff brought his Branta hutchinsii-finding skills to Morris County. Sure enough, before the targeted Canvasback was located, Jeff pulled out Morris County’s first Cackling Goose for 2012 at Califon Pond.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas (Photos also by J. Klizas).