Little Blue Heron at Loantaka Brook Reservation

(Photo by Chris Thomas)

While searching the fenced-in pond at Loantaka Brook Reservation early this morning for shorebirds (there are none), an adult Little Blue Heron flew into the pond in close proximity to the continuing male and female Blue-winged Teal. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers were in the trees near the pond. Little Blue Heron is a rare visitor to Morris County with one or two sightings per year, if at all (J. Klizas).

Vesper Sparrow at Glenhurst Meadows

This morning, a Vesper Sparrow was at Wagner Arboretum (west side of Glenhurst Meadows) where the old barn used to be. Also, 3 Blue-winged Teal and 18 Green-winged Teal, 4 Broad-winged Hawks, 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers, 4 American Kestrels, 1 Merlin, 9 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 25 Palm, 2 Pine and 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 6 Field and 6 Savannah Sparrows (Jeff Ellerbusch).

 Bald Eagle in Hanover Twp.

Bald Eagle, Hanover Twp., NJ, Apr. 12, 2014 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

From Chuck Hantis, Apr. 12, 2014 at Melanie Lane Wetlands:
“I counted 7 Great Egrets, 2 Great Blue Herons, a pair of Northern Shovelers , then a bunch of Green-winged Teal exploded off the water. Like magic, the Eagle showed up.”

Bald Eagle, Hanover Twp., NJ, Apr. 12, 2014 (photo by Chuck Hantis).

 Broad-winged Hawks

The spring Broad-winged Hawk season in Morris County began yesterday, Apr. 12, with 19 tallied at the Wildcat Ridge hawk watch in Rockaway Township.

Other Field Notes

Purple Martins are back at the Verizon Pond off of South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge (J. Ellerbusch).

3 Pectoral Sandpipers continue at Opie Road, Branchburg Twp. (David Bernstein).

Photos

American Bittern at Great Swamp NWR, Apr. 12, 2014 (photo by Tom Smith).

Hermit Thrush, Rockaway Twp. NJ, Apr. 13, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas).