Starting with Somerset County:

Any birder driving along River Road in Hillsborough Township lately has noticed the multitude of Geese in the Raritan River. Today, Jeff Ellerbusch surveyed the mass in the river from the vicinity of Robert Street in Bridgewater to Duke Island Park. He estimates 4000-4500 Canada Geese. Of greater interest, 16 Cackling Geese and 2 Greater White-fronted Geese (GWFG) were also found in the throng. Based on markings, one of the GWFG is determined to be the fourth separate individual in Somerset County this season. The Cackling Geese were in one family group of eight along with singles and doubles.

Morris County Lakes:

Mike Hiotis reports that the Redheads of Clark Drive in Mt. Olive returned today. Their numbers have been augmented to 16 increasing their already high count for New Jersey in 2012.

The two adult Bald Eagles reappeared at Mt. Hope Lake this afternoon. They are ignoring the nest that they built. The two eagles sailed over the lake and out of view. 103 Mute Swans are now at the lake, an increase of 40 since Thursday. The 6 Tundra Swans present on Thursday must have had enough and departed for they were not at the lake today.

Mt. Hope totals:
Mute Swan – 103
Gadwall – 4
American Wigeon – 50+
Ring-necked Duck – 5
Hooded Merganser – 8
Bufflehad – 4
Bald Eagle – 2

200 Common Mergansers and 12 Ruddy Ducks were at Butler Reservoir in Kinnelon.
Neighboring Fayson Lakes added another 45 Common Mergansers and 7 Buffleheads.

Indian Lake in Denville had 36 Lesser Scaup, 5 Hooded Mergansers and 7 Common Mergansers.

Green Pond in Rockaway Township came in with 200 Common Mergansers but nearby Split Rock Reservoir was absolutely birdless.

Lake Parsippany had 65 Gadwall, ~60 Common Mergansers, 30 Ring-necked Ducks and 5 Ruddy Ducks.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas.