mocosocoBirds

Barn Swallow in Somerset County

The first Barn Swallow of 2013 in the mocosocoBirds regon was reported from the Delaware and Raritan Towpath today (Jeff Ellerbusch). Bonaparte’s Gulls are reported in Middlesex County just south of Somerset County so expect a report of them in Franklin Township soon.

Field Notes

A male and female Blue-winged Teal continue this evening at Kitchell Lake at Loantaka Brook Reservation.

From Leslie Webster:
Tree Swallows have made it to Kitchell Pond in Loantaka Brook Reservation! Wood Ducks are checking out tree cavities in the woods, where the Brown-headed Cowbirds are also establishing themselves. At Kitchell Pond, there were no Ring-billed Gulls for the first time since the winter, but I spotted the two Blue-winged Teal, along with a Gadwall pair, 7 Green-winged Teal, and a female Hooded Merganser. Also in a “BC Chickadee” confirmation, discovered it was a Golden-Crowned Kinglet. Ring-necked Ducks continue in the farm pond across Loantaka from the LBR parking lot.

From Larry Baum:
Over the last couple of days I’ve seen a Swamp Sparrow twice (have numerous, close photos) and heard a Great Horned Owl once, both near the Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area of Rockaway Township.

Over the same period I also saw a Fox Sparrow at Mt. Hope Pond and heard a Common Raven calling from the Green Pond cliffs just before Green Pond Road hits Route 23 as well as saw a Great Blue Heron in the swamp below.

Tremendous numbers of Ring-necked Ducks were seen on many local ponds with the highest numbers at the Lake Denmark side pond and the Wildcat Ridge Beaver Pond. (For whatever reason, as fairly typical, none at Splitrock Reservoir or the Jacobs Road Beaver Pond.) Smaller numbers of Buffleheads, Double-crested Cormorants (18 at Mt. Hope Pond), Hooded and Common Mergansers and a single Gadwall were found in various ponds in the region.

Only a single White-throated Sparrow so far instead of the usual many.

Pacific Loon at Boonton Reservoir

The adult Pacific Loon of Boonton Reservoir is more cooperative of late, spending a good deal of time in the north end of the reservoir. It was seen both morning and afternoon today. There were two Common Loons, one in alternate plumage, and are at least four in the reservoir. All are a distant look but identifiable from the footbridge . The heronry on the island has a growing number of Double-crested Cormorants. 65 were counted this afternoon and that does not take into account the many that are out feeding and flying around.

Other Field Notes

From Ken Hart:
At least two Eastern Meadowlarks were present today, at dusk, in the field at the corner of Lamington and Black River Roads.

Tom Smith eBirded 2 Blue-winged Teal at Loantaka Brook Reservation. Several Blue-winged Teal continue at the Friends Blind in the Great Swamp NWR

From Jennifer Books:
This afternoon my sister saw the two Pine Siskins in our yard again and she noted that one appeared to be trying to feed the other. Cannot help but wonder if this is a pair and if they will possibly stick around and maybe even nest here.

Pacific Loon at Boonton Reservoir

The adult Pacific Loon (PALO) of Boonton Reservoir was viewed today in both the morning (Mike Wolfe) and the afternoon (Simon Lane). 4-5 Common Loons were seen as well. Assuming it is the same one all along, the Booonton PALO was found on March 17, the third of the Pacific Loon Trio of Morris County and is the only one remaining. It has been in the area the longest: 13 days. It is also the most elusive of the trio.

The juvenile PALO of Morris Plains, possibly the most photographed Pacific Loon in digital history, was found on March 9 and was last seen on March 20 a total of 12 days.

The Lake Parsippany PALO was positively identified on March 16 but actually found on March 15. March 23 was the date of its last appearance for a total of 9 days.

Blue-winged Teal in Great Swamp NWR

An impressive 7 male and 3 female Blue-winged Teal were seen at the Friends Blind at the Great Swamp NWR this afternoon (Simon Lane). Also present were various numbers of Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, American Black Duck, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead and Hooded Merganser. 5 of the Blue-winged Teal and 1 Green-winged Teal are in the following photo by Simon Lane.

Other Field Notes

250 Ring-necked Ducks were in the various ponds of Duke Farms in Hillsborough Township (Jeff Ellerbusch).

6 Northern Shovelers continue at Melanie Lane Wetlands (Jamie Glydon). Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, American Black Ducks and Wilson’s Snipe have also been present this week.