Pink-footed Goose not relocated; Sunday field notes, Feb. 24, 2013

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Two resolute birders searched nearby fields, corporate parks, cemeteries and anything that looked like suitable habitat but did not relocate Morris County’s first Pink-footed Goose. Jeff Glassberg found and photographed the Pink-footed Goose this morning at Florham Park Fields. Unfortunately, the geese flock dispersed after a disturbance from a non-birder’s vehicle entering the field.

Tagged Ring-billed Gull, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Feb. 24, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

Tagged Ring-billed Gull, Rockaway Twp., NJ, Feb. 24, 2013 (photo by Jonathan Klizas)

(Click on the photo for a larger image.)

The tagged Ring-billed Gull pictured above was found on frozen Mt. Hope Pond (not to be confused with Mt. Hope Lake which is down the road and east of Mt. Hope Pond). www.reportband.gov, Patuxent’s Bird Banding Laboratory reporting web site, was inaccessible all day. Internet sleuthing revealed the tag to be from a study done in Massachusettes where gulls were tagged at certain reservoirs to monitor the gull’s winter wanderings. Based on the color scheme, the gull was probably tagged at Wachusett Reservoir, approximately 45 miles west of Boston. The leg bands were unreadable. An email description and photograph was sent to the appropriate contacts.
—————
The surface of Mt. Hope Lake in Rockaway Township is completely frozen. The Bald Eagles’ absence may signify that they have abandoned the nest at Mt. Hope Lake. One forlorn Mute Swan was on the frozen lake.
—————
Male Red-winged Blackbirds are vocal and on territory in wetlands along Green Pond Road in Rockaway and Jefferson Townships. A Common Raven’s croak from Green Pond Mountain echoed through Craigmeur. A lone Great Blue Heron was in the vicinity of the Deerhaven Lake heronry in the Newark Watershed at the northern end of Green Pond Road. Some of the heron nests survived last year’s superstorm. A few Red-breasted Nuthatches remain at Jonathan’s Woods in Denville Township.
—————
As Ivan Kossack and others found out, yesterday’s Horned Grebes were gone today but the 6 Redheads returned to Lake Parsippany after being absent Saturday. Below is a backlit morning photo of the male contingent of the Redheads.

Redheads at Lake Parsippany, NJ, Feb. 24, 2013 (backlit photo by Jonathan Kllizas)

Redheads at Lake Parsippany, NJ, Feb. 24, 2013 (backlit photo by Jonathan Kllizas)

—————
From Jennifer Books:
I saw 2 Pine Siskins at my bird feeder in Basking Ridge again this morning. I would not be surprised if these are the same birds I have been seeing for about a week now. They like to mix with the Goldfinch flock that also frequents my feeders.

I also checked out the Friend’s blind in the Great Swamp again hoping to find some interesting birds like last time. However, things have since quieted down. There were many Canada Geese and Mallards, but otherwise the only other species I saw in terms of ducks were 5 male Pintails and one female. I also got some nice views of 2 male Bluebirds hanging out in the reeds near the blind. Perhaps they are setting up a territory there?

Anyway, good luck in locating the Pink-footed Goose! I am still hoping I will have a chance to see one one day soon. It would be a life bird for me!
—————
From Rosemarie Widmer:
I had 3 pair of Redheads at Lake Parsippany today 2/24/13 at approx. 11:30 am.

At Lake Hopatcong the 6 Tundra Swans (2 ad. 4 1st yr) were north of the Brady St. bridge, at approx. 12:30-1pm. They were first sleeping then woke and stretched and finally flew off to the north.

Posted in Morris County, Somerset County | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pink-footed Goose in Morris County, Feb. 24, 2013

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

Jeff Glassberg found Morris County’s first Pink-footed Goose this morning at the Florham Park Fields on Columbia Turnpike. The goose flock it was with was flushed by a vehicle and the geese scattered. I am currently trying to relocate it and am writing this from an iPhone.

Here is Jeff’s photo:

Pink-footed Goose, Florham Park, NJ, Feb. 24, 2013. First Morris County record. Found and photographed by Jeff Glassberg.

Pink-footed Goose, Florham Park, NJ, Feb. 24, 2013. First Morris County record. Found and photographed by Jeff Glassberg.

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Pink-footed Goose reported from Florham Park, Feb. 24, 2013

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

There is a report of a Pink-footed Goose seen at around 11:30 a.m. at the Florham Park Fields on Columbia Turnpike. Unfortunately, a truck in the field flushed the goose flock and scattered it in all directions. Troy Meadows and Black Meadows are logical relocations, but really, it could be anywhere. A photograph is forthcoming and, no, the editor did not see it.

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Greater White-fronted Goose in Lyons; Horned Grebe at Budd Lake, Feb. 23, 2013

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

This afternoon, Simon Lane reports that the Greater White-fronted Goose continues its stay at the VA Hospital grounds in Lyons. Assuming it is the same individual, this goose was first discovered at the Lyons location by Jim Gilbert on December 29, 2012 and has been frequently seen since that time.
—————
From Mike Hiotis:
Hey Jonathan – A Horned Grebe joined the Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Ring-neckeds, Buffleheads, Ruddy, Common Mergs, Red-breasted Merg., Mallards, Am. Blacks, Canada Geese and very few gulls when I passed around noon today mostly on the western end.

Mike Hiotis

Posted in Morris County, Somerset County | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Horned Grebes and waterfowl in Morris County, Feb. 23, 2013

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas
5 Horned Grebes in the distance at a misty Lake Parsippany, Feb. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

5 Horned Grebes in the distance at a misty Lake Parsippany, Feb. 23, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas).

The lakes of Morris County are beginning to thaw. Budd Lake finally melted a good portion of the ice in the center of the lake. Simon Lane and I conservatively guesstimated 5,000 Canada Geese there this morning. 1 Redhead drake continues with a growing number of Lesser Scaup, 31. 3 Common Goldeneye, 8 Common Mergansers, 10 Bufflehead and a few Ring-necked Ducks were with the crowd.
—————
Lake Parsippany’s 6 Redheads from yesterday are gone, replaced today by 5 apparently storm-driven Horned Grebes who were resting as a group in the middle of the lake, observed by Dave Bernstein and me. 125 Ring-necked Ducks 5, Lesser Scaup, 5 Ruddy Ducks and 2 American Coots also were present.
—————
The Tundra Swans continue at Lake Hopatcong, viewable from South Lakeshore Road. Please use the parking area at the restaurant on Brady Road and walk in. South Lakeshore Road is very narrow with private residences. So far, the locals have been very friendly and interested about the waterfowl. Let us continue to be courteous, polite and respectful birders. An adult Bald Eagle flew in from the north across Brady Road Bridge. A drake Redhead rested with the first group of waterfowl south of the bridge. The Canvasback drake and Common Goldeneyes seen yesterday were still present today. I attempted an accurate count of the Ring-necked Ducks at this location and came up with 760 although I still think this under-counting them.

98 more Ring-necked Ducks are at Bertrand Island where some open water exists at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, possibly the only other significant open water on Lake Hopatcong. A female Common Goldeneye was also there. Cathy Millington eBirded and photographed a Red-breasted Merganser at this location yesterday, Feb. 22.

Here are totals for Lake Hopatcong:
127 Mute Swans
3 Tundra Swans – id’able. Others are probably present as well. Viewing conditions were poor today.
Gadwall – 3
Am. Wigeon – 6
Mallard – 10
Canvasback – 1
Redhead – 1
Ring-necked Duck – 760 plus 98 more at Bertrand Island for a total of nearly 860. It will be interesting to see how the numbers change in the next few weeks.
Lesser Scaup – 10
Bufflehead – 42
Common Goldeneye – 2 plus 1 female at Bertrand Island
Hooded Merganser – 1 plus 3 at Bertrand.
Ruddy Duck – 10
Bald Eagle – 1
—————
Jamie Glydon reports 4 Common Goldeneye from footbridge at the north end of Boonton Reservoir, Friday, Feb. 22.
—————
From Susan Treesh:
Hi Jonathan – While running errands in Franklin Township today (Sat) I stopped by my favorite “earlybird” Red-winged Blackbird spot, the (non-access) D&R canal point at Demott Lane. No RWBBs – yet – they’ve been moving through my backyard – but there was a colorful adult Red-shouldered Hawk calling and flying about the evergreens that line the entrance drive. I also stopped by Negri-Nepote long enough to run down to the pond, but only Mallards were on it. I do want to report, though, that it is nearly completely open and quite full, probably due to the frozen ground. Probably Snipe around, looks perfect for them now, but I didn’t want to spook all the Mallards into flying.

Posted in Morris County, Somerset County | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Addendum to 4 Aythya spp. and Tundra Swans in Morris Co., Feb. 22, 2013

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

The location for the 700+ Ring-necked Ducks, Canvasback, Tundra Swans, etc. is the northern end of Lake Hopatcong on the Morris County side of the lake. Here is a link to the location of South Lakeside Ave. Tom Halliwell’s original post with written directions is here.

Please follow Alan Boyd’s advice if visiting this area: “South Lakeside Ave. is narrow and the houses are very close together. It’s hard to park without being in someone’s way so I would suggest parking elsewhere and walking in. I parked on Brady Rd at Nicki’s Restaurant, which was not open yet when I was there between 10 and 11.”

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

4 Aythya spp. and Tundra Swans in Morris Co., Feb. 22, 2013

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas
5 of the Redheads at Lake Parsippany, Feb. 22, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

5 of the 6 Redheads at Lake Parsippany, Feb. 22, 2013 (digiscoped by Jonathan Klizas)

From Alan Boyd:
Hi Jonathan – There was a group of 6 swans on the ice that were isolated from the others. Four were Tundra Swans but I’m not sure about the other two because they never raised thier heads. There were an amazing number of Ring-necked Ducks in the cove with the swans. I did a rough count and I estimated 700. Also present were 30+ Bufflehead, 125 Mute Swans, 2 Common Goldeneye, 4 American Wigeon, 2 Hooded Mergs, the drake Canvasback, and a drake scaup sp. Lakeside Ave is narrow and the houses are very close together. It’s hard to park without being in someone’s way so I would suggest parking elsewhere and walking in. I parked on Brady Rd at Nicki’s Restaurant, which was not open yet when I was there between 10 and 11.

Alan Boyd
—————–
I visited the site at 3:45 p.m. and had very similar numbers to Alan’s. I counted 720 Ring-necked Ducks which I believe was an under-estimate. 10 Ruddy Ducks were also present along with 7 Lesser Scaup. Heed Alan’s suggestion about parking off of the street and walking in. The person I met near the dead end was very pleasant and supportive of my viewing the waterfowl but let’s not overdo it – please.
—————–
6 Redheads at Lake Parsippany at 4:30 p.m. add to the County’s Aythya species numbers for the day (Marc Chelemer reported 3 drakes early in the morning). Throw in another 112 Ring-necked Ducks for good measure, along with a pair of American Coots, 5 Gadwall, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 1 Lesser Scaup and 300 Gulls (Ring-billed, Herring and 1 Great Black-backed).

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tundra Swans and Canvasback at Lake Hopatcong, Feb. 21, 2013

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

From Tom Halliwell:
Hi Jon – Yesterday [Feb. 20] Bob Peal found several Tundra Swans on the Morris County (Jefferson Twp.) side of Lake Hopatcong. Today he took me there and in a brief visit we noted about half a dozen Tundras among the many Mute Swans. They were in the Espanong section of Jefferson, south of the Brady Road bridge, along South Lakeside Avenue (a dead end road.) Take Howard Boulevard north through Mt. Arlington to Espanong (where Howard Boulevard changes name to Espanong Road after Minnisink Road enters from the southeast.) After Minnisink enters from the right, travel about a mile or so further on Espanong Road and turn left onto Brady Road. Go across the bridge and turn left onto South Lakeside Avenue. There is limited open water which is helpful. Among the many, many Ring-necked Ducks I noticed one drake Canvasback as well a several of the more typical species. The area appears to be all private property.

All the best,
Tom Halliwell

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Common Goldeneye, Vultures, Feb. 21, 2013

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

From Tim Vogel:
Lake Parsippany – about 80% open
Common Goldeneye 1 (male)
Hooded Merganser 2
Ring-necked Duck 50+
Gadwall 2
Canada Goose +
Gulls +

Greystone Park Property – intersection of Central Ave. and Collins Rd. – 9am.
The Vultures previously reported roosting in the area were observed at this location. 114+ Vultures (mostly Turkeys but plenty of Blacks) on the ground. Don’t know if birds on the ground are roosting!
A Red-tailed hawk was sitting in a tree above this menagerie.

Tim Vogel
Denville

Posted in Morris County | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Various field notes, Feb. 20, 2013

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Jonathan Klizas

The huge blackbird flocks continue in the River Rd./Opie Rd. area of Hillsborough/Branchburg Townships. I watched this morning at 7:00, parked at the power line cut near South Branch and River Roads in Hillsborough, as thousands of mostly Common Grackles flew from the east-southeast towards the stubble fields at the power lines.  Wild Turkeys on River Road and an adult Bald Eagle at the Opie Road Bridge were also in attendance.

Mike Britt reported Wild Turkeys, Killdeer and an American Kestrel at Florham Park Fields. There were no raptors at Black Meadows in Hanover Township.

For those familiar with Troy Meadows in Parsippany, the old, decayed wooden boardwalk that follows the power line through the marsh (the old boardwalk where a few of us have fallen through rotten boards into the marsh below, covering our clothes with creosote, then returning to work having to explain that to co-workers – I don’t know why I would know anything about that) has been replaced with some type of heavy duty plastic construction materials. While this is good news for accessing hard to reach sections of Troy Meadows, the problem remains as to how to get to the boardwalk without bushwhacking through the marsh.

Pine Siskins continue to appear at various feeders in Morris and Somerset Counties.

Ring-necked Duck numbers have increased at the Van Cleef Rd. Ponds in Franklin Township. Jeff Ellerbusch counted 68 this afternoon.

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m., Sunday March 10, 18 days away.

The Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20, 4 weeks from today.

There is a chance of a snow storm on Sunday.

Posted in Morris County, Somerset County | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment