Glenhurst Meadows

14 Red-headed Woodpeckers were tallied along the Passaic River at Glenhurst Meadows this morning (Jeff Ellerbusch). Other highlights include 4 Hermit Thrushes, 1,500 American Robins, 1 American Pipit, 4 Vesper Sparrows in the garden area, 80 Savannah, 60 Song, 75 Swamp, 100 White-throated and 6 White-crowned Sparrows as well as 9 flyover Purple Finches.

Troy Meadows

Red-headed Woodpecker, Troy Meadows, Oct. 30, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

7 Red-headed Woodpeckers were casually observed in the north edge of the marsh near Troy Meadows Road. At least 15 Rusty Blackbirds were with the hundreds of Red-winged Blackbirds in the same area. 3, and possibly 5, Vesper Sparrows continue near the trap shoot. A Fox Sparrow was with a large group of White-throated sparrows. A Great Egret continues in a secluded pond.

Other field notes.

From Julie Buechner:
An adult Bald Eagle was flying low over the Rockaway River at the Tourne this morning and a Common Loon has shown up at the Boonton Reservoir .

On the previous day (Oct. 29) at Melanie Lane Wetlands, Julie photographed a Pectoral Sandpiper. Also present were a Lesser Yellowlegs, American Coot, Great Egret, Wilson’s Snipe, 20 Gadwall, 3 Northern Pintail and 4 Green-winged Teal.

From Ken Hart:
A surprising array of birds showed up just outside my house (Black River Rd., Long Valley) within 20 minutes of each other: At least 5 Dark-eyed Juncos, 3 or more Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 1 Brown Creeper, 3 Hermit Thrush, 2 Bluebirds, and 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (adult female). These last 3 species–all 6 individuals- were eating berries from a Dogwood tree at the same time.