Yesterday’s Evening Grosbeaks did not reappear today at Scherman Hoffman in Bernardsville. They were searched for in the morning by Jeff Ellerbusch and myself. Instead, we had 40 Pine Siskins, some Purple Finches, an immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a Hermit Thrush or two and 74 Cedar Waxwings, etc. Interestingly, Tom Halliwell had a female Evening Grosbeak this afternoon at Kittatinny Valley State Park in Sussex County as reported to the Sussex County mailing list and JerseyBirds. Mike Hiotis reports two female Evening Grosbeaks at the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch at Merrill Creek in Warren County at 1 p.m. today. They are here; we must find them.

At least one Vesper Sparrow continues at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Hanover Township. They have been present since Oct. 15. Another Vesper Sparrow was located this afternoon at a section of Troy Meadows which is a part of the Patriots Path trail system in Morris County. There is a small gravel parking lot with a kiosk right off of South Beverwyck Road. Here is the location. The Vesper, Savannah, Field and Swamp Sparrows and Pine Siskins were near the parking area.

Vesper Sparrow, Veterans Memorial Park, Hanover Township, NJ, Oct. 21, 2012. One of two present since Oct. 15 (Photo by Jonathan Klizas)

The Melanie Lane Wetlands in Hanover Township still exist. What was the grass expanse on its border with Melanie Lane is now a construction site. The pond is flooded from the recent rain. My pants were soaked even with boots up to my knees. The waterfowl flushed before they were studied. However, the “Back Pond”, the area at the east end of the property, was loaded with Swamp Sparrows. A Winter Wren was seen and heard and a female Northern Parula was a surprise as she worked in a group of trees.
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From Joe Pescatore in Bernardsville:
Jon,
Read some of the recent posts about Siskins.
We have them here — and along w/ purple finches, they are eating us out of house and home!
Joe

Purple Finch, Bernardsville, NJ (Photo by Joe Pescatore)

Pine Siskin, Bernardsville, NJ (Photo by Joe Pescatore)