The Night-Herons of Parsippany

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Parsippany, NJ, Oct. 8, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

Both the juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (YCNH) and juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron (BCNH) continue at the Jefferson Road Pond in Parsippany. The YCNH was originally found on September 9. The BCNH joined it on September 11, both found by Julie Buechner. A second YCNH showed up on Septemeber 12. All three were seen sporadically during September. One YCNH and the BCNH made it into October.

Black-crowned Night-Heron, Parsippany, NJ, Oct. 8, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

The following screen shots of eBird range maps illustrate the rarity of an inland YCNH, especially in October and for this length of time. The image below shows records of YCNH from Connecticut to Virginia so far during October 2013. All are coastal except for the Parsippany individual. Click on the image for a larger version.

The screen shot of the map below shows all years in October based on eBird data. Most of the inland records are of one-day and one observer only. The Parsippany YCNH is known to be present for an entire month and has been seen by many observers.

Field Notes

This morning, Duke Farms in Hillsborough Twp. had 8 sparrow species including Lincoln’s and White-crowned. Other highlights include 20 Eastern Meadowlarks, 1 Bobolink, 1 American Pipit (Jeff Ellerbusch).

From Grant Davis:
Glenhurst Meadows was loaded this morning, but had only a couple of hours before I had to leave. Sparrows included Vesper, Savannah, Field, Song, White-throated, Lincoln’s, and White-crowned, and were there in big numbers.
Warblers are tailing off, but had a beautiful Connecticut not too far in from the parking lot, right along the trail. I saw one near the same spot last Wednesday afternoon, and wonder if it is the same bird. Otherwise had only Yellow-rumpeds and Palms, with one Yellowthroat.
Both Kinglets present, relatively small numbers.
Saw or heard six woodpeckers, ironically everything but Downy. (Only happens in Glenhurst)(may go back later on a Downy hunt)
Many, many Bluebirds, very active.

Later in the morning, went to Finderne Wetlands. Raptor city. Four bald eagles, two fully mature, two immatures, were perched and then soaring. One of them was harassed by a red-tail hawk, which was in turn mobbed by a gang of delinquent Kestrels, altogether good show. Not sure of the Kestrel count, too many and too active. Also one Merlin, trying to stay out of the way. Almost nothing in the way of small birds, but they may have been watching the aerial show from cover.

From Leslie Webster:
News from Loantaka Brook Reservation: the cold front brought Yellow-rumped Warblers, a couple of Black-throated Green Warblers, and some Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Common Yellowthroats persist, as well as Gray Catbirds and Eastern Phoebes. On October 4, two Green-winged Teal landed on Kitchell Pond, perhaps the first of the season.
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Yesterday, Oct. 7 – viewed from the D&R Towpath – Weston Canal Area (Jeff Ellerbusch)
1 Killer
2 Greater Yellowlegs
3 Lesser Yellowlegs
6 Pectoral Sandpipers