Category Archives: Somerset County

Common Gallinules – July 16, 2015

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

Common Gallinules at Deerhaven Lake Common Gallinules have been observed annually at Deerhaven Lake in Rockaway Township since 2013: one adult in June of 2013; one adult in June of 2014. The species was missed on a visit in June 2015. Today, not … Continue reading →

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Summer Bird Notes, Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

(Click on the photo for a larger image.) Mid-July is a mix of summer breeding and migratory anticipation in the Morris Highlands and elsewhere. Greeting this observer at Lake Denmark early yesterday morning were 400 Common Grackles in one large, loose group. … Continue reading →

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Nests and Bird Notes, July 10, 2015

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

Great Egret in the Morris Highlands Great Egrets are regular summer visitors in Morris County but mostly in the south and eastern sections of the county.  This is a relatively recent phenomena according to this observer as memory recalls that Great Egrets were … Continue reading →

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Great Swamp Butterfly Count, etc., July 7, 2015

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

The annual Great Swamp Area Butterfly Count was held this past Sunday, July 5, 2015.  43 species and 1,756 individuals were tallied by the many particiapnts. As expected, Great Spangled Fritillary led the count with 270. Other species observed include: … Continue reading →

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Butterflies and random field notes, July 4, 2015

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

(Click on the photo for a larger image.) Butterflies are stealing the local nature news lately. An abundance of Great Spangled Fritillaries, Hairstreak spp. and other species are covering appropriate habitats during the past few weeks. Compton Tortoiseshells, Coral Hairstreaks … Continue reading →

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Gypsy Moths; Field Notes – July 2, 2015

Posted on July 2, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

“We’re not anticipating any great swaths of defoliation,” said Douglas Fisher, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture (Bugs regroup for attack on North Jersey trees – NorthJersey.com, May 24, 2015). An interesting statement if you frequent the highlands of … Continue reading →

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Monday Bird Notes, etc. – June 29, 2015

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

(Click on the photo for a larger image.) Cliff Swallows have vacated former nesting sites on two I-287 bridges in Franklin Township. The only known remaining colony in Somerset County is on the Queens Bridge in South Bound Brook (Jeff … Continue reading →

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Rockaway River WMA, Wednesday Bird Notes – June 24, 2015

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

Purple Martins of the Great Swamp (Click on the photo for a larger image.) The successful colony of Purple Martins at the headquarters of the Great Swamp NWR are busy tending to their young. This adds to the local population of … Continue reading →

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Great Blue Herons, Monday Bird Notes – June 22, 2015

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

Feeding time at the heronry (Click on the photo for a larger image.) The heronry at Deerhaven Lake. is productive again this year. 44 Great Blue Herons, juveniles included, were counted this morning. 2015 marks the third consecutive year that … Continue reading →

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Weekend Bird Notes, Summer Solstice – June 21, 2015

Posted on June 21, 2015 by Jonathan Klizas

Summer Solstice The summer solstice occurred today at 12:38 EDT. Can fall migration be far behind? The spring migration of 2015 was lackluster. Here is a wish for a positively eventful summer. Boonton Reservoir There were no storm-related birds at … Continue reading →

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