mocosocoBirds

Migration was heavy in much of the United States overnight (woodcreeper.com, Tom Auer’s Blog). The density of birds depends on the location, generally favoring the typical migrant traps. For those who know the mocosocoBirds region, migrant traps are a mystery in Morris. Chimney Rock seems to be the most reliable migration spot in Somerset.

Swainson’s Thrush was widespread. Empidonax flycatchers are finally entering the area with a few reports of Willow and Least Flycatchers. Cedar Waxwings are being reported regularly after being absent for months in Somerset County and not present at all in 2013 in Morris County. White-crowned Sparrows made a push through the area today. Yellow-billed Cuckoos continue to be widely reported. Warbler species are varied.

Field Notes

Lord Stirling Park had Swainson’s Thrush, Willow Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush, Prothonotary Warbler and other warbler species (David Bernstein).

Chimney Rock had Ruby-crowned Kinglet in full song, Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwings, approximately 13 species of warblers. There was an increase in females (Jeff Ellerbusch). A Mourning Warbler was reported, as well (John J. Collins).

Least Flycatcher and Cedar Waxwings at Bee Meadow Park (Jamie Glydon).

Troy Meadows had Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Swainson’s Thrush, 11 species of warblers including Bay-breasted and Canada (J. Glydon).

Newly noted in Loantaka Brook Reservation this morning: 2 Eastern Wood Peewees, 1 Yellow-throated Vireo, and a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Among the warblers observed were Yellow, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Black-throated Green, Cape May, Yellow-rumped, Common Yellowthroat, and Blackburnian. Wood Thrushes are still low for this area, compared with recent years, and no Veery have appeared as yet (Leslie Webster).

Both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos were calling near the north gate (a.k.a. “closed bridge”) of Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR early this morning. A Yellow-billed called near the overlook in the afternoon. Since the weekend, Black-billed Cuckoos are especially conspicuous relative to most years. eBird data shows that sightings of both Cuckoo species in 2013 are double what they were by May 15, 2012 in Morris and Somerset Counties.

From Brian Clough:
Hey Jonathan – I have a few interesting migrants to report from Hutcheson Memorial Forest (Franklin Township). We’ve had a Black-billed Cuckoo kicking around the woods for two or three days now. In my rounds this morning, I had a singing Hooded Warbler and a late-ish Ruby-crowned Kinglet along with the usual suspects. The former is an unusual migrant for this property. I’m always on the lookout, as they bred here in past decades. There’s still a surprising number of White-throated Sparrows kicking around the woods as well. What a strange spring this has been. Cheers! – Brian Clough

From Terry Carruthers:
Good to see so many Bobolinks turning up locally. A male was back on territory this morning at the Harding Twp. Fields off James Rd.

From Ivan Kossack:
Hi Jonathan – Still not too exciting at Bee Meadow Park but a noticeable increase in migrants today. The front pond was patrolled by a mixed group of about 20-25 Barn, Tree and Rough-winged Swallows. I also heard Yellow (4-5), Parula (1), Blackpoll (1), Yellow-Rumped (3-5) Warblers and 1 Common Yellowthroat. Baltimore Oriole numbers have increased as well. I saw at least half a dozen of them.

From Ken Hart:
In the woods around my house/along Black River Road today in Long Valley, there’s been a variant-plumaged male Scarlet Tanager singing incessantly–– all day long. The bird is mostly red with orange-yellow patches on the neck and sides, with small, very faint gray-white patches on the wing secondaries.

A male Wilson’s Warbler was observed early this evening at the north gate of Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR (Jamie Glydon, Simon Lane).

Wilson’s Warbler, Great Swamp NWR, May 14, 2013 (photo by Simon Lane).

Forecast

Southwest winds tonight – there is no precipitation event to contribute to fallout conditions, but we will take anything we can get this spring.

Cerulean Warbler

A Cerulean Warbler was the highlight of the morning along Waterloo Valley Road, Mt. Olive Twp. The Cerulean was viewed and heard southwest of the intersection with Kinney Road. Remember that this road is not for the faint of heart or for low clearance vehicles. Much of this road may be the most potholed and least maintained road in Morris County if not the entire state. Let’s hope it remains that way. Other species along the road were Veery, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and lots of Gray Catbirds, American Redstarts, Yellow Warblers and Indigo Buntings. It is suspected that Common Ravens may nest  near the Saxton Falls Sand and Gravel Co. operation. Tilcon Pond had an alternate plumaged Common Loon. Only one Bank Swallow was found. There was no activity at the Bank Swallow nesting site.

Blue Grosbeak

From Susan Treesh:
For the field notes – Negri-Nepote had an adult Bald Eagle early this AM, also Blue Grosbeaks. Hannah Pond had 6 Least Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 1 Lesser Yellowlegs, and the 2 Mallard owners.

From Dave Emma:
Hi Jonathan – Male and Female Blue Grosbeak from the Negri-Nepote Grasslands this afternoon. I didn’t stay to see what else was there. I walked about 10 feet down the trail when the female came whipping over my head and landed on the fence. The male soon followed.
(Dave’s photos are below)

Field Notes

The Green Pond Road area in Rockaway Township had Louisiana and Northern Waterthrushes, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll, Black-throated Blue and Green Warblers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.

A possible Vesper Sparrow was briefly viewed (less than 5 secs.) at Florham Park Fields late this afternoon. The date is improbable for this species at this location but the streaky, longish-tailed sparrow did show a distinct eye-ring and seemed to have the correct face pattern before flying off. It was not a satisfying view and was not relocated. At least 2 Boblolinks were in the same vicinity with a nearby Spotted Sandpiper and resident Killdeer.

From Harvey Tomlinson:
Hey Jonathan – Nice morning at Lord Stirling Park.
There are definitely 2 territorial male Prothonotary Warblers along the river. They seem to use the old beaver dam as the territory “line”. Heard them both together. Jim, Patty, Vince and Roger were enjoying them also. I hope I got their names correct.
Up at the East Observation Tower there was:
Nashville, Magnolia, Redstart, Northern Waterthrush, Parula, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak joined the warbler group.
The group continued. I had chores.
Harvey

From Margo D. Beller, Morris Plains (Saturday, May 10):
This morning (Saturday), around 8:15 am, I was looking out the kitchen window at my house-shaped seed feeder when three Pine Siskins flew in. I thought that was pretty impressive – until they were chased off by three Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks (2 males, 1 female). My husband said ultimately we had five grosbeaks (3 males, 2 females). Most years we get them in the backyard anywhere between May 8 and May 11, and were happy to seem them considering this strange spring migration season (and surprised by the Siskins).

From Leslie Webster:
Newly noted in Loantaka Brook Reservation: 2 Swainson’s Thrushes and 1 Blue-winged Warbler. On a dramatic note, 2 Coopers Hawks were being chased by a Barred Owl.

Birds did not come easily this morning. The previous night’s frontal passage instilled hope for fallout conditions materializing by morning. While the fallout did not happen in the mocosocoBirds region, interesting species were available to those making a genuine effort. After all, it is May 11 and birds have to migrate. Black-billed Cuckoos, Northern Waterthrushes and Cape May Warbler are just some of the highlights today. Eastern Wood-Pewee made its first push into the region today.

Black-billed Cuckoo

A Black-billed Cuckoo was feeding in the parking lot of Glenhurst Meadows, Warren Township late in the morning. Lincoln’s Sparrow was near the Brookside Trail (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Black-billed Cuckoos were evident on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR. One was at the overlook (Simon Lane) and it, or another, called repeatedly near the north gate bridge for many to observe.

Northern Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush was widespread today:

• Whitehead Road, Morris Township (J. Klizas)
• Great Swamp NWR (S. Lane)
• Glenhurst Meadows (Jeff Ellerbusch)
• Troy Meadows (Jamie Glydon)

Cape May Warbler

A gorgeous adult male Cape May Warbler was at Troy Meadows today (J. Glydon). Along with the Cape May Warbler were Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Black-and-white Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Hooded Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Yellow, Blackpoll, Black-throated Green and Blue Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole and Great Egret. All of the above including the 14 species of warblers and typical species of the area were seen with Jamie standing in one location on Troy Meadows Road where the paved road gives way to dirt.

Field Notes

The Tourne in Boonton/Denville Twps. was modest this morning. Blackpoll, Chestnut-sided, Worm-eating and Black-throated Green Warblers – a singing Hermit Thrush in the mist at the top of the Tourne was a special highlight. Morris County’s first Eastern Wood-Pewee and Swainson’s Thrush of 2013 were observed. This is May 11th. Morris County’s first Swainson’s Thrush in 2012 was on May 1.

Jockey Hollow National Historical Park delivered the county’s only White-eyed Vireo of 2013, so far. This is not an easy species to find in Morris County. It was along the road near the Soldier’s Huts. Ovenbirds (numerous), Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Magnolia, Worm-eating, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue and Canada Warblers,  Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Orioles were active in the park

A very late Dark-eyed Junco was seen in Warren Township (J. Ellerbusch).

Chimney Rock, Martinsville had a Cedar Waxwing, which has been rare so far in 2013 (there are no reports for this species in Morris in eBird and a sparse handful in Somerset) – but not for long. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Easter Wood-Pewee and 11 species of warblers were tallied (J. Ellerbusch, S. Lane).

5 Semipalmated Plovers and 15 Least Sandpipers were at the section of Opie Road in Hillsborough Twp. this afternoon (J. Ellerbusch).

Wilson’s Warbler, Six Mile Run, NJ, May 10, 2013 (photo by Chris Duffek).

Good luck to all World Series of Birding participants tomorrow, May 11. The weather forecast is interesting.

Jacques Lane, Six Mile Run, Franklin Twp. had Wilson’s Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, et al (Chris Duffek).

15 warbler species were at Chimney Rock this morning including Nashville, Blackburnian and Magnolia Warblers. Black-throated Blue Warblers were numerous (Jeff Ellerbusch).

Prothonotary Warblers continue at Lord Stirling Park (Holly Ellerbusch).

The Green Pond Road vicinity in Rockaway Township was active with Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided and Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers and the nesters of the area.

Cozy Lake Road in Jefferson Twp. had Common Raven and typical species of the area.

Lincoln’s Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow were found on the Fenske Visitor Center side of the north gate this afternoon (Simon Lane).

Mitch Vanbeekum forun the following Solitary Sandpiper at Lake Musconetcong this afternoon.

Solitary Sandpiper, Lake Musconetcong, NJ, May 10, 2013 (photo by Mitch Vanbeekum).

From Jenifer Books: This morning I went birding at Scherman Hoffman Sanctuary in Bernardsville. Highlights included seeing several FOY Rose-breasted Grosbeaks (look for them near or on the feeders), my FOY Cedar Waxwing, a Wood Thrush, a FOY Black-throated Blue Warbler, and hearing a Common Yellowthroat. Also noted were several Flickers, a Gnatcatcher nest, House Wrens, Barn and Tree swallows, and Chimney Swifts among others.

In addition, I went over to the Great Swamp Visitors Center in the hopes of finding the Bobolinks reported there yesterday but unfortunately was unsuccessful.

15 Warbler Species at Troy Meadows

From Roger Johnson:
Troy Meadows between 10 and 11 a.m.
The following birds were on the road to the old trap shoot (Troy Meadows Rd.).
Blue-winged Warbler – 1
American Redstart – 4
Yellow Warbler – 6
Common Yellowthroat – 8
Black-and-white Warbler – 4
Blackpoll Warbler – 4
Northern Parula – 2
Magnolia Warbler – 1
Bay-breasted Warbler – 1
Ovenbird – 3
Chestnut-sided Warbler – 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler – 5
Black-throated Green Warbler – 1
Black-throated Blue Warbler – 1
Canada Warbler – 1
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – 3
Yellow-throated Vireo – 2
Red-eyed Vireo – 3
Wood Thrush – 1
Veery – 1
Swainson’s Thrush – 1
Great Crested Flycatcher – 1
White-throated Sparrow – 100s
Eastern Towhee – 6
Gray Catbird – 8
Northern Oriole – 5

Other Field Notes

A Nashville Warbler was along River Road, Chatham Township this morning (Simon Lane).

A possible Lawrence’s Warbler was seen this evening on Pleasant Plains Road, Great Swamp NWR (Simon Lane). American Redstarts, Northern Parulas and a Black-throated Blue Warbler were there as well.

Jim Gilbert had 3 Bobolinks today at the Great Swamp NWR near the Fenske Visitor Center. As of late afternoon, they were still in the grass near the bend of the road past the gated Pleasant Plains Rd. “Estates” section.

Chimney Rock was active in the afternoon with Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Blackburnian, Yellow, Black-throated Blue, Yellow-rumped and Prairie Warblers, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting and Baltimore Oriole (Jeff Ellerbusch).

From Grant Price:
Looking up. At my home in Warren Twp., awoke to the sound of a Wood Thrush. Rose-breasted Grosbeak calling outside now.

From Margo D. Beller, May 8:
Tuesday, around 3pm, I was returning from an errand and decided to go home via the Jockey Hollow tour road. I was driving even slower than the posted 20 mph speed limit, taking advantage of little traffic during a weekday. I wanted to hear what was out there.

Not far from where the road to Lewis Morris Park splits off from the tour road, I pulled over and heard 3 Towhees singing variants of the “drink your tea” song (Sibley calls the song “highly variable,” and he’s not kidding), plus a Wood Thrush and, finally, two Baltimore Orioles and an Ovenbird, both FOS for me this wacky spring migration season.