Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Aug. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

An Olive-sided Flycatcher (OSFL) was seen this morning at Sasso Tract, Rockaway Township. An OSFL was observed at the same place on Saturday, Aug. 17. Is this the same individual? Didn’t an OSFL recently stay at the Great Swamp for three days at least? Why wouldn’t one stay for a week in Rockaway. Roger Johnson and I also found a very modest collection of warblers: Magnolia, Black-and-white, Canada, Chestnut-sided, American Redstart and Common Yellowthroat. Other species included Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Cedar Waxwing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and the typical species of the area.

A Herring Gull seen at Lake Parsippany on Aug. 21 will usually not cause a fuss. The BirdLog app for submitting eBird data flagged it is as rare, which triggered a double-take in me. After looking at eBird data I understood why: it was the first Herring Gull reported to eBird from Morris and Somerset Counties since April.

The Little Blue Heron of Melanie Lane Wetlands never returned. A Northern Waterthrush was seen there on Aug. 22 (Jamie Glydon).