Common Loons at Boonton Reservoir

Below: The typical distant view at Boonton Reservoir of Common Loons, today.

Common Loons at Boonton Reservoir, NJ, Mar. 28, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Things are heating up, both with the temperature and migration. 19 Common Loons were at the north end of Boonton Reservoir this afternoon. All were in complete, or near complete, alternate plumage. Most were in one group of 12-14 individuals with the others in smaller groups or singles. 11 Green-winged Teal were in the middle of the reservoir with 80+ Ring-billed Gulls and the dwindling number of Common Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks and Buffleheads.

Raptors and Tundra Swan at Great Swamp NWR

Jim Mulvey spotted a light morph Rough-legged Hawk today along Pleasant Plains Road near the 90-degree turn. What is probably the same Rough-legged Hawk was seen later by Simon Lane at the overlook where a movement of birds was witnessed including 3 Osprey, 3 Northern Harriers (2 “Gray Ghosts”), Sharp-shinned Hawks, Fish Crows, Great Egret, etc.

Jim Gilbert found the following Tundra Swan in the Headquarters Pond on Pleasant Plains Road earlier in the day. It was still there towards dusk.

Tundra Swan at Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Mar. 28, 2014 (photo by Jim Gilbert).

Elsewhere

Along the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath, Jeff Ellerbusch found the following: 58 Ring-necked Ducks, 27 Bufflehead, 11 Common Goldeneye, 2 Hooded, 16 Common and 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Osprey, 1 American Kestrel and 2 Peregrine Falcons, etc.