This is what you see

when you lay down on the rocky ground directly beneath one of these

which are the behemoths marching across Jefferson and Rockaway Townships begat by PSE&G’s Susquehanna-Roseland Project.

Organizations, including New Jersey Audubon, are researching and evaluating the habitat underneath these giants. Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, interesting Vermivora warblers and many other species are still using these areas. However, the clearings made to accommodate the construction of these towers are devastating to the immediate habitats. See sections of the Farny Highlands and Mahlon Dickerson Reservation for examples in real life. All we can do is monitor how these affected areas recover.

Weekend wrap-up

The Winter Wren of Snake Hill Rd. in Rockaway Twp. was heard again Friday, June 28 (Jamie Glydon).
A Yellow-breasted Chat is reported from Duke Farms near Beekman’s Lane, Hillsborough Twp. It appears as though the other Morris County Chats are either silent or gone, although the White Bridge x Pleasant Plains Rd. Chat may still be audible.

Otherwise, it is breeding birds as usual, albeit a good year for Cuckoos.

Butterfly Counts

July is nigh and butterfly count season is here. The Great Swamp Butterfly count is July 6. The NABA Butterfly count calendar for New Jersey is listed on this page: www.naba.org/chapters/nabanj/calendar.html
Scroll down for the count dates and contacts.

Common Milkweed is popping at the right time.

Common Milkweed, Wildcat Ridge WMA, Rockaway Twp., NJ, June 29, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)