Little Blue Heron at Negri-Nepote

Little Blue Heron, Negri-Nepote, Franklin Twp., NJ, Aug. 4, 2013.
(Photo by Jeff Ellerbusch).

As originally reported on JerseyBirds, Vince Capp found a juvenile Little Blue Heron (LBHE) this morning at Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve, Franklin Twp. The LBHE stayed throughout the early afternoon at least.

Selody Sod Farm

Here are some recent shorebird results from Selody Sod Farm, Montgomery Twp. compiled by Jeff Ellerbusch:

Aug. 1, 2013

Killdeer- 68
Semipalmated Sandpiper- 6
Least Sandpiper- 13
Pectoral Sandpiper- 3

Aug. 3, 2013

Semipalmated Plover- 2
Killdeer- 140
Least Sandpiper- 4

Other Field Notes

A Virginia Rail was seen briefly in flight this morning at Mt. Hope Lake, Rockaway Twp. A paltry 90 Mute Swans were present, down from 185 on June 8, 2013. No Bald Eagles were seen.

A minimum of 15 Purple Martins were casually seen on the wires on Koclas Drive at Lake Musconetcong. There are probably more as this is one of the known Purple Martin colonies in Morris County.

11 Cliff Swallows were tallied at the Boonton Reservoir representing the highest count in 2013 at this nesting location. An unusual site was two motorboats cruising in the reservoir. The passenger’s life jackets read L.H.F.D., which probably refers to Lake Hopatcong Fire Department. Perhaps they were performing an exercise.