Eurasian Wigeon at Finderne Wetlands

The drake Eurasian Wigeon found yesterday, Mar. 20, by Jeff Ellerbusch was at the Van Veghten pond this morning before 7:00 a.m. (J. Klizas). It was not seen later in the day, similar to its behavior yesterday. Caution is required in approaching the pond as the waterfowl will flush easily. Stay in your car, preferably. The Prius is a great stealth vehicle in a situation like this, as this writer can attest to. The following photo illustrates the amount of noise introduced into an image when shooting during pre-sunrise civil twilight .

Eurasian Wigeon, pre-dawn at Finderne Wetlands, NJ, Mar. 21, 2014 (photo attempt by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Greater White-fronted Goose in Long Valley

The Greater White-fronted Goose of Long Valley, Washington Twp. was present again today on Beacon Hill Road (Alan Boyd). Between 1,000-1,500 Snow Geese descended on the field a short time later (A. Boyd, David Bernstein). Apparently, the Greater White-fronted Goose was not seen after that.

A few words about Washington Township geography: there are 6 municipalities in New Jersey with Washington in their name. Contributing to further confusion with Morris County’s Washington Twp., is that part of the township has a Califon, Hunterdon County zip code according to the national zip code map. The map, here, is correct in illustrating the political borders. mocosocoBirds.com prefers Long Valley as the name for this area. This is how most people label it anyway. The Washington Township designation is confusing (written by someone who grew up in what was then called Passaic Township in Morris County, which later had its name changed to Long Hill Twp. so as not to be confused and associated with the city of Passaic or Passaic County. Is that clear?)

Other Field Notes

The drake Redhead continues at Osborn Pond along with Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded and Common Mergansers (m. obs.).

12 Tree Swallows were listed on eBird at Osborn Pond by Robert Stapperfenne.

Alan Boyd reports the following at Lake Musconetcong:
Mute Swan – 66
Wood Duck – 8
American Wigeon – 3
Ring-necked Duck – 630 (high count so far in 2014 in Morris and Somerset Counties)
Bufflehead – 6
Common Goldeneye – 1
Hooded Merganser – 33
Common Merganser – 215

At Boonton Reservoir, Kevin Browne listed on eBird: 2 Greater Scaup, 9 Bufflehead, 1 Common Goldeneye, and 240 Common Mergansers.

Chris Thomas photographed the following Northern Shoveler in a flooded area not far from the Fenske Visitor Center on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR.

And, yes, the Red-necked Grebe of Mendham spent the 28th day of its residency at Clyde Potts Reservoir (Kevin Browne).