Melanie Lane Pond in Hanover Township continues to be the primary, and possibly only, productive shorebird habitat location in Morris County. The species list is stable for the last week. Today, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 3 Semiplamated Sandpipers, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 11 Least Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Sandpiper and 1 Solitary Sandpiper joined the 22 Killdeer, 4 Great Egrets and a Great Blue Heron that were present. Purple Loosestrife overwhelms the area making it impossible to view parts of the wetland.

Semipalmated and Pectoral Sandpipers, Melanie Lane Pond, Hanover Township, Morris County, July 31, 2012 (Photo by J. Klizas)

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Somerset County is hurting for shorebird habitat this season. Jeff Ellerbusch found some viewable habitat, with much effort, from the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath along Weston Canal Road in Franklin Township. 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 9 Least Sandpipers were at this location.