Huge swarms of thousands of Common Grackles (COGR) in the airspace over Hillsborough Township are a common morning sight during the past week. Heading west, what is assumed to be the same birds are favoring the area of the South Branch in the Neshanic Station area. Jeff Ellerbusch encountered: “A very, very conservative 15,000 COGR at Studdiford, consisting of 3 flocks…only 1 flock is hanging around.” Also in this same area were 3,000 Canada Geese, 3 Cackling Geese and 1 Snow Goose (Blue Goose – photo below) as well as a Northern Harrier, 2 Killdeer and 2 Northern Pintail.

(Photo by Jeff Ellerbusch)

This is after Jeff had 12,000 Common Grackles, 1,500 Red-winged Blackbirds and 600 Brown-headed Cowbirds at the farm on River Rd. between Norz Dr. and South Branch Road. People were stopping on the side of the road to watch.

In Morris County: Mike Wolfe had the 14 Redheads today at Clark Dr., in Mt. Olive Township. (Photo by Mike Wolfe.)

The Northern Shrike continues in Boonton Township seen by Jim Mulvey yesterday and this writer today at 4:45 p.m. in the rain. (Photo by Jonathan Klizas.)

175 Common Mergansers were on Lake Valhalla in Montville Township along with 5 Ruddy Ducks and a few Bufflehead.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas.