Chimney Swifts of Raritan

From Pete Bacinski:
“Sandra Escala and I have been monitoring an old industrial chimney on Orlando Drive in Raritan about a mile west of Route 206. Last night we estimated about 1,000 Chimney Swifts there at dusk entering the chimney. There is ample parking there. Two years ago, I estimated 5,000 birds. The colony grows as more birds join it as they move south.”

[Editor’s note: the building is near the bridge over River Road and is thought to be property of Duke Farms. Pete will have an article regarding Chimney Swifts and this location in NJ.com in the next few days].

And then there were six…

Little Blue Herons, Melanie Lane, Hanover Twp., NJ, Aug. 15, 2014 (photo by Chuck Hantis)

They gather on the snag in the waning light. 6 Little Blue Herons, the high count so far, were seen and photographed at Melanie Lane Wetlands by Chuck Hantis after 6 p.m. this evening. The regular pair of Great Egrets continue as well. The Snowy Egret of a few days ago has not been seen since.

Whip-poor-will in Great Swamp NWR

From Terry Carruthers:
“An Eastern Whip-poor-will just passed east along Whitebridge Rd, near the old cement plant. It was 8:30 pm and the bird was calling actively. A Barred Owl was also calling nearby.”

American Redstart, Griggstown Grasslands, NJ, Aug. 15, 2015 (photo by Chris Duffek)