Common Loons and Dunlin at Boonton Reservoir

Common Loons, Boonton Reservoir, NJ, Sep. 25, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Much needed rain visited Morris and Somerset Counties through the night into the morning. Boonton Reservoir was generally quiet. Even the usual 100 or so Ring-billed Gulls were absent.

Highlight number one of the afternoon was the first Common Loons of the autumn season in Morris and Somerset Counties, five to be exact. One loon sang the tremolo call at one point.

Shorebird numbers were scant with 1 Killdeer, 2 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Least Sandpipers and 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Highlight number two is the only Dunlin reported so far in 2014 from Morris and Somerset Counties. The distant, heavily cropped ID photo is below.

Dunlin, Boonton Reservoir, NJ, Sep. 25, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)