From Alan Boyd:

Hi Jonathan,

A pair of chipping sparrows were singing in our yard in Roxbury this morning.

Alan Boyd

Ed. Note: These represent the first Chipping Sparrows reported in the northwestern section of Morris County in 2012.
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This writer spent an hour this afternoon exploring the Central Valley Wetlands in the eastern part of Florham Park. Part of this area is a land trust of the Passaic River Coalition encompassing 35 acres. Sturdy mud-worthy boots with good tread are de rigeur. A flat, partially wooded area drained by the Passaic River, this place, northeast of Route 24, has obviously spent a lot of time submerged under water during the past few years. 3 Wilson’s Snipe, 4 Killdeer, 12 Green-winged Teal and a Great Blue Heron were found in two of the small pools today. 2 Northern Rough-winged Swallows were at the pond by the parking area. This could be a mildly productive shorebird area depending on water levels. Access is from the Sun Valley condominium development on Passaic Avenue in Florham Park. This is almost across the street from the Wilson’s Warbler spot at the Chatham Sewage Ponds this past winter. If you ever decide to visit enter via the one-way Sun Valley Road. Park near the pond west of the tennis courts. Consult a Google Earth map to acquaint yourself with the area. Don’t say you weren’t warned if you get knee-deep in mud in some spots. If it rains substantially, bring a kayak.
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Loantaka Brook Reservation had three Pine Warblers late this afternoon, two of them singing. At one time all three were in a Birch next to the pond. 4 Green-winged Teal remain at the pond.
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In Somerset County:

Harvey Tomlinson reports the first two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers of 2012 in the MoCoSoCo region from Lord Stirling Park today.
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From the Studdiford Bridge area of Branchburg and Hillsborough Townships, there was a report of Osprey, Palm Warbler and Double-crested Cormorant.