The overlook at Pleasant Plains Road at 4 a.m. was quieter than hoped. All that was heard for twenty minutes was a single grunting Virginia Rail, a Marsh Wren outburst and the inevitable Swamp Sparrows.

The management area accessed by the Harding Gate on Long Hill Road (permit is necessary) was fruitful with a calling Black-billed Cuckoo. As sunrise illuminated the wetlands, an immature Black-crowned Night Heron called and flew over the ponds to the nearby woods. The swallow show was impressive. At least 10 Cliff Swallows circled over the gravel roadway. At least 1 Bank Swallow was present joining the Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. At 6:35 a.m. a Sora whinnied twice from a close location. All of the other typical passerines of the area were in full song. Common Gallinules were heard here last weekend but neither Wednesday night nor this morning.
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Melanie Lane Pond in Hanover Township continues to have the same species: Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted and Least Sandpipers, Killdeer, 3 swallow species (although the careful and tireless observer can probably pull out another), Great Egrets, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, Savannah Sparrows and Bobolinks. Since the cutting of a major part of the grass field, the Bobolinks have moved to the other end of the field near the parking lot of an office building.
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Good luck to all World Series of Birding participants. Happy International Migratory Bird Day 2012 tomorrow to everyone and every bird (birdday.org).
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Spotted Sandpiper at Melanie Lane Pond, May 11, 2012 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)