Yellow-crowned Night-Heron at Colonial Park
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Franklin Twp., Apr. 22, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Franklin Twp., Apr. 22, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
An immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (YCNH) was discovered today at Colonial Park in Franklin Township (Zack Batren, Jeff Ellerbusch). This represents the first known photo-documented YCNH in Somerset County. It was in the roped off section of the smaller of the two ponds. Look for the gazebo and take the path to the back section of the pond. It was seen as late as 4:30 p.m. The following photo of the YCNH is by Jeff Ellerbusch.
Other Field Notes
From Susan Treesh:
I watched hundreds of Chimney Swifts moving steadily downstream along the Raritan River during my evening commute home. The swirl was steady, not discontinuous. More seemed to be approaching the flyway from the NW – I wonder if they migrate via the Appalachians rather than the coast?
From Chris Duffek at Griggstown Grasslands:
Very strong winds today, did not see a single warbler. Lots of Towhees singing, one Harrier hunting, no Orioles.
Eastern Towhee, Griggstown Grasslands, NJ, Apr. 22, 2013 (photo by Chris Duffek)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Griggstown Grasslands, NJ, Apr. 22, 2013 (photo by Chris Duffek).
mocosocoBirds 
A search on 4/23 from 1:15–1:45 did not yield the Yellow-crowned Night-heron. For anyone else visiting, the site is actually the northwest arm of Spooky Brook Pond, as shown on Google Maps. The two bodies of water flanking Mettler’s Road are under construction; neither should be interpreted as “the smaller pond.” The gazebo mentioned in the initial post is at the west side of the bridge which crosses Spooky Brook Pond. The dirt trail leads off to the north from the gazebo.