Sandhill Cranes in Franklin Township
This afternoon, 2 Sandhill Cranes were in the corn stubble north of the Manville Causeway. There were possibly more cranes but viewing was difficult. The Manville Causeway (Wilhousky St. if coming from Millstone or Manville) is currently a detour route for Main Street in Millstone. There were a LOT of cars on the road and barely a shoulder to stop on.
This is the only report of the Franklin Twp. Sandhill Cranes in the month of February, 2015 according to the eBird database and the first report since approximately January 17. The cranes remain in the area despite the cold temperatures and snow.
Ducks on the Raritan River, Franklin Township
Common Goldeneye on the Raritan River, Franklin Twp., NJ, Feb. 25, 2015
Yesterday’s mocosocoBirds post (here) described the waterfowl in the Raritan River near Duke Island Park. This afternoon, a walk down the icy and snow covered Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath from Demott Lane south for .8 of a mile produced the following waterfowl:
1 American Wigeon, 36 Ring-necked Ducks, 1 Lesser Scaup hen, 8 Bufflehead, 30 Common Goldeneye, 4 Hooded Mergansers, 12 Common Mergansers along with numerous Mallards, a few American Black Ducks and Canada Geese.
Despite the ice in the above photo, this stretch of the Raritan River from Weston Canal Road and continuing along Easton Avenue is completely open. A walk north from Demott Lane would add to the waterfowl totals as would continuing further south on the towpath. Landing Lane Bridge to the south is in Middlesex County as the county borders take a funny bend and turn in that area.
Incidentally, yesterday’s ducks continue today at Duke Island Park as the 2 Greater Scaup, 2 Redheads, Red-breasted Merganser, et al, were reported by various people today.
The White-crowned Sparrow in the following photo, assuming it is the same individual, has spent the entire winter on a short stretch of Opie Road, Branchburg Twp.
White-crowned Sparrow, Branchburg Twp., NJ, Feb. 25, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
eBird Checklists for the mocosocoBirds region may be viewed via
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The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.
@mocosocoBirds at Twitter
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