Orange-crowned Warblers

Orange-crowned Warbler, Glenhurst Meadows, NJ, Oct. 28, 2014 (photo by Joe Pescatore)

Joe Pescatore found not one, but two (and possible three), Orange-crowned Warblers today at Glenhurst Meadows. From Joe: “(They were) feeding in and among the weeds along main trail past gazebo.”

This species has not been found at Glenhurst since 2011 according to the eBird database. It was frequently reported from October into November during 2008, 2010-11.

Orange-crowned Warbler, Glenhurst Meadows, NJ, Oct. 28, 2014 (photo by Joe Pescatore)

Orange-crowned Warbler, Glenhurst Meadows, NJ, Oct. 28, 2014 (photo by Joe Pescatore)

Vesper Sparrow, Cackling Goose at Great Swamp NWR

From Pete Bacinski:
“Went to the Great Swamp NWR at lunch time and was treated to a Vesper Sparrow, as well as White-crowned, Field, Song, White-throated and Swamp along Pleasant Plains Road where I also had a murder of 60+ American Crows on the road.

The pond by the loop near the closed bridge on Pleasant Plains Road had a drake Hooded Merganser and as I departed down White Bridge Road right before you reach Maple in the field on the right, I had a Cackling Goose in the flock of a 100+ Canada Geese.”

Ruddy Duckville

One of 500+ Ruddy Ducks at Mt. Hope Lake, NJ, Oct. 27, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Ruddy Duck numbers continue to grow at Mt. Hope Lake, Rockaway Twp. Oct. 27 saw 514 Ruddy Ducks scattered over the calm lake. 900 on Oct. 27, 2013 and 650 on Nov. 24, 2012 are the two recent yearly high counts of Ruddy Ducks at Mt. Hope and also the high counts in Morris County.

2 adult Bald Eagles were perched near the nest. Also at the lake were 55 Mute Swans, 7 Northern Shovelers, 2 Green-winged Teal, 7 Ring-necked Ducks, 4 Bufflehead, 2 Pied-billed Grebes, 13 Double-crested Cormorants and 12 American Coot.