Sandhill Crane, Franklin Twp., NJ, Jan. 8, 2015 (photo by Jim Mulvey)
(Click on the photo for a larger image.)
The Sandhill Cranes of Franklin Township continue their observational reliability on a daily basis. They were practically drive-up birds today – a good thing for birders considering the brutally cold temperatures. Many observers reported 8 Sandhill Cranes at Randolph Road opposite Apgar Rd. today. If not found on Randolph Road, the cranes are visiting the cornfields southeast of the intersection of nearby Mettlers and Weston Roads.
Sandhill Cranes, Franklin Twp., NJ, Jan. 8, 2015 (photo by Jim Mulvey)
The rare geese of Somerset County (Barnacle, Greater White-fronted and Cackling) lacked any reports today, perhaps because the frigid temperatures kept anyone from looking.
The current arctic air mass is freezing most of the bodies of water in Morris and Somerset counties. What little open water remains will host whatever waterfowl continue in the area.
If Mallards turn you on, 300 were at Bernardsville Quarry this afternoon and another 259 were on the Raritan River, viewed from the D&R Canal Towpath (Jeff Ellerbusch).
Otherwise, Bernardsville Quarry had 2 Wood Ducks, 2 American Wigeon, 24 American Black Ducks, 13 Ring-necked Ducks and 18 Hooded Mergansers.
The D&R Canal Towpath had 18 Common Goldeneye, 2 Northern Pintail, 6 Ring-necked Ducks, 7 Bufflehead, 2 Hooded and 19 Common Mergansers and 2 Pied-billed Grebes.
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