Category Archives: Morris County

Snowbound birders; diversions, Feb. 5, 2014

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

When the Eastern Bluebird, above, was photographed 10 days ago, winter was hard but bearable. The word bearable does not apply anymore. Our road is not plowed as of 11:00 a.m. after the latest wintry weather event. Nothing unusual there … Continue reading →

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Emberizid Trends and a Plea to eBird Users, Feb. 3, 2014

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

This post addresses the following topics: Emberizid (sparrow family) trends in the month of January for the past five years using eBird data. Making eBird checklist submissions more meaningful.  Links to understanding the eBird review and data quality process. Do … Continue reading →

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2014 Southwest Morris Winter Bird Count: Final Results

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

The 30th annual Southwest Morris Winter Bird Count took place on January 19, 2014. This winter survey, founded, compiled and organized by Dave Harrison, functions in a similar way to Christmas Bird Counts but is not reported to the National … Continue reading →

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Sandhill Cranes, Rusty Blackbirds, Jan. 31, 2014

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

As January draws to a close, there was a bit of relief this afternoon from the frigid winter of 2014 as the temperature climbed above freezing, reaching the high 30s Fahrenheit. The current forecast for Sunday has 50 degrees as … Continue reading →

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Rough-legged Hawk, Field Notes, Jan. 30, 2014

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

After not being reported since Jan. 25-26, a dark-morph Rough-legged Hawk was photographed by Mitch Van Beekum at 12:30 p.m. today as it soared over the Bluebird parking lot on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR. ————— From Alan Boyd … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Field Notes, Jan. 29, 2014

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

Birding is slow in the mocosocoBirds region so far this week. Most bodies of water are frozen, there is a persistent snow cover and it is cold. The current forecast for the coming weekend is for the Fahrenheit teperature to … Continue reading →

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Trumpeter Swans in Morris and Somerset Counties, Jan. 27, 2014

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

If one travels among the many lakes of Morris County and the few in Somerset County, there is the slim possibility of seeing a Trumpeter Swan (TRUS). Do not get excited. It has been my onerous duty on many occasions … Continue reading →

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Sunday Field Notes – Puddle Ducks, Jan. 26, 2014

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

Puddle Ducks There are a few small patches of open water in frozen Morris County. The pond at Speedwell Village, across Speedwell Avenue from Speedwell Lake (which is actually a dammed portion of the Whippany River), has a fenced in … Continue reading →

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Rough-legged Hawks, Horned Larks, Jan. 25, 2014

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

2 Rough-legged Hawks (RLHA) spent time near the overlook on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR late this morning. A light-morphed individual was viewed by many. Ted Lurker reports a dark-morphed RLHA earlier in the same area, presumably the same … Continue reading →

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Field Notes, a Tribute, Odds and Ends, Fri., Jan. 24, 2014

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Jonathan Klizas

(Click on the photo for a larger image). An afternoon drive on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR did not produce the Rough-legged Hawk found yesterday. ——————————- At least two Red-headed Woodpeckers continue at Colonial Park in Franklin Township. ——————————- … Continue reading →

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