The past few days have reports of flyover Canada Geese and Snow Geese in the Morris and Somerset County areas. The following dark-morph (“Blue”) Snow Goose was photographed today by Chuck Hantis at Loantaka Brook Reservation.
Snow Goose, Loantaka Brook Reservation, Morris Co., NJ, Dec. 14, 2017 (photo by Chuck Hantis)
(Click on the photo for a larger image.)
Snow Goose, Loantaka Brook Reservation, Morris Co., NJ, Dec. 14, 2017 (photo by Chuck Hantis)
This handsome Northern Pintail is usually present at Loantaka this month. This photo is also by Chuck Hantis.
Northern Pintail, Loantaka Brook Reservation, Morris Co., NJ, Dec. 14, 2017 (photo by Chuck Hantis)
The Northern Shrike at the Great Swamp NWR is not reported since December 3 but certainly could still be in the area.
Mike Newlon took these images of the Northern Shrike on November 29.
Northern Shrike, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Nov. 29, 2017 (photo by Mike Newlon)
Northern Shrike, Great Swamp NWR, NJ, Nov. 29, 2017 (photo by Mike Newlon)
Speaking of geese, a Greater White-fronted Goose has been visiting different locations in Somerset County recently. One was seen by Julie Stroffolino on November 29 at an eBird hotspot known as Bedminster Twp. Hike and Bike Pond.
Allegedly the same goose visited nearby Ravine Lake, Far Hills on December 11-12 (Frank Durso).
Morris and Somerset County Christmas Bird Counts
The Great Swamp and Watchung Ridges Christmas Bird Count is this Saturday, December 16.
Contact information: Simon Lane, greatswampCBC at gmail dot com
The Boonton CBC is on Saturday, December 23, 2017. All are welcome to participate.
Contact Jonathan Klizas: boontoncbc at gmail dot com
The Somerset County CBC is being held on Saturday, December 30.
Contact John Kee: jjkee at optimum dot net
View local eBird checklists in the mocosocoBirds region 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.
The mocosocoBirds Facebook page is located here and also posts timely information not found on the mocosocoBirds web site.
@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.
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