White-crowned Sparrow, Troy Meadows, NJ, Oct. 18, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Sparrows dominate the southwestern portion of Troy Meadows as of this morning from Smith Ditch on Troy Road to the Patriots Path parking lot on South Beverwyck Road. This is a relatively small sampling of the meadows. The number of sparrows throughout the entirety of Troy Meadows right now must be staggering.

Swamp Sparrow, Troy Meadows, NJ, Oct. 18, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

The gas line was recently mowed making for easier walking and observation of field-edge habitat. The following numbers are on the short end as there are many more birds in the area but only my two eyes to view them: 34 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 8 Eastern Towhees, 12 Field Sparrows, 20 Savannah Sparrows, 75 Song Sparrows, 1 Lincoln’s Sparrow, 50 Swamp Sparrows (w-a-y undercounted), 125 White-throated Sparrows and 2 White-crowned Sparrows. Red-shouldered Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Common Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler and Indigo Bunting are some of the other species present.

Field Sparrow, Troy Meadows, NJ, Oct. 18, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Wildlife Preserves, the owner of Troy Meadows, is undertaking a Phragmites eradication project at Troy Meadows. It is not known for how long this will be taking place or what effect it will have on the birds and birding the area. Further information regarding this will appear in this space.

Glenhurst Meadows had 4 Common Ravens, Nashville Warbler, 2 Eastern Meadowlarks, 3 Purple Finches and 4 Pine Siskins among other typical species (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Chuck Smith at Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, Oct. 12:
Swarms of Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers were everywhere. Lots of White-throated , Song, and Swamp Sparrows, a single White-crowned and a hand full of Savannah Sparrows, 3 Wilson’s Snipe and 20+ Wood Ducks. The highlight was a Peregrine Falcon and a Merlin perched on the back side of the island in the back lake. They would occasionally fly around harassing nearby crows and then return to their perch. Also 3 Coopers Hawks, an adult Bald Eagle and a few Red-tailed Hawks.

A pair of Blue-winged Teal are present during Oct. 13-17 at the back pond of Ann Van Middlesworth Park, Hillsborough Twp. (Vicki Schwartz).

Northwest winds tonight should help move the remaining songbirds in the migration pipeline into our area.

Northwest winds from 15-20 MPH during the day on Sunday could make for an interesting raptor day, as well.

eBird checklists and other data can be viewed at the following links:
Morris
Somerset