Sandhill Cranes, Franklin Twp., NJ, Nov. 11, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

The two Sandhill Cranes of Franklin Township continue in the Randolph Road, Franklin Township corn stubble. At 3:15 this afternoon, they were opposite the building at 100 Randolph Road. Hopefully, enough sustenance is in these fields to keep the cranes in the area for an extended stay, as they have most of the past seven winters (this is the eighth).

Curiosity begets the question: where are the others?

In previous years as many as five or more have spent the autumn/winter season in Franklin Township. Maybe the current number of cranes is meaningless, but with the rapid encroachment of development in the immediate vicinity of Randolph Road, how long will the cranes find the area hospitable.

Sandhill Cranes, Franklin Twp., NJ, Nov. 11, 2014 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

The Cackling Goose of the Lord Stirling equestrian fields at the west end of Lord Stirling Road in Bernards Township, was present as of yesterday afternoon, November 10. It was with hundreds of Canada Geese. If not found at the field, check the ponds of the nearby Somerset County Environmental Education Center (Lord Stirling Park).

10 flyover Horned Larks, a Common Loon and 38 Bufflehead were at Budd Lake this morning (David Bernstein).

From Liz Mershon:
“Holly H. & I were at Glenhurst Meadows late this afternoon. We had Am. Tree Sparrows and Winter Wrens. At the community garden parking lot, a flock of 35+ American Pipits flew from field on south side of road to north side multiple times.”