The early morning radar looked promising with a concentrated migration in the eastern United States.

The species most notable in Morris County were the expected Yellow-rumped Warblers, Kinglets and Sparrow spp. although not in any great number. Pine Siskins, Purple Finches (PUFI) and Lincoln Sparrows continue to be regular observations. Jamie Glydon and I worked Sayre’s Farm at sunrise with the following highlights:
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – 8
Eastern Bluebirds – 8
Common Yellowthroat
Palm Warbler – 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 32
Black-throated Green Warbler
Field Sparrow -2
Song Sparrow – 20
Lincoln’s Sparrow – 2
Swamp Sparrow – 15
White-throated Sparrow – 4
Purple Finch – 4
Pine Siskin – 12
Am. Goldfinch – 40
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The Vesper Sparrows found yesterday at Birchwood Manor in Whippany were absent this morning. Instead, 2 Am. Pipits, Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Co. Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler, Ea. Towhee, Chipping, Savannah, Song, Swamp, White-throated and White Crowned Sparrows, and a Dark-eyed Junco were present – 31 species in all. Not bad for what is a basic gravel and weedy parking lot next to an Interstate highway.
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Dark-eyed Juncos have made their seasonal appearance in Morris County this week. Rick Radis reports 9 in Rockaway on October 9. Alan Boyd had 15 at Black River WMA in Chester Township on Oct. 10. 1 was at Birchwood Manor this morning, Oct. 13. Simon Lane eBirded 8 from Pleasant Plains Road in the Great Swamp NWR this morning. Also from the Great Swamp, Simon reports the first 2 Rusty Blackbirds reported on eBird this season in Morris County.
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From Dan Albohn:
Jonathan,
Amidst the activity at the feeder this morning, I spotted a lone Pine Siskin. All was disrupted when a hawk swooped in and made off with something. I couldn’t identify the hawk.
I haven’t heard or seen the Red-breasted Nuthatches this morning, but they have been hanging around over this past week.
Dan Albohn
Convent Station (Morris Twp.)
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From Jane Flynn:
Activity around my feeders (Morris Plains/Parsippany border) increased considerably this morning. Aside from the usual visitors, I saw:
pine siskin – 2
purple finch – 2 (male and female)
dark-eyed juncos – 2
yellow-rumped warbler – 1