White Ibis, Speedwell Lake, Morristown, NJ, Oct. 23, 2017 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

Look who is back. A White Ibis is actively feeding at Speedwell Lake in Morristown. Speedwell Lake is not regularly visited by birders so the Ibis may have been at the lake all along unbeknownst to the birding public. Nick Russo says he did not see it during a few recent visits.

It is anyone’s guess where this juvenile White Ibis has been frequenting the past six weeks. Of course, that is if one alleges this White Ibis is the same one found by Chuck Hantis and seen by others at Troy Meadows on September 7, 2017 and by Nick Russo at the same Speedwell Lake two days later on September 9.

Speedwell Lake is approximately seven miles in a straight line from the location the White Ibis was seen along Troy Brook on Sept. 7. White Ibis remains a New Jersey Review Species. The NJ Bird Record Committee may consider this to be one and the same White Ibis.

Along with the White Ibis, Speedwell Lake in Morristown has had its modest share of interesting birds over the years: Cackling Goose on a few occasions, Little Blue Heron, Great Egrets can usually be found here into the autumn. Green and Great Blue Herons are regulars during the summer. Ducks are plentiful when the water remains open during the winter months. Various swallow species and Chimney Swifts frequent the lake. Unfortunately, the invasive Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) takes over the lake during the summer.

Speedwell Lake is actually a dammed section of the Whippany River, across Speedwell Avenue from Speedwell Village, Alfred Vail’s historic site. It is a popular park. An asphalt path runs alongside the lake and is part of Morris County’s Patriots Path system.

White Ibis, Speedwell Lake, Morristown, NJ, Oct. 23, 2017 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

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