Black Tern at Lincoln Park

Black Tern, Lincoln Park Gravel Pits, NJ, Sept. 11, 2016 (documentation photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Roger Johnson found a Black Tern this morning at the main lake of the Lincoln Park Gravel Pits continuing a week of Morris County rarities from the Charadriiformes order (Stilt Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper and now a Black Tern). The tern was present for the entire morning and into the afternoon, constantly moving, dipping and diving. This is the seventh known record of this species in Morris County.

View the map with this link: Lincoln Park Gravel Pits. The Black Tern was south of the right angle formed by the berm that separates the Lincoln Park Community Lake from the main lake at The Pits.

Entering The Pits is best accomplished from the vague path diagonally opposite Kamm Street at the north end (DO NOT PARK at the Knights of Columbus). This eventually leads to the berm. Along the way you will pass a small pond on the left where a Common Gallinule was found yesterday, but not relocated today. This is the only legitimate entry into The Pits. The swimming lake area on Ryerson Rd. may work as well, but you did not read that here. Otherwise, you are on your own.

One good tern deserves another. Simon Lane reports a flyover Caspian Tern this morning at the overlook on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR.

At least 4 Buff-breasted Sandpipers continue at Selody Sod Farm today (Chris Thomas).

View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region via eBird’s Region Explorer. Use the following links:

• Morris County
• Somerset County

The eBird Hotspot Primer is here and can also be accessed via the Hotspot menu item on the mocosocoBirds.com website.

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