Roger Johnson and I birded a sampling of Morris Lakes this morning. Highlights are Black Scoters on Budd Lake, Horned Grebes on Lake Musconetcong, 330 Ruddy Ducks on Mt. Hope Lake, Common Loons and Buffleheads on Boonton Reservoir and Common Loon on Lake Parsippany. The Horned Grebes, Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks and American Coot are the first reported in Morris County this season. The 330 Ruddy Ducks represent the high count for 2012 in Morris County. According to the eBird database, it is the all-time high count for Morris.

Budd Lake, Mt. Olive Township
Black Scoter – 3
Hooded Merganser – 3
Double-crested Cormorant – 1
American Coot – 4

Lake Musconetcong
Mute Swan – 72
Hooded Merganser – 2
Pied-billed Grebe – 30
Horned Grebe – 3 (southwest corner)
Double-crested Cormorants – 30
Bald Eagle – adult
American Coot – 30

Mt. Hope Lake, Rockaway Township
Mute Swan – 66
Wood Duck – 5
Gadwall – 6
American Wigeon – 2
American Black Duck – 6
Mallard – 20
Ring-necked Duck – 8
Ruddy Duck – 330
Pied-billed Grebe – 2
Bald Eagle – adult, swooped for a fish, unsuccessfully, directly in front of our car as we parked.

Boonton Reservoir, from the walkway (old bridge) off Reservoir Dr.
Common Loon – 1
Bufflehead – 2

Lake Parsippany
Green-winged Teal – 1
Common Loon – 1
Pied-billed Grebe – 2