The first influx of Chimney Swifts reached Morris County today. 6 were at Loantaka Brook Reservation in Harding and Morris Townships this afternoon along with many Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Morris County’s first Baltimore Oriole of 2012 was singing in the trees behind the pond. Solitary Sandpiper was the only shorebird.

Swallows seemed to be the bird of the day. Congregations of primarily Tree and Barn Swallows with scattered N. Rough-winged Swallows were at various ponds throughout the area. No other species were found.

Chimney Swifts made a push into Somerset County yesterday with a group of 10 in the town of Raritan. Jeff Ellerbusch reported Swifts everywhere and in big numbers in his travels around Somerset County. Jeff had 15 Purple Martins on the Verizon Pond in Basking Ridge yesterday. Robert J. Stahl Natural Area in Bedminster also had 15.

Sunday’s rain obliterated some shorebird habitat but did not create as much new habitat as was hoped. Nonetheless, 15 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs were at a grassy pool along River Road in Hillsborough Township. The Pectoral Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs that had been at Negri-Nepote Grasslands in Franklin Township were not found this morning. 3 Greater Yellowlegs remain. Solitary Sandpipers are appearing everywhere.

Submitted by Jonathan Klizas.