The Summer Solstice occurs on Saturday, June 21 at 6:51 a.m. EDT (10:51 UTC).

Least Bittern at Troy Meadows

Troy Meadows, NJ, June 20, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

The Susquehanna-Roseland Project rolled through northwest Morris County in 2013. Along with the 500 kilovolt transmission line upgrade, Troy Meadows also had it’s dilapidated wooden walkway replaced as a result of the project. People who birded Troy Meadows years ago, may have memories of the old walkway, and like myself, may have fallen through a rotten plank or two along the way.

The new boardwalk is constructed of recycled plastic. It is of a latticed design which allows drainage. It also allows the Phragmites to overwhelm the walkway as they can easily poke their stems through the grids of the surface as can be seen in the photo above. The walkway may appear to end at the wall of Phragmites but actually continues on – if you dare.

Swamp Sparrow, Troy Meadows, NJ, June 20, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas)

Early this morning, the current writer dared, trudging through the dew-covered vegetation and was rewarded with a fly-by Least Bittern. Elsewhere in Troy Meadows, a Pine Warbler was a surprise, singing and moving from one mature White Pine to another in the overgrown area known as the old homestead. Although they breed in Rockaway Township, this is not a typical species for the Parsippany area. Here is a recording: Pine Warbler, Troy Meadows, NJ, June 20, 2014

While walking at the edge of the marsh at the south end of Troy Meadows, a Wild Turkey hen and 5 poults were encountered.

Wild Turkey poult, Troy Meadows, NJ, June 20, 2014 (photo by J. Klizas )

From Mike Newlon:
This afternoon a pair of Bobolinks was at the Wagner Farm Parking lot on Mountain Ave in Warren Twp [Editor’s note. This is the property adjacent to Glenhurst Meadows]. The male spent much time singing from the fences of the two garden enclosures.

Bobolink, Warren Twp., NJ, June 20, 2014 (photo by Mike Newlon)

From Roger Johnson:
Went up to Snake Hill Rd., Rockaway Twp. – Lake Denmark Rd. is closed.
1 Worm-eating Warbler
1 Cerulean Warbler
8 American Redstarts
1 Louisiana Waterthrush
2 Acadian Flycatchers
Other expected species – the forest was rather quiet.

1 Great Egret was flying into Boonton Reservoir