A memorable and fruitful month of May comes to a close. What seemed like a steady stream of migrants made for a satisfying birding experience in the mocosocoBirds area.

The two Blue Grosbeaks of Florham Park continue – usually seen between the two mounds, affectionately known as Mt. Florham and Little Flo, near the rear pond. In the recent past, this location has had Clay-colored and Vesper Sparrow, Bobolinks, Snowy Egret and Morris County’s one and only Pink-footed Goose among many other species.

Another immature male Blue Grosbeak was found today in Long Valley behind the township’s Middle School (Roger Johnson, J. Klizas).

An informal grassland survey in Long Valley turned up the aforementioned Blue Grosbeak, Bobolinks at two locations, up to 3 Grasshopper Sparrows on private land but not a single Eastern Meadowlark – even at a location where two were found at this time last year. Eastern Meadowlark is effectively gone from Morris County except sporadically in migration.

Two Swainson’s Thrushes were singing in this writer’s yard in Morris Township early this morning.

2014 is shaping up as a record year for Glossy Ibis sightings in Morris and Somerset Counties, and it is only May 31.

Glossy Ibis sightings so far in Morris County for 2014:
April 4-5, Birchwood Manor, Whippany
April 6, Lincoln Park
April 18, Denville
April 20-May 15, various sightings of 2 individuals at Melanie Lane, Hanover Township
May 17 – Great Swamp NWR

Somerset County:
May 9 – Hillsborough
May 10 and 30 – Negri-Nepote