Caspian Tern at Lake Musconetcong
Caspian Tern, Lake Musconetcong, NJ, April 11, 2015 (photo by Alan Boyd)
(Click on the photo for a larger image)
The first tern of 2015 in the mocosocoBirds region was found today by Mike Ostrow: a Caspian Tern in the southern section of Lake Musconetcong. It was present late this afternoon as other birders viewed it from Koclas Drive. Other species of interest at the lake today are 2 Red-necked Grebes and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.
Red-necked Grebes and Loons at Boonton Reservoir
Red-necked Grebes, Boonton Reservoir, Apr. 11, 2015 (distant photo by Jonathan Klizas)
2 Red-necked Grebes continue at Boonton Reservoir. They are often viewed from the north end of the reservoir giving that classic distant Boonton look. 22 Common Loons continue as well as 4 or 5 Horned Grebes. A group of 4 Bonaparte’s Gulls was flying back and forth at the north end this morning. Pine Siskins were in the trees by the walkway. These Siskins are probably the same as those wintering in the neighboring cemetery. A Common Raven flew over the walkway.
Common Raven, Boonton Reservoir, Apr. 11, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
Two Bald Eagles are regularly seen at the top of the island. One is an adult type; the other is an immature seen in the photo below. The 125+ Double-crested Cormorants and approximately 40 Great Blue Herons nesting on the island do not seem disturbed by the eagles’ presence.
Bald Eagle, Boonton Reservoir, Apr. 11, 2015 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
An interesting development on the island of the reservoir the past two years is the consistent sighting of Great Egrets. 8 Great Egrets were scattered near the ground in the trees at the base of the island this morning.
175 Common Mergansers remain. Seeing them breast-stroke in unison rather than fly when fleeing an area is a sight to enjoy.
2 Red-throated Loons and another group of 7 Bonaparte’s Gulls were seen after dawn at the north end of the reservoir (Simon Lane). The Red-throated Loons were not seen the remainder of the day.
Other field notes
Purple Martins have finally arrived at Spring Brook Country Club, Morris Twp. 6 were flying over the clubhouse and main pond this morning.
A Broad-winged Hawk is reported from high over the clubhouse this afternoon (David Bernstein).
11 Blue-winged Teal were at the Wildlife Observation Center of the Great Swamp NWR this morning (John Beetham).
Zero Blue-winged Teal were at Fish Tract in Florham Park today. 6 were there on Thursday, Apr. 9.
2 Blue-winged Teal continue at Melanie Lane Wetlands.
There are many reports this time of year, too many to include in a daily newsletter. For further details and to see what people are seeing in the mocosocoBirds region, see local eBirdChecklists viewed via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:
The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.
@mocosocoBirds at Twitter is another communications stream. Instant field reports and links of interest are tweeted throughout the day. The latest tweets appear on the sidebar of this page. One can follow mocosocoBirds at Twitter or link to @mocosocoBirds.
Finis
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