Morris and Somerset Counties’ après storm findings were quite modest compared with those found elsewhere in the state. Jeff Ellerbusch managed a Brant, Great Egret and Common Merganser at Finderne Wetlands.

Lake Parsippany held 4 Common Loons throughout the day joined by small groups of Bufflehead, Ruddy Ducks and 2 Pied-billed Grebes. Rick Radis had a Long-tailed Duck at 12:30. At 2:00, the Long-tailed Duck was gone. A few minutes later, Jamie Glydon saw 6 White-winged Scoters with the 4 Common Loons. By 2:30, the White-winged Scoters were gone. Such is the dynamic of migration and storms.

White-winged Scoters, Lake Parsippany, Oct. 30, 2012 (Photo by Jamie Glydon)

The storm damage in Morris Township is much worse than I thought when I awoke this morning. Our house and property barely lost a branch. Yet down the street trees were lying atop roofs and power lines were stretched to the ground by fallen trees. An attempt to drive into Mendham Township was thwarted at every turn by closed roads. It may be some time before electric power returns to our area. This post was written on a battery-powered laptop tethered to an iPhone hotspot. Good luck to all.