Red-headed Woodpecker, Troy Meadows, Morris Co., NJ, Sep. 22, 2018 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
(Click on the photo for a larger image.)
At least six Red-headed Woodpeckers are in the snag forest of Troy Meadows. This is accessed via the relatively new green trail north of Troy Brook. A deer exclosure, still under construction, restricts access to the snags but the woodpeckers are viewable if one walks close to the fence.
As of today, Flickers, Red-bellied, Red-headed, Hairy, and Downy Woodpeckers were all utilizing the numerous dead trees. This is a traditional wintering location for numerous Red-headed Woodpeckers. 2018-19 may bring a healthy number of Red-headed Woodpeckers to Troy Meadows. We are due for one of the cyclical irruptions of Red-headed Woodpeckers in Morris County.
Red-headed Woodpecker, Troy Meadows, Morris Co., NJ, Sep. 22, 2018 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
1,129 Broad-winged Hawks were tallied today at the Wildcat Ridge Hawkwatch in Rockaway Township. Read the report here. Early reports from around the north New Jersey area echo similar results.
Connecticut Warbler, Sasso Tract, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Sep. 16, 2018 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
Connecticut Warblers are reported from three locations in Morris and Somerset Counties so far this month.
- Great Swamp NWR, 7 Sept. (D. Brill)
- Sasso Tract, Rockaway Twp., 16 Sept. (J. Klizas)
- Chimney Rock, Martinsville, NJ, 19 Sept. (J. Ellerbusch, R. Auster)
Connecticut Warbler, Sasso Tract, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Sep. 16, 2018 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)
Dark-eyed Junco, Chimney Rock, NJ, Sep. 16, 2018 (photo by Jeff Ellerbusch)
New Jersey’s first Dark-eyed Junco of the season was found on the early date of Sept. 16 at Chimney Rock (J. Ellerbusch). This was repeated at The Rock on Sept. 19. Along with a Garret Mountain report from that same date, these remain the only reports of Dark-eyed Junco in the entire state of New Jersey so far this fall migration season.
Red-breasted Nuthatches and Purple Finches are widely reported recently. The forecast is for a winter finch irruption this year. Read Ron Pittaway’s annual Winter Finch Forecast here.
The Autumnal Equinox occurs at 9:54 PM eastern time, September 22, 2018.
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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There are several gates to access the inside of the deer exclosures at Wildlife Preserves’ sanctuary at Troy Meadows. Ambulatory access Is not restricted.